With the fluidity of the modern media landscape, there are artists whose work becomes an essential backdrop in the contemporary style narrative. Austrian-born set designer and art director Julia Wagner has emerged as one of those artists as the creative force behind her Brooklyn design haven, Studio Wagner. After graduating from Central Saint Martins, the self-described “bad student” assisted other art directors, and an opportune moment meeting David Armstrong moved her from Europe to New York, where she quickly recognized the importance of sets in consideration of a complete image. Fast forward to the present and her design studio stands as more than a creative hub—the workshop is dedicated to brand storytelling articulated through scrupulous conceptual research, unwavering innovation, and broad-spectrum design.

Known for her uncanny ability to construct visual stories steeped in raw authenticity and refined awareness, Wagner’s background in set design and creative direction has not just shaped her path but made her an invaluable collaborator to other creatives, like Ethan James Green, Tyler Mitchell, and Johnny Dufort. The multi-disciplinary ethos at the core of Wagner’s practice has attracted an illustrious client list of brands that seek to differentiate themselves in a sea of commercial monotony, like Ferragamo, Loewe, Burberry, and Wales Bonner. If that’s not enough to impress, the pages of leading fashion editorials from Vogue, Vogue Italia, Vogue France, and W, to name but a few, have become galleries for Wagner’s distinctive vision, each assignment further cementing her position as a needed piece in the visual equation. In an industry where true innovation is the currency, Wagner’s multidimensional approach to art and design isn’t just desirable; it’s essential. We spoke to Wagner in her official Brooklyn setup to discuss how she got her start, how collaboration has been a central driving force in her career, and how a main character can trigger ideas for the set design.