Snjezana Schillinger stands as an emblematic figure of sophistication and elegance, seamlessly bridging the worlds of fashion and nautical excellence. Through her fashion brand Duchess, she has forged a powerful symbol of femininity and strength, while her professional engagement in the nautical industry artfully intertwines luxury with a profound passion for the sea. This interview unveils the inspiring forces that drive her, the challenges she has navigated, and the philosophical compass that guides her journey through two seemingly distinct worlds, ultimately creating a remarkable fusion of elegance, passion, and luxury
NP: You started writing your fashion story back in high school. What prompted you to start your own brand and how did you recognize the opportunity that set you apart in the market?
Life’s intricate circumstances consistently guided me towards channelling my creativity, and I was raised with an ethos of mastering as many diverse skills as possible, sewing being one of them. My aunt Marica was a skilled seamstress, and my mother was a professor who was equally adept with needle and thread. As I couldn’t always rely on her assistance, I began sewing and tailoring independently, cutting patterns from “Burda” magazines and sourcing materials and delicate laces from the factory in Oroslavlje. My colleagues took notice of the distinctive skirts I crafted, and soon I was creating pieces for them as well. An entrepreneurial spirit has always coursed through my veins – a genetic inheritance, the very cornerstone of my approach.
NP: Duchess exudes elegance and sophistication, with your personal philosophy clearly shaping its essence. How do you convey your inner strength and vision to the pieces you design? What do you want every woman who wears Duchess to feel and experience?
Thank you for your kind words! I virtually live and breathe the Duchess brand, wearing it almost exclusively. My philosophy is straightforward: if I’m not the first to wear a piece, why should anyone else? Every woman who wears Duchess should feel like royalty – a queen, a princess. Our fundamental philosophy is beautifully captured in our signature slogan: “Every woman deserves to wear a crown”.
Antun Tin Brisar and I craft each collection together and select materials. We infuse a lot of love into every part of the collection. Tin is a graduate designer, and I deeply respect university education, particularly given my family background. While I am very creative and often intuitively feel what women like, Tin complements my vision perfectly with his refined aesthetic – masterfully combining cuts and colours in alignment with global trends. Our Duchess ladies should feel beautiful and feminine, feeling like queens in our dresses, radiating elegance and commanding attention the moment they enter a room.
The Duchess collection spans a comprehensive range of clothing, from dresses and coats to raincoats, all within our diverse pret-a-porter line. I personally delight in pairing these pieces with world-class designer pieces, handbags, and shoes – a collection I’ve curated and invested in throughout my life. I often playfully tell my husband that he married exceptionally well, as I rarely buy new clothing. My experience trying countless designs has created my understanding of what will make women look perfect and feel good.
NP: How do you balance running the fashion brand Duchess and PR for Sanlorenzo Adria? At the Biograd Boat Show, we had the opportunity to see how your two passions – fashion and luxury yachts – come together perfectly through an impressive show among San Lorenzo yachts. What are the biggest challenges in harmonizing these two worlds?
They say when you love what you do, you never truly work a day in your life. Boats have always been my greatest love. Before meeting Franz, I owned two vessels and had been a skipper for 17 years. My passion encompasses everything related to boats – whether it’s a magnificent yacht or a modest boat – the essence is simple: being near water, the sea.
There’s a popular adage that a person experiences happiness twice – first when purchasing a boat, and second when selling it. Well, I stand as living proof that this is entirely untrue! When I sold my second boat, a Beneteau Monte Carlo – the brand my husband now represents, though we hadn’t yet met at the time – I momentarily felt a sense of relief. But as summer approached, I realized how much I missed it. I couldn’t even look at the sea without feeling sad. I wept, mourning the boat that had accompanied me through both turbulent storms and tranquil waters.
For me, a boat transcends being a mere object – it’s an almost mystical entity. I did not vacation in Croatia for four years, as the memories were too overwhelming. I couldn’t bear to arrive by ferry, to sit on a beach or by a pool on Hvar. Hvar without a boat was simply not the same for me. I consistently emphasize that a boat’s type is irrelevant – its mere presence is what matters. My ancestors were mariners, and I guess this is encoded in my genetic inheritance!
As a seasoned PR professional, I don’t always directly associate Duchess with boats. I understand how overlapping brands – especially an attractive one like fashion – can potentially divert attention from the nautical realm. However, when technical conditions align and a fashion show presents a logical promotional way, it is possible to achieve remarkable synergy.
We presented Sanlorenzo in Split in a completely different way. These are, without question, the world’s most exquisite yachts. In collaboration with Italian and Croatian skippers, the vessels ‘danced’ to musical rhythms in Split, creating an unforgettable maritime spectacle.
The focus remained exclusively on the yachts. With the world’s most renowned architect, Piero Lissoni, meticulously curating every interior detail, nothing more is needed.
The event continued with an exclusive gourmet dinner in Diocletian’s cellars – a symbolic connection to history, commemorating the Roman emperor’s Dalmatian origins. We incorporated the National Theatre of Split, whose actors performed Diocletian’s speech accompanied by a symbolic Roman guard. Ana Rucner, a famous cellist, provided a distinctive artistic signature. This extraordinary event earned me an award in Cannes for best event execution.
NP: The Sanlorenzo brand has experienced significant regional expansion, with you managing its PR. How would you describe Sanlorenzo models compared to the competition, and what specific advantages does the brand offer customers?
Sanlorenzo comes from a prestigious Italian shipyard with a long tradition. Through continuous innovation, they lead technological trends, particularly in sustainability and advanced fuel development. Their yachts are characterized by clean, refined lines – a single glance across the sea is sufficient to recognize a Sanlorenzo, reminiscent of an elegant white swan.
The interiors epitomize luxury without excessive ornamentation, embodying sophisticated elegance masterfully designed by the Lissoni studio. There are yachts – and then there are Sanlorenzo vessels. The distinction is immediately apparent. Each vessel is meticulously customized to the owner’s specifications. Clients who have previously owned boats from other brands experience an instant revelation upon stepping aboard a Sanlorenzo – it’s genuinely love at first sight, as attention is devoted to every detail.
NP: Your energy leaves a strong impression on everyone who meets you, but there are certainly challenging days when motivation is harder to find. How do you manage to maintain a positive attitude and find a balance between business commitments and moments of private peace?
I love nature and spend every available moment to immersing myself in forests and parks – it’s my method of personal reset. Trees embody a singular, positive energy. Unlike humans, who carry complex emotions, nature possesses a capacity to absorb negativity, anxiety, and stress, leaving individuals calm and renewed. I consistently advise everyone to invest at least half an hour in nature – it’s like going back to factory settings. Exercise is part of my daily routine, and swimming – a discipline I once trained– has become a profound form of meditation for me.
NP: What advice would you give to women who want to take bold steps in their business lives?
Entrepreneurship is really challenging – it demands persistence, determination, and an absolute commitment to one’s goals. Do you remember our event in Biograd? Upon arriving the day before, the scene was completely different – no red carpet, inadequate conditions. But I didn’t give up. I persistently called, negotiated, and orchestrated arrangements until the carpet was brought and installed. What might seem like a minor detail can ultimately define the entire event’s overall impression.
A similar scenario unfolded with the Frauscher boat. Even my husband was initially sceptical about the sailing concept, but I remained resolute. I placed fashion models aboard, who then theatrically sailed into the fashion show – the result was spectacular!
NP: During every encounter with the Nautika team you leave an impression of a woman whose optimism is inherently infectious. What wishes would you extend to our readers for 2025?
I am grateful for Nautika’s longstanding support of our team. My heartfelt wish is for everyone to experience peace, personal happiness, health, and success – which, as a natural progression of these fundamental elements, will surely manifest in the coming year. I look forward to our next reunion at sea!
Antun Tin Brisar and I craft each collection together and select materials. While I am very creative and often intuitively feel what women like, Tin complements my vision perfectly with his refined aesthetic – masterfully combining cuts and colours in alignment with global trends.
