Annabelle Hutter: Pushing the envelope
Clocking On...
A busy schedule means a base in Zurich but a global workplace for Säntis Textiles’ Annabelle Hutter, as she helps brands and manufacturers further their circular ambitions.
6.30am
I make a cup of tea and get all my random thoughts out in my journal. I listen to the Financial Times podcast while going through my first emails in the kitchen. There are also the mornings where nothing goes my way: I don’t want to get out of bed, resulting in panic mode. But even if I have two hours or two minutes, I have perfected my signature dishevelled look (often wearing my RCO100 recycled cotton pieces). I prefer not to eat breakfast because I hate being full in the morning. Sometimes I make a smoothie if I am feeling peckish.
8.30am
Living in the centre of Zürich means I commute with tram or by foot. I like to walk with some upbeat music bumping in my headphones. I love Diana Ross’ ‘The Boss’ or Elton John’s ‘Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters’. I usually find myself side stepping along the pavement or singing out loud, which is pretty much forbidden in Switzerland. Nevertheless, I think Swiss people can learn a thing or two from my not-so-Swiss quirks.
10.00am
When I’m not in NYC for a show, visiting spinners in Italy or hanging out with my friends at Kipas where our RCO100 machine is, I participate in online meetings. My favourite meetings are in person. No matter what it is about, these are where I learn most. I’m often busy trying to navigate the world of running a business and fighting misogynists, but I thank my lucky stars that my fundamental work is creative. I get to develop products and strategies with brands and suppliers who are adopting RCO100 fabrics/yarns/fibres/machinery into their supply chains. These include Mara Hoffman, some under the Kering group, Eco Alf, Patagonia and PVH, to name a few.
I am working on a marketing overhaul of our branding. I’m trying – in tandem with my dad’s newly released machine technology – to bring the spotlight back on the real textile OGs who truly change our industry for the better through not only innovation but also familial values. I constantly strive to push the envelope to incite more change so it is time for an elevated marketing look to reflect that.
12.30pm
For lunch I like to eat something light but packed with protein. Zürich has the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant which I love to go to. Then I have a coffee to avoid taking a nap.
1.30pm
My priorities are to create an inspiring recycled textile experience, and together with my colleague Filipa, I think we are really achieving this. Slowly but surely. Oh, and I almost forgot, I spend a lot of the afternoon speaking to my dad. Family business things!
7.00pm
I come home and often find myself contemplating life, which can be both a blessing and a curse. If I have a call past 7pm I’ll take that from the elliptical machine at the gym. I like to go to a spinning or yoga class when I can. On Thursdays I love to see my friends, go to an art gallery or swim in the lake in the summer.
8.30pm
Because I live alone, I will most likely forget to cook dinner. But I hate feeling as if I neglect to nourish my brain so I love to lose myself in a book. I’m reading What Artists Wear by Charlie Porter. I’m a bit of a homebody so the time I can be at home is a blessing. If I have a trip the next day, I spend a good half hour packing because most of my flights out of Zürich are in the morning (sigh).
11.00pm
I drink a hot cup of herbal tea and get into my cozy bed. If it’s a Friday, I am most likely not in bed at 11pm and probably downing a martini somewhere, itching to dance.
Annabelle Hutter is managing director of Säntis Textiles, a Swiss family-owned textile company headquartered in Singapore. In 2016, Säntis developed 100% recycled cotton yarn, RCO100. In 2023, it worked with Turkish denim mill Kipas, machinery company Temsan and engineering firm Swinsol to jointly develop a mechanical recycling system.
Photos: Annabelle Hutter
