SEZ
PRÊT-A-COUTURE BY SARAH ERAZO ZINDLER
Sarah Erazo Zindler is Ecuadorian-German and both Creative Director and Founder of the prêt-à-couture brand SEZ. Born in Ecuador, Sarah studied Fashion Technology & Design in Paris and later went on to work in Barcelona, specialising in bridal fashion.
In 2020 – right in the middle of the pandemic – Sarah started SEZ out of an urge to create. She began by changing her Instagram profile to the brand profile and creating a small capsule collection to sell made-to-measure.
After just a few months, she had the opportunity to open her own atelier, and since then she has also managed to sell on international platforms. She currently also has an ongoing project with Nordstrom USA.
I found Sarah over Instagram, but we have had a few conversations together, and I find her and her designs incredibly inspirational – especially the fact that she juggles being a mum and making her business passion thrive at the same time
Paradis Collections
A ZURICH ICON
Paradis Collections was founded by Stefania Samadelli in 1991. Now, just over 35 years later, Paradis Collections is truly an icon in Zurich’s fashion landscape.
Stefania says that, for her, clothing is a form of language, of identity, and of statement. She proudly creates pieces that can be worn from morning to night.
I have personally known Paradis Collections – formerly paradis des innocents – for over 10 years now. I love the crisp, clean fabrics with which Stefania works. They simply never date, and I find myself wearing her pieces again and again. In fact, I wore a 10-year-old blouse from the original paradis des innocents just this past New Year’s Eve! Not only do the pieces not date, they have managed to retain their original crispness over time – this is truly unique.
Since 1 December 2025, Paradis Collections now has a new home in Zurich’s trendy Binz quarter – Grubenstrasse 8. A space that reflects the brand’s modern, understated elegance.
For more information see:
Avell
A NEW TIMELESS LABEL
Avell is a super new label – created in 2025 by Ana Pequito. Ana is Portuguese but lives in Switzerland. For years, she felt she was divided between two worlds – fashion and healthcare.
However, through Avell she is now closing that divide and allowing herself to live in both worlds at once.
All Avell pieces are made in Portugal and produced in small quantities to ensure more conscious and sustainable consumption.
I love the feel of the fabrics; every piece is super soft yet looks crisp on the body. The collection is truly timeless and can be worn again and again over many years – either as a set or easily combined with other favourite wardrobe pieces.
Ana explained to me that she wanted to create a brand that was both elegant and practical – one that could be handed down from generation to generation. My daughter has already had her eye on my personal pieces.
To discover the full collection, see:
Anastasia McNeal
ART YOU CAN WEAR
Wow – every now and again you come across a truly fun, arty story, and I absolutely love the one about Anastasia McNeal.
A native of Pennsylvania, Anastasia grew up in a small town where her sense of style emerged astonishingly early. Before the age of five, she was already assembling her own outfits, fearlessly mixing clashing colours and unexpected patterns.
She entertained herself by inventing styling stories with accessories, and one of her earliest treasures was her mother’s jewellery box – a trove of brooches set with colourful stones and whimsical animal motifs. While studying in Washington, D.C., Anastasia began collecting and archiving objects that, at the time, were not particularly popular. After years tucked away in storage, she revisited her collection in 2019 and started transforming these forgotten pieces into jewellery – initially just for herself.
But her work soon caught the attention of a prominent Toronto-based jewellery collector and author specialising in costume jewellery. That recognition gave her the encouragement to expand her practice of sourcing, reimagining, and breathing new life into found objects.
I’m completely taken by her wonderfully original creations. Each piece feels like a tiny artwork. In my opinion, one of the best ways to express your true personality is to wear a unique piece of jewellery you truly love.
For more, check out her Instagram account
