Antonia is 23 years old, a self-taught designer, and the founder of the label Bad Stitches. But her work goes far beyond fashion. Her designs are raw, asymmetrical, and deliberately unconventional — a clear departure from traditional crochet aesthetics. What may appear as visual chaos at first glance is, in reality, a deeply personal expression of experience, resilience, and identity.
The origin of her work lies in one of the most difficult periods of her life. During a severe illness that left her unable to walk and confined to bed, crochet became her escape. About a year later, she was diagnosed with a benign heart tumor called a myxoma and had to face high-risk surgery. The name “6ad Stitches” comes from the six scars she was left with — like “6 bad stitches.”
From an early age, Antonia knew she wanted to work creatively and independently. But it was her time in the hospital that truly shifted her perspective. “It made me realize how quickly everything can change — and that I don’t want to hold back.” Around the same time, she began sharing her work on social media. The response came quickly. People connected with her aesthetic and wanted to wear her pieces. What started as an outlet turned into a vision.
Without a traditional fashion background, Antonia developed her style free from rules. This independence continues to define her work today. Perfection is not her goal — instead, she focuses on honesty, emotion, and expression. Her pieces are allowed to feel restless, unpredictable, alive.
She rarely draws inspiration from clearly defined sources. Most of her ideas emerge from daydreaming and emotional states. One of her most recent and powerful influences has been her pregnancy and the birth of her son. She describes the experience as a form of rebirth — a feeling that also shaped her piece “Rebirth Bag.” Motherhood has shifted her perspective entirely: everything feels new, more intense, constantly evolving. This sense of transformation flows directly into her creative process.
The creation of Bad Stitches happened organically. Even during her illness, she began sharing her work online — and quickly captured attention. At the same time, her life was marked by uncertainty. “I didn’t even know if I would survive — and that’s when I realized: it’s now or never.”
Today, she faces the challenges that come with building an independent label: balancing creativity with business, managing production, communication, and everything behind the scenes. There is also constant pressure to adapt. But for Antonia, authenticity always comes first.
The beginning was far from easy. With no budget, no connections, and no industry background, she moved to Berlin and built everything from scratch on her own. This experience forced her to trust her instincts and find her own path — something that still defines her work.
Her goal is clear: she wants people to feel confident and unapologetically themselves when wearing Bad Stitches. Her pieces are not meant to blend in — they are meant to stand out. Body positivity plays a central role. Many of her designs are adjustable and made to work for different body types. Clothing, in her view, should not hide the body, but highlight it.
At the same time, there are no rules. Anyone can wear anything. Whether on stage, at festivals, or on the red carpet — her pieces thrive on being reinterpreted in different contexts.
A key element of her work is uniqueness. Each piece carries its own identity. Small imperfections and raw details are intentional — they make a design feel alive. For Antonia, fashion becomes most meaningful when it turns personal: “It’s like an extension of yourself.”
New technologies like 3D printing have also influenced her perspective. They open up new possibilities in shape and structure, while standing in contrast to her handmade approach. While crochet allows her to work intuitively and spontaneously, 3D design requires precise planning. This contrast itself has become a source of inspiration.
What drives her forward is not just passion, but her past. Experiencing how fragile life can be has changed her mindset. Time is valuable — and she acts on her ideas immediately. Even during her pregnancy, she remained creatively active, launched new work, and presented at Berlin Fashion Week — just two days before giving birth to her son.
Her advice to young creatives is simple and direct: “Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Just start.” No big budget, no connections, no detailed plan — what matters is taking action and staying consistent.
And if her brand had to be described in three words? One thing is certain: not minimal, not predictable, not traditional.
Bad Stitches is the opposite of playing it safe — and that is exactly where its strength lies.
Bad Stitches is the opposite of playing it safe — and that is exactly where its strength lies.