Matthias Schatz
Studio Lead and Creative Consultant with extensive experience across ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, and eyewear. I combine hands-on creative work with operational leadership, having led international design teams and overseen entire collection cycles from concept through to showroom. Skilled in streamlining workflows, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and adapting quickly to varied studio cultures and leadership styles. I’m passionate about building agile, purpose-driven teams that balance creative ambition with clarity and structure—delivering thoughtful, brand-aligned results. Available for freelance or interim roles in studio management, concept development, or creative leadership.
Reporting directly to founder and CEO Jean Bousquet, my mission is to honor the rich heritage and DNA of Cacharel while carefully updating it for a modern sensibility. The goal is to breathe new life into the iconic brand, ensuring its commercial viability, and positioning it as an accessible option within the present-day fashion landscape.
Design, Product Development, and Brand Consulting for International Brands FABRIQUE X MATTHIAS SCHATZ | 2022 - 2023 Led a design collaboration resulting in two co-branded capsule collections for the Chinese brand FABRIQUE. The collections reflected my personal creative vision and drew on my professional experience, while being specifically tailored to the demands of the upscale Chinese market. RAGDOLL LOS ANGELES | 2023 Provided design consulting on ready-to-wear and accessories for this casual American womenswear brand, focusing on enhancing their laid-back aesthetic. DESIGUAL | 2019 - 2021 Collaborated with Desigual, the Barcelona-based label known for its vibrant prints and casual, free-spirited style. Hired by founder and Creative Director Thomas Meyer, my mission was to refresh the brand’s heritage, attracting a younger audience without compromising the Desigual aesthetic or alienating its loyal customer base. DUNHILL X MHA | 2021 Developed design concepts for a hard luxury product line as part of this collaboration between Dunhill and MHA.
Optical Frames / Sunglasses / Runway • Reporting to CEO. • Responsible for creative vision, design and development of two eyewear collections per year (220 SKUs ). • Art Direction: Advertisement, lookbooks, promotional tools, packaging, exhibition stands. • Liaison and communications with production and sales teams. • Multiplying sales value by 4 and revenue by 5 between 2015 and 2017.
Ready to Wear / Leather Goods • Reporting to CEOs and Creative Directors • In charge of core-items ready-to-wear and leather goods. • Participation in the design and development of the runway collections. • Generating ideas, concepts, designs. • Lead and follow-up fittings. • Overseeing fabric sourcing and development, fittings, showroom presentations. • Building and training the creative team and managing assignments. • Managing, coach and counsel the product team • Liaising with factories to ensure product is developed through to production in line with initial concept.
Contemporary WRTW/Accessories • Reporting to CEO • Responsible for overall direction and design of the company’s product lines under license. • Overseeing all design activities across product categories including Woven, Knit and Accessories as well as leading the development of design Print & Color, Embellishment and Fabrics. • Creating five deliveries per season, incl. knit / 70 stores / up to € 80 million in annual sales. • Managing creative teams and product teams in Paris and Tokyo. • Providing recommendations for Art Direction, PR and Branded Environment.
Golf / Tennis / Fitness / Ski & Snowboard / Swim / Leisure • Consulting the design and product teams in Osaka and Tokyo on the lines Sport Futur and Le Coq Sportif. • Design from research to development • Reviewing and signing off samples and swatches • Visit of trade shows. • Regular travels to Head Offices in Japan
Design / Product Development / Europe and Asia • COURRÈGES, Paris Couture/Luxury RTW/Menswear • ITOKIN, Japan Premium RTW/Leather goods • LOUIS LONDON, Ger. Mid Market RTW • FTM, Hong Kong Menswear • GIN TONIC, Ger. Denim/Sportswear
Matthias is a great designer. I had the pleasure of working with him at Courrèges Eyewear for several years, and he lead by example. He is highly creative, always kept the team motivated and is open to discuss new ideas and suggestions. We developped a number of highly successful collections. It was a great pleasure to work with him. I'm at your disposal if you need more info. Kind regards Nathalie