Sophisticated Scandinavian Lingerie
If you’re a fan of the bodice, bustier or corsage rather than tangas and whale tails then you’ll probably appreciate the sophisticated lingerie of Ida Gullhav. The Norwegian designer has already created several of her own collections and worked on several projects in cooperation with well known photographers, stylists and dancers.
Based in Oslo, Ida Gullhav is one of the few Norwegian clothes designers who specialize in producing underwear for men and women. She holds a Master’s degree from the Institute of Clothes and Costumes at the National College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Oslo and has been awarded the Eye of the Needle prize for best clothes designer by the women’s magazine Henne.
We love the way that Ida Gullhav deftly combines sports and vintage techniques to make garments that are sexy without being twee. Sensual bras are made in sporty meshes and thongs are given the retro treatment with high girdle-like waistlines but kept sexy with cleverly placed cut-outs. See more of her collection below:
Ida Gullhav 2003-04 Collection
Aside from designing her own collections, Ida Gullhav has also worked on a number of collaborations with others. These include Growth in 2001 with the renowned Norwegian photographer Knut Bry in which several designers were invited to make clothes from materials found in nature. Ida made a garment from straw and underwear from fish skin. In 2002, a project called Soap was initiated by the Salvation Army in which eight designers, including Ida Gullhav, were invited to redesign used clothing to inspire people to buy more vintage clothing.
Ida Gullhav 2004-05 Collection (Photos by Kristine Jakobsen)
Ida Gullhav 2005-06 Collection (Photos by Gry Juvodden)
Ida Gullhav claims that underwear should be adapted to fit the body and not the other way round. She firmly believes that different silhouettes fit different types of body shapes, and that clothes must accentuate the body’s best features. Her autumn/winter 06/07 collection was inspired by the beginning of the 1900s when women had just begun to wear trousers and leisure time was a new concept for the middle classes.
Ida says the following about her 06/07 collection: “This collection is characterized by white and divided into three chapters: The circus princess is the youngest with her tiny tutu and an equally mischievous prince at her side. At the romantic tea party the girl is older, and there is no shortage of powder and soft lines. In the final chapter both are older. Brown nuances and straight lines characterize both.”
Ida Gullhav 2006-07 Collection (Photos by Camilla Isene)
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