The talented new Danish designer Atifa Rasooli recently debuted her A/W 2012 collection and lifeiscarbon® have instantly found a new Scandinavian fashion favorite. Having been partly inspired by the humble somberness of quiet Winter days in Denmark and partly by the folkloric silhouettes of Japanese warriors, has resulted in a strikingly avant-garde ready-to-wear aesthetic that emanates a sombre and melancholic beauty.
The refinement of silk melting into mat wools and cottons gives the collection softness and variation. Very deliberately, the color range is kept within a strict palette of black, gray and white..... the colors of stillness according to Atifa Rasooli; "Everything imaginable and unimaginable is created from stillness. Stillness is where all creations begin. I am the messenger of stillness. Bringing back the strength of humble appearance with hidden nobility."
Follow the link to see the stunning A/W 2012 collection from Atifa Rasooli:
If you´ll allow, there seems no better way to introduce the Icelandic fashion brand Kormákur & Skjöldur then to quote Steve Jobs words; "Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently.." Crazy perhaps, but we see fashion genius.
The Kormákur & Skjöldur brand was established in the fall of 2010 by Kormákur Geirharðsson, Skjöldur Sigurjónsson and fashion designer Guðmundur Jörundsson. The brand was established around Kormákur and Skjöldur's menswear store Herrafataverzlun Kormáks & Skjaldar (which had been established in 1996), in order to introduce their particular take on classic menswear with a modern twist. With two previous Autumn/Winter collections already sold out and their first Spring/Summer collection soon in stores, Kormákur & Skjöldur are soon introducing their fourth collection 'dresstheirflesh'.
Follow the link to see some of our favorites from Kormákur & Skjöldur´s recent collections:
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. White may well be the new black in Acne Studios latest Capsule Collection (SS 2012) but the rest of their winning formula remains in place; skinny silhouettes and stark Scandinavian simplicity.
“An urban, but free-minded and radically white-only. A mix of different materials and silhouettes, caftans worn with Acne-Girls-Favorites like denims, poplin shirts and light jersey t-shirts, styled with high-summer flat sandals. Seethrough plissé effortlessly meeting shiny irridescent leather. Washed silk crèpe de chine on top of bonded lace. Denim twill worn together with floorlength lace cut-out rubber print jersey.” Jonny Johansson
Follow the link to see our favorite pieces from Acne Studios SS 12 Capsule Collection including the simple but stunning Lucille (short denim twill dress) and sculptural Castle Leather (A-line mini skirt) :
Originally made by tradesmen in Cairo for the British armed forces during the Western Desert Campaign of WW2, the desert boot has been having something of a renaissance over the last few years. It´s hard to improve on an original timeless design but a young Norwegian fashion brand has dared to do just that. Last year, Deep Search launched a capsule collection including a Derby Boot and Oxford Boot as well as their own take on the classic Desert Boot. Crepe souls (which never quite coped with surfaces other than sand) have been replaced with longer lasting Vibram soles, a third eyelet has been added to give a more secure fit and five funky colors have usurped the original sandy suede.
Until now, Deep Search boots have only been available online or from two of our favorite stores in Oslo, Sole Service andFreudian Kicks, but we´re looking forward to the launch of their first concept store in the coming months which is timed to coincide with the brand´s second collection. In the meantime, follow the link to see more images of the Deep SearchAW2011 Collection:
Sweden seems to have cultivated a knack for simplistic fashion with a modern touch. Easy elegance achieved through unfussy design that manages to look both achingly 'now' and enduringly timeless at one and the same time. A much coveted recipe that Swedish designers like Acne, Fifth Avenue Repairand Whyred are proving so incredibly apt at serving up. The latest designer to join their ranks, and an immediate lifeiscarbon® favorite, is Nhu Duong.
Born in Vietnam, Nhu Duong immigrated to Sweden at the age of seven and eventually graduated from Beckmans College of Design in 2008. Following a period as a design assistant at Acne Studios, she debuted at Stockholm Fashion Week in 2009 and went on to produce her first commercial collection for Weekdaythe same year.
Nhu Duong recently revealed her new Autumn Winter 2012 collection, entitled Hooped, to press in Stockholm. Once again, sharp, modern lines are teamed up with nostalgic prints although this time they are sliced into dramatic futuristic silhouettes. Follow the link to see more images from the press launch together together with a selection of our favorites from her Spring Summer 2011 and 2012 collections:
We´re loving the latest editions to Acne Studios´ range of bags, esepcially the boxy style of the Ralston and Coy and the oversized tassles of the Piers and Laurie. The Ralston (shown above) is a leather box purse with two front buckle details and comes in plain black or a much-sort-after brown (with colored details).
Take a look below at our picks from the new range together with some of all time favorites from Acne Studios range of bags and luggage:
The usual signatures of grungy tailoring, sheer fabrics and layered textures are all much in evidence in the latest collection from Finnish designer and lifeiscarbon® favorite Heikki Salonen.
Born in 1979 Vantaa, Finland, Salonen graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2008. A year later, his graduation collection was part of the Victoria & Albert museum Future Fashion Now exhibition. Before starting his eponymous London ready-to-wear line in 2008 with his artist partner Johanna, Salonen worked for Erdem and is currently a consultant for Diesel. The artist and designer duo combine their shared passion for arts and fashion by striving to create collections with rich layers of references and innovative experimental techniques. Take a look below at the photographs and a video from the stunning Heikki Salonen AW 2011 Look Book shot by Nicole Maria Winkler:
After spending time working for the London based Danish designer Jens Laugesen but whilst still studying at Central Saint Martin’s, Lina Österman launched her own ready-to-wear label Pudel. Not long after Pudel’s first showings in Copenhagen, the young Swedish designer was approached by Top Shop and asked to design a capsule collection to be sold exclusively at their Oxford Circus store.
After graduating from Central Saint Martin’s in 2008, Österman launched a second line, the eponymously named Lina Österman. Building on the unisex concept behind Prudel, the new high-end line is famed for its signature studded garments, intricate knitwear and deconstructed tailoring. As a color, Bottle Green may not be for us, but other than that we love the Lina Österman AW 2011 Collection. See it below:
The Swedish fashion house Acne unveiled their Spring Summer 2012 collection for women yesterday in a pre presentation in New York. To quote Acne founder, Jonny Johansson, the Resort Collection draws inspiration from “a downtown, young jeans girl….who is colliding with romantic, historic fashion and creating a trapped volume”. Tortuous fashion speak perhaps but the resulting mash-up of couture fabrics such as taffeta, brocade, silk and denim, in historically inspired Scandinavian colors, creates a world of volume somehow impossibly captured within ultra slim silhouettes.
Loving it all, as we do, look below to our favorites....photos and video of the entire SS 2012 Resort Collection:
Founded in 2004 by Astrid Olsson and Lee Cotter, the Swedish fashion label Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair boasts not just one but two successful lines; a ready to wear line as well as a couture inspired line under the name By The No.
We love Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair´s AW 2011/2012 ready-to-wear collection for men and women. A truly minimalistic investigation of different shades of black, grey, beige and white, resulting in a monochrome world of subtle nuances. Take a look below to read more about Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair and to see more images of the new collection:
Despite our somewhat puritanical view of Scandinavian fashion, it´s difficult not to fall for Monki, the story-based female fashion concept from Sweden. Created in 2006, the Monki brand has grown from a handful of stores in its homeland to a successful international retail chain. Monki´s core collection manages to successfully flirt between street-style and crisp Scandinavian fashion sense.
The brand concept is based on the idea of the Monki World; apparently a magical place where anything can happen. However, this is not the clever creation of a group of independent designers. Monki happens to be the feisty, quirky little sister of Weekday and Cheap Monday, and is therefore owned by omni-present H&M (Hennes & Mauritz AB). Take a look below at some more wonderful images from Monki´s style campaign:
Contrary to popular belief, we are not effete aesthetes. We hike. We climb. We cycle. And, of course, we ski. When we do, we like to be clothed and equipped with the best stuff for the job. Having long been fans of Helly Hansen´s classic products (there´s nothing that can match the performance of their timeless Lausanne Fibre Jacket), we are happy to see that the company is using the talents of Scandinavian designers to create interesting new product ranges.
It´s been a while since we´ve written about Ida Gullhav, one of our favorite Norwegian fashion designers, but we´ve fallen in love with the new Training Collection she´s created at Helly Hansen. It´s clear that Ida has drawn inspiration not only from her own background as a lingerie designer but also from the heritage of the distinctive Helly Hansen Lifa stripe: Take a look below to see our favorites from the new collection:
With all due respect to the many Scandinavian fashion designers that we love, we have to admit that if uniforms were worn at lifeiscarbon® they´d probably be supplied by the Swedish label Odeur. We´ve long been admirers but have totally fallen for their latest collection. Entitled Where the Shimmer Lies, Odeur´s Spring/Summer 2011 collection is inspired by nouveau riche tendencies, especially the over indulgent use of fashion as an expression of newly acquired wealth. Whilst we´ve made no secret of our proclivity for a monochrome palette, we do love Odeur´s use of deep choral pink. Take a look below at a selection of our favorites from the new collection:
We love the quiet confidence and simple elegance of the latest collection for women by the Norwegian fashion designer Peter Løchstøer. Comprising of a range of timeless essentials with a strictly muted color palette, the new pieces are designed to blend easily with existing wardrobes.Easily allowing outfits to be dressed up or dressed down, be it for work or for play. Take a look below to read more about Peter Løchstøer and to see the new AW 2011 Collection:
Since we last wrote about them, the Swedish bag and accessory brand Sandqvist has gone from strength to strength, without compromising their design philosophy of style, simplicity and functionality, mixed with nostalgia and traditional craftsmanship. Originally founded to produce men’s bags, Sandqvist launched its first line of women’s bags early last year and many of its current designs have a unisex appeal.
