Nestled in a bespoke farm dwelling deep within the Swiss mountains, we meet Claudia—an intriguing character who communes with nature and everything in between. In an era of digital noise, Claudia’s mind remains almost entirely free, unburdened by the trivialities of modern life. Instead, she follows her own set of lores, cultivated over years of navigating the human experience. She is also a certified phytotherapist with additional expertise in aromatherapy. Trained at the Paracelsus School in Zurich, her work is available in the form of artisanal dried herbs, essential oils and distillates— which she personally packages and labels.

Claudia could be considered a modern-day “witch”, living by her own rules and breathing in the purity of nature—a philosophy she integrates into her daily practices. One of her many grounding activities involves meditating in front of a fire, whether from a fireplace or a backyard fire pit. She finds unparalleled peace in silence, nature, and solitude.

“I consider wood to be more valuable than gold because it keeps you warm in the cold.”

She also tends to a well-cultivated garden at home, harvesting from her own produce. As she welcomes the SCHTTN team to her quaint sanctuary, Claudia shares the intimate story of her life, a cigarette in one hand and a cup of herbal tea in the other.

Despite her secluded lifestyle, Claudia remains deeply connected to fashion and the arts, which she views as ultimate forms of human expression. Artistic trinkets and archival books collected over the years were found scattered all over her home, mimicking a “cabinet of curiosities” where you find something interesting in every nook and cranny. We dressed her in classic silhouettes with exaggerated details—as seen in the images, with a Louis Gabriel Nouchi oversized coat two sizes too big for her. She enjoys embodying different personas and attitudes through clothing.

Swipe through Claudia’s Lore, one of Schatten’s Editorial Features of the month. Stay tuned for more.