Stephanie Schultz brings fashion to new role as Pfister’s Artist in Residence

The historic Pfister Hotel recently announced that Stephanie Schultz has been selected as its next Artist in Residence.

As the program celebrates its 10th anniversary, Schultz, a Milwaukee-area fashion designer, will work in the hotel’s lobby-level Artist’s Studio for one year beginning April 1, 2018. She is succeeding current Pfister Artist in Residence and tintype photographer, Margaret Muza.

“I am thrilled to be the next Artist in Residence as The Pfister celebrates the program’s 10th anniversary. It will be an honor to share my enthusiasm for fashion design with a community that I love,” said Schultz. “What I value above all else is learning through experience, and my time in this residency will certainly teach me a lot. I tell stories with my garments, specializing in historically-inspired couture, and what I learn through my emotions and inspiration is channeled into the fabric. As The Pfister Hotel’s next Artist in Residence, I cannot wait to use this opportunity to share my work with a broader audience and create truly unique pieces inspired by the 125-year history of this iconic hotel.”

Schultz’s work is often inspired by antique art and architecture, making The Pfister Hotel a perfect fit for her next collection. As an artist, she is no stranger to exploring new styles and designs. Her work has transitioned from counter-culture streetwear to couture and avant-garde.

In 2005, Schultz began her fashion label, Silversark, as a way to bring Japanese street fashion to a Western audience. Recently, she has experimented with fashion elements from the Tudor-era through the Roaring ’20s, and translated them into contemporary designs. Through her passion and dedication for fashion design, Schultz has unveiled a number of different lines and collections under Silversark.

As part of her residency and as an homage to The Pfister Hotel’s invaluable Victorian art collection, Schultz will spend her yearlong residency designing a 16- to 20-piece fashion line inspired by the subjects in the hotel’s expansive art collection. This will include photographing, compositing and printing replicas of select hotel paintings on fabric to create one-of-a-kind wearable art.

Her residency will culminate in a fashion show, presenting the full collection in The Pfister Hotel’s Imperial Ballroom. The final piece of her collection will serve as a Legacy Piece for the hotel, which will go on permanent display in the property.

“The Pfister Hotel has always been a strong advocate for the arts, celebrating the works of painters, photographers, designers and more throughout its history. We are proud to celebrate our local artists and their incredible work as we commemorate The Pfister Hotel’s 125 years of prestige and commitment to Milwaukee, as well as this significant milestone for the Pfister’s Artist-in-Residence program,” said Tim Smith, general manager of The Pfister Hotel. “It’s an exciting time to welcome Stephanie to The Pfister Hotel and we cannot wait to see what she creates in the studio.”

Schultz was one of six finalists included in a four-week public voting period. In addition to the public vote via Facebook and in-person ballots, a selection committee, consisting of leaders in the local arts community, made the final decision in choosing the next Artist in Residence.

For the third time in the history of the Artist-in-Residence program, Schultz was also selected as the winner of the public vote. The public vote winner typically receives the opportunity to display his or her work in a solo exhibit at Gallerie M inside the InterContinental Milwaukee, also owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

Because Schultz was also selected as the winner of the public vote, the public vote runner-up, Alice Wilson, a local living statue performer and costume artist, will receive the honor to showcase her work at Gallerie M this year.

Both artists will receive a $300 gift certificate to Utrecht Art Supply, located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. All finalists from this year and years past will be offered additional opportunities to show their work at future Pfister-sponsored events.