Stefi Talman
Encyclopedia
Stefanie Thalman known as Stefi Talman ( * January 3. 1958 in Zurich
) is a Swiss-born shoe designer of Eurasian descent.
, where she also spent her childhood. Her mother, Regula Nydegger is a rhythmic teacher from Switzerland. Her father Leung Kam Tim is a mathematician from Hong Kong
, who is now living in France. When Talman was about four years old, her mother married Swiss painter Roland Thalmann, from whom she received her last name.
In 1975 Talman studied for a year at the Zurich University of the Arts (HGKZ). Afterwards she started a three year apprenticeship as a shoemaker and finished her education with a further training for cut-technique at the Ars Sutoria institute for shoe design in Milan
.
crossing the instep at an angle. This creation, which quickly became a fashion sensation and has been frequently imitated, awoke the global fashion industry’s interest and introduced the Stefi Talman label to an international clientele. The label ceased production in 1986 after seven collections and several changes of producers and manufacturers.
Talman started to work as a freelancer for different European and Asian shoe companies, such as Charles Jourdan
, Free Lance, Fiorucci
and the Central Group
in Bangkok
.
1994 saw the designer re-launch her label Stefi Talman in Zürich. Since then Talman has worked closely with a shoe manufacturer located near Venice
,
Italy. In 1999 she expanded the label with a new range of wallets, bags and accessories. In 2001 Stefi Talman opened her own boutique in Zürich, Switzerland.
for the exhibition “Oriental Spirit in contemporary Zürich Flats“
1995 mentor of the degree program “Jewelry And Gadgetry” at the Zurich University of the Arts.
1997 Creatures Comfort, exhibition of fashion design and art, Zurich
1997–1998 teaching assignment at the School of Design of Pforzheim University in Germany
1998 Stefi Talman shoes were shown at the exhibition “Objet Du Désir” at the Zurich museum Bellerive
2002 Acquisition by the Bundesamt für Kultur of 16 Stefi Talman designs as a loan for the design collection of the Museum of Design Zurich
2007 Stefi Talman joins the executive committee of the Netzdk, the alumni organisation of the Zurich University of the arts
„HOT LOVE - Swiss Punk and Wave“ by Lurker Grand, Edition Patrick Frey
„Swissness, 43 Helvetische Errungenschaften“ by Klaus Leuschel, Niggli Verlag
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
) is a Swiss-born shoe designer of Eurasian descent.
Life and Background
Stefi Talman was born 1958 in Zurich, SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, where she also spent her childhood. Her mother, Regula Nydegger is a rhythmic teacher from Switzerland. Her father Leung Kam Tim is a mathematician from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, who is now living in France. When Talman was about four years old, her mother married Swiss painter Roland Thalmann, from whom she received her last name.
In 1975 Talman studied for a year at the Zurich University of the Arts (HGKZ). Afterwards she started a three year apprenticeship as a shoemaker and finished her education with a further training for cut-technique at the Ars Sutoria institute for shoe design in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
.
Label
In 1979 Talman opened her first atelier in Zürich, where she produced a small range of handmade shoes. The pieces, striking for their lightness and unusual colouring, were considered innovative at the time and led to a collaboration with a bigger distributor. In 1980 she showed her first collection under the label of Stefi Talman. Among the only four creations, which were available in a wide range of colours, was a shoe called ZIP. A half-boot, with a zipperZipper
A zipper is a commonly used device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric...
crossing the instep at an angle. This creation, which quickly became a fashion sensation and has been frequently imitated, awoke the global fashion industry’s interest and introduced the Stefi Talman label to an international clientele. The label ceased production in 1986 after seven collections and several changes of producers and manufacturers.
Talman started to work as a freelancer for different European and Asian shoe companies, such as Charles Jourdan
Charles Jourdan
Charles Jourdan was a French fashion designer known best for his designs of women's shoes starting in 1919. His name reached its greatest notoriety in the years since his death under the leadership of his sons, first with an emphasis on the use of innovative materials and later for more...
, Free Lance, Fiorucci
Fiorucci
Fiorucci is an Italian fashion label founded by Elio Fiorucci in 1967. The first shop exposed Milan to the styles of Swinging London and American classics such as the T-shirt and jeans. By the late 1970s and early 1980s this would be reversed, and the New York store would become famous for the...
and the Central Group
Central Group
The Central Group of Companies is a family-owned conglomerate holding company in Thailand that is involved in retailing, real estate, hotels and restaurants...
in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
.
1994 saw the designer re-launch her label Stefi Talman in Zürich. Since then Talman has worked closely with a shoe manufacturer located near Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
,
Italy. In 1999 she expanded the label with a new range of wallets, bags and accessories. In 2001 Stefi Talman opened her own boutique in Zürich, Switzerland.
Style
Talman still produces the main part of her lasts herself. Her distinctive style shows through functional design features, clear lines, colorful accentuation and contrasts. Talman uses high quality materials, such as calf-fur and goat- and calfskin, with a preference for unusual prints and surfaces.Other activities and exhibitions
1992 curatorship with Caro NiedererCaro Niederer
Caro Niederer works in a variety of media. Her work encompasses techniques such as painting, photography, video as well as silk tapestries. Niederer is, along with Pipilotti Rist and Sylvie Fleury, one of the most popular contemporary female Swiss artists...
for the exhibition “Oriental Spirit in contemporary Zürich Flats“
1995 mentor of the degree program “Jewelry And Gadgetry” at the Zurich University of the Arts.
1997 Creatures Comfort, exhibition of fashion design and art, Zurich
1997–1998 teaching assignment at the School of Design of Pforzheim University in Germany
1998 Stefi Talman shoes were shown at the exhibition “Objet Du Désir” at the Zurich museum Bellerive
2002 Acquisition by the Bundesamt für Kultur of 16 Stefi Talman designs as a loan for the design collection of the Museum of Design Zurich
Museum of Design Zürich
The Museum of Design, Zurich is a museum for industrial design, visual communication, architecture, and craft in Zurich, Switzerland.- Overview :...
2007 Stefi Talman joins the executive committee of the Netzdk, the alumni organisation of the Zurich University of the arts
Mentioned in the following publications
„1977“ by Pietro Mattioli, Edition Patirck Frey„HOT LOVE - Swiss Punk and Wave“ by Lurker Grand, Edition Patrick Frey
„Swissness, 43 Helvetische Errungenschaften“ by Klaus Leuschel, Niggli Verlag