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Chloe Schnell sports bright purple hair tucked beneath a stylish orange beanie and wears winged, orange eyeshadow to match. Schnell is the creator of SCHNELLMODE and curator of “Herstory of SCHNELLMODE,” Art in the Atrium’s newest exhibit.

“My last name is Schnell, which means ‘speed’ or ‘fast’ in German,” Schnell explained. “Since I’m trying to destroy fast-fashion, I’m replacing it with SCHNELLMODE.”

SCHNELLMODE is Schnell’s fashion label that has been making upcycled clothing since 2011. Schnell decided to call the exhibit in downtown Syracuse a “Herstory” to honor the women in her life, like her mother and grandmother, both seamstresses who taught her how to make clothes. From them, Schnell learned the value of creating with her hands.

“A lot of designers don’t even make clothes, and I definitely made that a point from when I was pretty young to learn how to do the making side,” Schnell said.

Schnell’s exhibit gives viewers a glimpse into her ever-changing design tastes. One panel at the exhibit is the “Egg Collection,” a 2015 line created for Syracuse Fashion Week, inspired by a conversation between Schnell and her chef brother about the texture of eggs.

Another panel includes “The Curtain Dress,” a more recent creation and the centerpiece of the latest exhibit, inspired by “Collide,” a break up song by RAWRA.

The Atrium typically showcases non-cumulative shows, but “Herstory of SCHNELLMODE” is an exception. Each collection has been introduced on a different date beginning on Aug. 2, and the exhibit will culminate in a fashion show revealing Schnell’s new collection on Sept. 20.

Schnell is inspired by Project Runway’s Christian Siriano, the space-age aesthetics of Pierre Cardin and Madeline Pendleton’s sustainable fashion brand, Tunnel Vision. Schnell’s biggest influence, however, is “ambiguous inspirations,” or visual representations of everyday scenes and objects; her designs do not represent a singular time period or style.

“There was this time where I was doing a show, and the people advertised me as a pop art designer,” Schnell said. “I was like, ‘I guess I’m the pop art designer!’”

Lars Jendruschewitz | Photo Editor

In her exhibit, Chloe Schnell highlights several of her past collections. Her 2019 collection, “Idiomatic Aphorisms,” draws on common English sayings.

This interpretation of Schnell’s style is apparent in the exhibit’s “Idiomatic Aphorisms” display, which is inspired by popular bizarre sayings that we don’t know the meaning of. One of these is “Apple Of My Eye,” represented by a shapely, leather apple core dress.

Koi Munyua, one of the models for SCHNELLMODE’s collaboration with upstate New York artist Tony Washington, said she’s fond of how Schnell approaches her work.

“It’s really inspiring to be around somebody who creates from their mind, who made this all a reality just by drawing and sketching it,” Munyua said.

Jason Ngo is one of Schnell’s longtime friends. They met six years ago at a model casting in Syracuse, and he was drawn to her because she broke the rules.

Lars Jendruschewitz | Photo Editor

“Herstory of SCHNELLMODE” is one of Art in the Atrium’s few collective shows. Schnell’s main goal with her exhibition is to honor those who have helped her on her journey.

“Everybody was wearing black, she was the only person that wore white,” Ngo said. “Immediately, I turned over to her and was like, ‘Whatever is going on over here, I’m digging this vibe.’”

Wearing white as an expression of individuality is nothing new for Schnell. The “White Winter Collection,” a 2013 line displayed at the exhibit, is a way to rebel against the classic fashion rule that forbids white after labor day, Schnell said.

Kerry Dunn is a self-described “stage manager” for the upcoming fashion show. She said it’s been great to surround herself with this community and have an interesting group of models and collaborators.

Schnell said her main goal with “Herstory of SCHNELLMODE” is to honor all the artists, models and members of her community who have gotten her to where she is today.

“All I can do is hope that people see my heart and where I’m coming from,” Schnell said. “I am for bringing love back into fashion.”

Published on September 10, 2024 at 10:53 pm

Contact Kacie: kcmosche@syr.edu