Scandinavian Fashion: Brands no-one else knows about
EDITOR'S PICK: Seeking chic but bored of & Other Stories? Here's our guide to the best Scandinavian brands no one else knows about.
Magdalena Frackowiak by Lachlan-Bailey for Filippa-K
It is a truth universally acknowledged that well-designed high street clothing can be sourced from stores under the flag of Scandinavian fashion conglomerate the H&M group. Cos, & Other Stories, Monki, Cheap Monday, H & M and Weekday have revolutionised the way we dress. The minimalist Scandi aesthetic, androgynous tailoring with an elegant finish, is now the go-to modern day look. Meanwhile, investment buyers head to high end labels such as Acne- with the Acne biker jacket at the top of every woman's wish list, season after season.
The problem with this hegemony is that everybody wears the same clothes. The strong designs of Cos and & Other Stories are losing their appeal, given the inevitability of a friend, or stranger on the street, wearing the same thing.
With this in mind, we have scoured the market for lesser-known labels that will sate your Scandi cravings, without the risk of facing fashion twins at every turn.
Hope
Swedish brand Hope was founded in 2001 by the designers Ann Ringstrand and Stefan Söderberg. With a strong focus on tailoring, their clothes are immaculately cut, Think trousers with the perfect slouch-factor and straight blouses in neutral tones. It is little wonder, given the cold climes of the north, that Hope also excels in outwear. Coats are thick enough to ensure warmth all winter yet light enough to enable mobility.
We love Hope’s eclectic prints, a twist on classic Scandi design. Watch out for a new collaboration with one of Sweden’s oldest weaveries, Märta Måås-Fjetterström, where vintage carpet designs by established artists have found their way on to Hope clothing. Culture Whisper adored the range when it showed in Paris this September. In terms of price, Hope is slightly more expensive than the average high street store, yet worth investing in for the sanctity of originality.
We recommend wearing Hope to one of culinary whizz Ben Spalding's two new pop-ups: Stripped Back and No Rules.
Poppy Coat, Hope
Filippa K
Swedish brand Filippa K prioritises durability in their clothing. Scandinavian fashion at its best, this is a go-to for staples. Navy round-neck jumpers perfectly executed, with just the right amount of give in the fabric, will transform even the most dishevelled husband or son into a well-groomed specimen. Equally their female tailoring is elegant and confident: we recommend the AVA wool jacket paired with a pair of straight wool trousers or their timeless alpaca jumper worn over an evening dress.
Wear Filippa K to Marie Lund to match the artist's minimalist exhibition.
Plated Jumper, Filippa K
Wood Wood
Adventurous readers should head to Danish brand Wood Wood, for a playful take on Scandinavian fashion. Wood Wood take Scandi design to extremes in both their mens and womenswear. Wood Wood favour wilder designs than their Swedish counterparts: think wacky prints, cropped trousers and bucket hats. We recommend the Greta cropped bomber for a chic take on the standard puffer and the Ophele wide legged trouser. For men, we recommend the high neck Oluf sweater paired with the Oskar pant in mauve.
Wear Wood Wood to Senga Nengudi’s exhibition at White Cube Bermondsey to show off your new finds.
Wood Wood sweater
The only downside: all three brands are currently only available for UK costumers online. A small inconvenience though, for leading the Scandi fashion pack into 2015.
The problem with this hegemony is that everybody wears the same clothes. The strong designs of Cos and & Other Stories are losing their appeal, given the inevitability of a friend, or stranger on the street, wearing the same thing.
With this in mind, we have scoured the market for lesser-known labels that will sate your Scandi cravings, without the risk of facing fashion twins at every turn.
Hope
Swedish brand Hope was founded in 2001 by the designers Ann Ringstrand and Stefan Söderberg. With a strong focus on tailoring, their clothes are immaculately cut, Think trousers with the perfect slouch-factor and straight blouses in neutral tones. It is little wonder, given the cold climes of the north, that Hope also excels in outwear. Coats are thick enough to ensure warmth all winter yet light enough to enable mobility.
We love Hope’s eclectic prints, a twist on classic Scandi design. Watch out for a new collaboration with one of Sweden’s oldest weaveries, Märta Måås-Fjetterström, where vintage carpet designs by established artists have found their way on to Hope clothing. Culture Whisper adored the range when it showed in Paris this September. In terms of price, Hope is slightly more expensive than the average high street store, yet worth investing in for the sanctity of originality.
We recommend wearing Hope to one of culinary whizz Ben Spalding's two new pop-ups: Stripped Back and No Rules.
Poppy Coat, Hope
Filippa K
Swedish brand Filippa K prioritises durability in their clothing. Scandinavian fashion at its best, this is a go-to for staples. Navy round-neck jumpers perfectly executed, with just the right amount of give in the fabric, will transform even the most dishevelled husband or son into a well-groomed specimen. Equally their female tailoring is elegant and confident: we recommend the AVA wool jacket paired with a pair of straight wool trousers or their timeless alpaca jumper worn over an evening dress.
Wear Filippa K to Marie Lund to match the artist's minimalist exhibition.
Plated Jumper, Filippa K
Wood Wood
Adventurous readers should head to Danish brand Wood Wood, for a playful take on Scandinavian fashion. Wood Wood take Scandi design to extremes in both their mens and womenswear. Wood Wood favour wilder designs than their Swedish counterparts: think wacky prints, cropped trousers and bucket hats. We recommend the Greta cropped bomber for a chic take on the standard puffer and the Ophele wide legged trouser. For men, we recommend the high neck Oluf sweater paired with the Oskar pant in mauve.
Wear Wood Wood to Senga Nengudi’s exhibition at White Cube Bermondsey to show off your new finds.
Wood Wood sweater
The only downside: all three brands are currently only available for UK costumers online. A small inconvenience though, for leading the Scandi fashion pack into 2015.
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