Ursula Schneid-Funk, a dedicated hobby fashion designer, combines her love for sewing with sustainable practices, creating a unique personal brand in Cologne.
Ursula Schneid-Funk, a passionate hobby fashion designer based in Nippes, has cultivated a creative spirit over her more than 60 years of sewing and design experience. She discovered her love for fashion at a young age and has since transformed her interests into a thriving personal brand called “Cologne Virgins.” The name of her label draws from the rich local lore surrounding Saint Ursula, symbolizing both the historical and youthful essence of the city of Cologne.
Born as the youngest of five siblings, Schneid-Funk began her sewing journey at about 13 or 14 years old when she first learned to navigate an electric sewing machine owned by her mother. This early exposure to the craft instilled a lifelong passion in her that has accompanied her through various facets of her career. Despite training as an office manager and working for prominent companies like Felten & Guilleaume and 4711, as well as the Ärzteblatt publishing house, she has continued to create and design garments that reflect her unique perspective on fashion.
Speaking about her creative process, Schneid-Funk noted, “I sometimes work with ready-made fabrics that I reassemble in an upcycling manner, like African cotton.” Her approach encompasses sustainability and innovation, as she finds inspiration in everyday settings like fabric stores and markets. Her fashion repertoire includes a diverse array of women’s clothing, from vibrant suits and summer dresses to blouses and kimonos. Notably, she has carved a niche for herself with unique designs, such as dresses featuring diagonal zippers that allow for versatile combinations of tops and bottoms.
Schneid-Funk’s venture into the fashion show circuit began with her debut presentation in 2012 at the “Bluna-Keller” in Nippes, followed by another showcase at the Museum Ludwig café in 2013. Most recently, she participated in the Nikolausmarkt on Schillplatz, marking her first appearance with her brand at this local event.
While she remains dedicated to her fashion label, Schneid-Funk’s interests extend beyond sewing and design. Alongside her husband, Fritz Funk, she actively engages in multiple pursuits, including gym training and music, as she plays the keyboard and aspires to learn the guitar. She also has plans to open a cultural café in Nippes, which she envisions as a space where fashion and culture can coexist and thrive.
With her enduring passion for fashion and a commitment to creativity, Ursula Schneid-Funk continues to be an inspiring figure in Cologne’s vibrant artistic landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
