Aerial photographs of glaciers, quarries and salt fields show the Earth from a rare perspective. They make structures visible that remain hidden up close – with often only a few metres between beauty and vulnerability. It was precisely this attitude that inspired Schöffel.
Anyone who spends time in the mountains experiences nature directly – and sees how worthy of protection it is. The collaboration with Tom Hegen combines both ideas.
The Winter 2025 collection already contained some of the photographer's works. The design is more than aesthetics: it speaks of mountains, ice and movement. That’s why the cooperation is being included in the Winter 2026 collection.
Sometimes a good story begins with a look from above.
About Tom Hegen
Questions and answers
What was your personal motivation for cooperating with an outdoor brand such as Schöffel?
My work has always been characterized by creating an awareness of how to deal with our environment, the resources that our planet has in store for us, and man's influence on nature. We have quite rightly shaped the world according to our needs, and have increasingly forgotten that we are dependent on it. The planet doesn’t care how much we change the earth’s surface, the climate or biodiversity. But these elements are crucial for us and for future generations. That's why we need to treat our planet responsibly. I express this attitude in my work. One thing is clear: we all need resources — and that includes clothing. The question is how we handle these resources. Schöffel develops reliable clothing that enables its owners to enjoy an authentic experience in nature. This experience not only creates quality of life, but also a conscious and appreciative perception of nature. This is what unites us and motivates us in our work.
How do you choose the images that demonstrate the tension between the use and protection of nature?
I’m interested in places where our modern society is based. In other words, places where the traces of our actions are unmissable. Even though many of these places seem far away, we are all connected to them. Because even in our everyday lives we use raw materials that have been extracted at great expense for our requirements. We dam rivers to generate electricity. We move mountains because they are in our way. We drill holes in the ground to take advantage of the earth’s natural resources. We plant, remove, cultivate, blast, pump, slash, burn, fertilize, seal, pollute, and poison. I document these interventions in our aerial photographs.
To what extent do you see your work as a contribution to social awareness of environmental issues?
Photography can help us to better understand our world. The distanced perspective in particular opens up a view of connections that often remain hidden from us in everyday life. But knowledge alone is not enough. We need to be aware of the raw materials that shape our lives. And we need to understand that every resource we use has its price – be it for nature, for people, or for future generations. Hopefully a new appreciation will return with this awareness. And appreciation is the basis for a responsible approach to our planet.
Balance on the slopes.
Performance for the days when every run counts. Developed for control and comfort on the mountain.
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