Söhne Schmal Extraleicht Italic

Söhne Schmal Extraleicht Italic is a refined expression of the iconic 'Standard' typeface, better known today through its descendants like Akzidenz-Grotesk. Designed by Kris Sowersby of the Klim Type Foundry, the Söhne collection aims to capture the materiality and precision of the New York City Subway’s signage system designed by Massimo Vignelli and Bob Noorda. The Schmal variant introduces a condensed width that maintains clarity and authority even in tight spaces.

This specific weight, Extraleicht Italic, provides a delicate, ethereal quality that contrasts beautifully with the more industrial roots of the typeface. The italicized forms are not merely slanted but are carefully adjusted to preserve the rhythmic flow of the condensed sans-serif design. It represents a bridge between mid-century Swiss modernism and contemporary digital type design, making it an essential tool for high-end editorial and branding projects.