Swensk, in collaboration with RMIT present – Slow Fashion: Concepts of Sustainability, an investigation of the process of customising a four piece collection for four Swensk customers by deconstructing high quality garments by Swedish designers Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, Filippa K, J.Lindeberg and Whyred. Each collection has been designed and delivered by 3rd year RMIT fashion students as part of the RMIT studio: Concept of Sustainability – A Piece of Cloth.  This is a film of the student’s journey through the concept of sustainability in fashion, the research process.

Documentation by Alison Cosson and Tristan Sinclair

Swensk, in collaboration with RMIT present – Slow Fashion: Concepts of Sustainability, an investigation of the process of customising a four piece collection for four Swensk customers by deconstructing high quality garments by Swedish designers Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, Filippa K, J.Lindeberg and Whyred. Each collection has been designed and delivered by 3rd year RMIT fashion students as part of the RMIT studio: Concept of Sustainability – A Piece of Cloth.  This is a film of the student’s journey through the concept of sustainability in fashion, the research process.

Documentation by Carolina Barua and  Remie Cibis

Fifth avenue shoe repair Spring 2010 collection withholds two contradicting themes.

First: very down to earth, holding soft colour tones and washed hand feel.  By over-dyeing garments in double weave linens, parachute poplins and cashmere jerseys our ambition has been to achieve a “close to earth” expression. We call this the human part of the collection.
Second: the complete opposite; a colourful fairytale landscape with multiflower patterns and shapes without boundaries. With extra everything we defy the minimalist and give you the maximalist. A strong floral and eccentric palette of vibrant colours constitute our surreal, beautiful and alien part of the collection. This is the non human part of the collection.

The two elements co-exists in the same way flower and weed nurture from the ground – needing each other to survive or to even exist.
We present this collection based on characters. We bring them out in the collection, each character explaining and telling their unique story. Combined they create a snapshot, a story of our every day life in which we all take a part in creating.

The storyteller an observing and interfering character, pushing and forcing us towards change and progression. Always with good intention. The collector a lover of things. He borrows your belongings, collects them, steals them and at the same time captures a little bit of you in his collection.  The peace maker once a warrior. Now he is older and wiser, not so aggressive as he once was. He wants to teach you to not make the same mistakes he once have made.

The traveller searches the truth, always looking for movement. The most important thing is to depart, not to arrive. The doll once human, too much in love with things. Now she has transformed into a non human fairytale object. The geisha a fairytale version of a human, easily mistaken for being evil. She is wise and observing, always following her tone.

For Europe’s Spring/Summer 2010, J.Lindeberg is exploring the dynamic and vibrant focal point of pristine tailoring and active sportswear.
– Although a true paradox to some, we see the bridging of fashion and function as one of our most important missions, says J.Lindeberg CEO, Stefan Engström. With a tradition in both tailoring and sports, it is quite natural that J.Lindeberg will be the one to launch the new ”Techno Couture” concept.
– Combining lightweight materials with woven/wool structures, blending cotton/wool garments with TechLinings and mesh, lining nylon garments with cotton and introducing waterproof/breathable/3-layer fabrics for dressed garments demonstrates a commitment to refreshed fabric combinations and execution. The mix of technologies and materials translates to a mix of experience for the brand. This collection is brimming with energy, elegance and eccentricity. And, most importantly, is still true to our Scandinavian heritage, says J.Lindeberg Artistic Director, Pierangelo D’Agostin.

The result is a new promise for an active life in style. The detailed “Rance Dressed Nylon Jacket”, the high pocketed “Bar- ret Super Drill Jacket” and super tailored, short length “Nixon Mini Dogtooth Jacket”, with slim “Paulie Mini Cotton Dogtooth Pants” will definitely stand out and do the job, each garment in this collection is tailored to move.

Women
The relaxed, glamourous atmosphere of 1930’s Deauville has inspired elegant pieces such as bias-cut flowing dinner dresses and a masculine, yet sensual, tuxedo jacket. Coco Chanel, with her elegant and casual sense of style as well as the ability to mix masculine and feminine pieces, has been a great influence in creating a fresh look still so relevant today. Sweaters with classic French stripes and a summer peacoat jacket in soft wrinkled linen are smart garments for a refined look.

For the more powerful edge, Filippa K has found inspiration in vintage French Elle magazines of the 1980’s where an energetic vibe dominated and women were portrayed as strong, free and athletic. The comfort of jersey fabrics has always been part of our design and this season we are re-discovering figure-hugging dresses in firm jersey, as well as corset tops and one-shoulder styles in bright colours and shiny materials.
To continue the power chic look, shoulders are an important focus. Hence, a distinct shoulder is seen on tailored jackets and coats as well as fine knits and evening jerseys. The exaggerated pagoda style shoulders gives edge to a sharp chic coat as well as a tuxedo jacket.

Pantsuits in different versions are in focus this season; in washed silk with rolled up sleeves for daytime, strapless, shiny jersey style for partying and printed chiffon with wide flowing legs for evening elegance.

Prints are feminine, either abstract with uneven spots in summery colours or graphic and delicate. As we cannot seem to get enough of stripes, two-tone stripes can be found on jersey tops, knitwear and even vertical stripes for summer dresses.
Colours are bright and vibrant, with Royal Blue, Coral Pink, Sunshine Yellow, Turquoise and Jewel Green, set against a backdrop of greys, beiges, navy, white & black.

Men
Florida of the 1980’s with its easy-going mood and breezy feel has been a major source of inspiration. The juxtaposition of masculinity, lightness and playfulness in colour and cut, gives a look that is sensual yet manly and relaxed with a hint of glamour. Softly tailored suits mixed with casual t-shirts and espadrille style shoes sums up the mood.

To get that crumpled laid back look, most of the fabrics are pre-washed. The casual look can be found on cotton summer suits, as well as shirts ranging from classic white styles with rolled up sleeves to brighter tropical check patterns and sand washed silk. Jersey tops are either relaxed pastel t-shirt styles with generous necklines and button fronts or more sophisticated with collars and detailing. Linen is a summer favourite, ranging from sloppy knits and jersey tops to elegant summer suits.

Colours are unusually bright and fun, infusing energy into classic pieces. Tones ranging from Swimming Pool Turquoise, Spearmint Green, Candy Pink to Canary Yellow are set against a backdrop of neutral beiges, greys, navy, black and white.

While you are waiting, get inspired by 581c vol. I.

You know what they say about Melbourne – If you can find it you won’t be in Melbourne. Our customers read about us, walk down to Little Collins Street and they can’t find us. Coming all the way from Stockholm, Sweden we have to admit that is a little bit sad. With no help from our landlords regarding a sign we have turned to Google for help. So here it goes… all the way from Sweden to the creative hub of Melbourne.

This is a summery for those that do not know Johan Lindeberg. Johan worked in the advertising industry and moved over to work for Diesel as Creative Director. He created the tagline “For successful living” and won several advertising awards around the world in collaboration with the Swedish ad agency Paradiset. One day he got fed up with it and left Diesel to start a new breed of fashion clothing – J. Lindeberg. The tagline was 21st Century Lifestyle and aimed for the first generation of people that did not grow old. The ambition was high and after spending 40 million AUD in brand investments the venture capital threw him out with the words “even Michelangelo had to listen to the Pope”. 6 months later and one missed catwalk Johan is back. This is the re-launch party held in Stockholm, Sweden. If you want to see the last catwalk done by JL, please visit Swensk on Facebook. You will also find a video from the opening of the new JL Flagship Store in Stockholm.

If you want to get an invitation to the Swensk launch of J Lindeberg in Australia, please send a mail with your contact details to concierge@swensk.com.

Melbourne’s new Swedish clothing store Swensk has 30% off selected stock for 2 weeks. Labels include Filippa K, Whyred and Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair. Women’s and Men’s clothing and shoes. Located in the walk through of CH2 Building on Little Collins and the Tivoli Arcade on Bourke Street.

WHEN: Friday 29th August – Saturday 13th September, 2008

WHERE: Shop 1 230 Little Collins St, CH2 Melbourne Vic 3000

TIMES: Mon – Thursday: 10.00am – 6.00pm, Friday: 10.00am – 7pm, Saturday: 10.00am – 5pm, Sunday: 12pm to 4pm (during sale period only)

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