milkshakeCHOCOLATE :::.. summer07 ::: sandraBACKLUND

Months ago I read in some fashion blog some bad comments about then unknown fashion designer Sandra Backlund. The commenters complaint about the lack of utility in Sandra's pieces, arguing that no one would wear something like that... I was impressed to find out that there are still people thinking that way about fashion, people who think of fashion in terms of utility, missing or avoiding to see those pieces as something beyond dressing.
I am glad that there are still designers that ignore such complaints, which unfortunatelly are not rare, and continue doing interesting things with clothing, textures and fabrics. People like Viktor&Rolf, Hussein Chalayan, Martin Margiela or 2007 Festival Hyéres winner, Sandra Backlund.

1.- Beckman's School of Design

The school where I did my education in fashion. I was born in a town north of Sweden and moved to Stockholm seven years ago when I was accepted at Beckmans. In my opinion it is the best fashion school in Sweden and during my four years there I learned a lot both of what I am good at and what I want to do, but also what I definitely not want to do within fashion.

2.- Hyéres 2007

The fashion and photography competition in southern France where I won the Grand Prix this April. I was crazy happy already when I was selected for the finals and had no expectations what so ever, except of course looking forward to be a part of it all and show my collection in such a creative environment for such a respectable jury and important visitors. The whole event was an experience for life, all the people you met and the rush from showing your collection in a big fashion show like that. And then the happy ending, it is not every day you get to collect an award from the hands of Christian Lacroix!

3.- Louis Vuitton

The company which I did a collaboration with on some special knitwear pieces for their Fall/Winter 2007 collection. Since I have never worked with another company before, not even done an internship, it was a really good experience for me of course. They did contact me after seeing an image of my work in some magazine. They said that they have been looking for someone to collaborate with on knitwear and that they found my work really interesting. When I do my own things I work extremely lonely and introvert so it was both unfamiliar and fascinating to suddenly be a part of a design team with the mission to do what I am good at, but also make it fit in the big picture, which I did not govern. I learned a lot that will be good for the future, especially about myself.

4.- Arnhem Biennale

A fashion exhibition in Arnhem in The Netherlands where I have a couple of pieces displayed. I was there for the opening on the 1st of June and I must say it is a good selection. Visit their website www.arnhemmodebiennale.com to learn more about the exhibition.