with love from karin

Collection 2011

2011-02-19T07:49:00.000-08:00

I did a photo shoot of a range that I worked on in 2010. I designed my own prints, and screen printed them onto fabric by hand.

Michaela Verity was the photographer (www.michaelaverity.com) and sisters Georgia and Jessye were the models.

The M29 is my favourite bus

2009-11-16T05:10:00.000-08:00

On weekends i like taking the M29 and go wherever it takes me. It goes past gorlitzer park, through oranien str. and almost straight to one of my favourite second hand shops near wittenbergplatz.

The best thing is when you get one of the old retro M29's. They're extra bumpy, but the interior deco makes up for it. They are smelly but pretty.

I always sit upstairs in the M29. my favourite seat is second row from the stairs, next to the windows, on the left. I know i should probably try out other seats too, but i just love that one so much. It brings me joy to sit in that seat.

i've been meaning to take a picture of my favourite bus. maybe i will soon.

Biking in Berlin

2009-05-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

Today (actually yesterday) I was sent on my first cycling mission in Berlin. I had never had such a thrilling as well as scary experience in my life!

My mission was to deliver a very important package to the post office, before it closed in 10 minutes. I almost failed. Not only was the bicycle slightly big for me (for a moment I thought I wouldn't actually be able to sit on the seat, and I would have to ride standing up the whole way!) but the brakes came in the form of pedaling backwards! Luckily I accidentally figured that out on my first stretch.

Biking in Berlin is scary and awesome at the same time. On the one hand, you have to navigate your way through tiny children also on bikes, and lame pedestrians who take up the whole side walk. Its awesome because it goes so fast, and there are very few hills and you don't even get tired.

I was also almost in a scooter accident. A lady tried to go up the sidewalk and accelerated quite dramatically. Mere centimeters in front of me, she lost control of the bike and crashed into a wall.

Luckily she was okay. But I was scared, and upset.

Finally I reached my destination, and although I was 15 minutes late, the man at the post office was still there, and I could send the package off.

I would really like to have a bike of my own one day, here in Berlin.

Goodnight

karinberlin

2009-02-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

I love how pop up stores are the new thing in Cape Town.

I am in Berlin. I arrived here on February 13, according to Jan Junker 'a lucky day, out of spite.' I think it was indeed a lucky day, as I slept quite well on the plane, and managed to find my way to my new home in Stresemannstr quite easily. I also managed to carry my big, black, over 20kg bag all by myself.

The sun also shone, which I found very welcoming. A rare thing as I've now realised, having only seen the sun twice since I got here. I've also seen real snow for the first time in my life! The day after I got here, I was eating scrambled eggs with rye bread, and saw the snow from the kitchen window. It was very exciting, although I got over it quite quickly when I actually had to go outside and walk in the snow. I find it much too cold here (between -6 and 3 degrees most of the time) and I don't have proper shoes. Yesterday I also discovered that my shoe has a hole in it, which is really cold when it gets wet.

But besides the cold there are many pros to Berlin. It is extremely safe here. I have a month ticket which luckily I got at a reduced price, which means I can go anywhere at any time on either the Tram, Metro bus, S Bahn or U Bahn (underground). Anthony and the Johnsons are playing in April (I haven't however found out how much tickets are yet, I doubt I can afford it.) Beer is cheap, 45 cents for 500ml. (Although in the bars its 2eu mostly.)

Berlin feels SO much bigger than Cape Town, even though, surprisingly, the population statistics of Cape Town and Berlin are basically the same. Otherwise, I have a very nice room, for the first two weeks, and a very friendly, French, Mitbewhonerin who invites me out to do things. Yesterday, at some person's get together there was an Italian girl, Brasilian girl, French people, and me, South African. Apparently it is like that here all the time.

People seem to be very interested in the politics/safety in South Africa. I find politics extremely boring, but I nevertheless contacted Sebastian asap to give me the break down of South African politics, so that I at least know what to say to people when they ask. (and don't seem too much like an ignorant fashion designer)

Bis später liebe leute!
Karin

Current News

2009-01-30T04:38:00.000-08:00

The current news is that I'm most probably going to Berlin. What I actually wanted to say, is that there are two blog entries on the way. One will be called 'Juz Friends' and the other 'From the Heart, Guy.'

I just thought I'd update you with this tantalizing information.

Oh by the way, the colour for THE YEAR 2009 is....MIMOSA! yes yes yes! So get your Mimosa coloured socks out and wear them like a real fashionista!

the private life of

2008-11-18T10:57:00.000-08:00

So! Here is my most recent photo shoot of my range outfits. All in all the experience was pretty stressful, but it was well worth it.

Thanks to Rex the male model (he's been in Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger shows overseas) so I feel very privileged to have had him on board! (wow, he's touched Ralph Lauren's clothes!)

It is all about: Funny Face glasses from Julia's party
David Attenborough
Amazing location (Joerg's house)
looking disturbing
canning yourself

Men's clothing, styling and set, all by me (Karin Hoffmann)
Make-up - Christy Agenbag
Models - Inge and Rex
Photographer - Theunis Stofberg
Photo editing - Sebastian Borckenhagen (master of photoshop and editing in general)

and some of the colours of the photo's don't quite match...but I'm too lazy to change it now.

Don't Call Me Baby

2008-11-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

I just couldn't resist posting these hot (model) pictures of some of my range items.

Photo shoot and Styling: Abigail Rands
Designer of Range: Karin Hoffmann

"Who would dress like that?" said a certain shocked and baffled Sebastian Borckenhagen.

"Lots of people," I replied with insouciance.

"Well, everyone would just like LOOK at you if you wear that!" said Sebastian in uncompromising plainsong.

"Well, that's what people want." I replied.

"Oh" said Sebastian wisely.

Goodnight

Poll Results Inconclusive

2008-11-03T13:42:00.000-08:00

So Sebastian has kindly notified me that my poll has closed and the results are inconclusive. Hopefully when my blog gains status, I will be able to get a more satisfying result.

So Ashly wants the Salmon Rose pants (she emailed me and told me that's what she voted for)

Ian certainly wants the Fuschia Red pants (apparently hardcore rappers wear them, so Ian also wants to be like them and so on)

Sebastian voted for the Canary Yellow I think (well thats what i told him to vote for maybe)

And that only leaves one last person who knows of my blog, Ma'or. So he must have voted for those Lucite Green ones.

Well wish me luck in my future polls, I suspect they could become quite useful one day.

When I am lost in the mists of time I...

2008-10-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from the book I'm half reading when I sometimes have time:

The Hitchikerers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Chapter 25 of Life, the Universe and Everything.

The white Krikkit warship was parked amongst the stark grey crags of the asteroid, alternately flaring under arclights or disappearing in shadow. The blackness of the shaped shadows cast by the hard rocks danced together in wild choreography as the aclights swept around them.

The eleven white robots were bearing, in procession, the Wikkit Key out into the middle of a circle of swinging lights. The Wikkit Key was rebuilt. Its components shone and glittered: the Steel Pillar (or Marvin's leg) of Strength and Power, the Gold Bail (or heart of the infitnite Improbability Drive) of Prosperity, the Perspex Pillar (or Argubuthon Scepter Award for the Most Gratuitous Use OF The Word 'Fuck' In A Serious Screenplay) and the now reconstituted Wooden Pillar (or Ashes of a burnt stump signifying the death of Enlish cricket) of Nature and Spirituality.

'I suppose there is nothing we can do at this point?' asked Arthur nervously.

'No,' sighed Slartibartfast.

The expression of disappointment which crossed Arthur's face was a complete failure, and, since he was standing obscured by shadow, he allowed it to collapse into one of relief.

'Pity,' he said.

'We have no weapons,' said Slartibartfast, 'stupidly.'

'Damn,' said Arthur very quietly.

Ford said nothing.

Trillian said nothing, but in a peculiarly thoughtful and distinct way.

why start a blog at all?

2008-10-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

i want to start a blog because it seems like THE trendy thing to do.

many fashion designers have blogs.
many comic artists have blogs.
many many people have blogs.

i too want a blog