Design Competition N x NW

Voting for the People's Choice winner will begin on September 30.
Visit www.nordicfashionbiennale.com to vote for your favorite!

What does it mean to be inspired by Nordic design? Twelve emerging fashion designers are going to find out. The North by Northwest (N x NW) fashion competition is an exciting new element of the Nordic Fashion Biennale. The purpose of the competition is to inspire creativity, encourage emerging designers to seek out new directions, and spark awareness of new trends in Nordic fashion. Two lucky winners will each win a trip to Iceland!

The competition was open to fashion students, recent fashion school graduates (received fashion degrees within the last 2 years), and emerging fashion designers; who reside on the West Coast of the US (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska) or Canada (British Columbia, Yukon Territories). There will be two winners: one chosen by a panel of fashion industry experts and one winner, the People's Choice Winner, chosen by a public vote. The competition opened on May 5, 2011 and the deadline for entries was August 1, 2011. Entries are an original creation that is wearable and inspired by Nordic design: either an article of clothing, or a fashion accessory such as shoes, a hat, scarf, handbag, piece of jewelry, etc. The entries will be judged on creativity, feasibility, and execution.The two winners will receive round-trip airfare from Seattle to Reykjavik, Iceland, three night's accommodations, and tickets to a special fashion event during the 2012 Reykjavik Fashion Festival.

FINALISTS:

• Sara Bergman (OR)

Midsummer Dress, (Wool flannel, hand-dyed, July 2011). As an American descendent of Norwegian and Swedish immigrants, I began by wondering what my ancestors thought to be beautiful. In that light, I wanted to interpret a very old-fashioned and natural textile in a modern way. The use of wool flannel, hand-dyed to create a marbled effect, conjures a sense of comfort and heritage, while the silhouette is informed by the geometric trends in current Nordic design that achieve a brilliant functionality. The concept of this dress was also inspired by the dual nature of glacial ice, which is sharply faceted while flowing like an imperceptibly slow river.

• Sarah Borruso (CA)

Dress, Play of Lines, II (Silk chiffon and crepe de Chine 2011). This three-layered silk dress was inspired by a textile design called Play of Lines by the Finnish designer Dora Jung. Her textile—which won the Grand Prix at the 11th Trienniale in Milan in 1957—literally inspired me to “play with lines.” While Jung's piece played with black and white lines on the warp and weft of her loom, my piece involved cutting lines free from cloth. The ultimate effect is a bit of an optical illusion—razor-cut transparent black lines overlap and intersect to create various shades of grey, grey-green, black and turquoise on the surface of the dress.

 

• Banchong Douangphrachanh (WA)

Neoprene Draped Jacket, (3mm Neoprene, July 2011).The Scandinavians are legendary for their boatbuilding skills. The anatomy of a sailboat was used as inspiration for developing and producing this jacket. A boat's hull is strong and sturdy to withstand the force Nature throws its way. The 3mm neoprene this jacket is made from is resilient enough to hold its shape, resulting in a great form. It will also keep the wearer warm under wet conditions.When closed, the jacket collar points prominently to the side, like a sail under strong wind. Open, it flows smoothly, similar to a sail at rest.

 

• Tanya Min Jee Ellis (WA)

Asymmetrical Coat, ( Blended wool, 2011 collection)

Timeless design coupled with old-world craftsmanship, the ASYMMETRICAL COAT visually manifests the elegance of traditional Nordic Design as well as the personal core values by which I live, breathe and design. Other key principles include: ·sustainability: the material, design and construction are inspired by the quality of handcrafted Nordic tradition.·simplicity: practicing restraint and implementing that “less is more” mentality in my body of work.·function + performance: catering to the refined woman on the go .Each designed piece maintains, above all, an aura of beauty and elegance.

 

• Yeon Jang (BC)

Backpack, (Canvas and leather, July 2011). This design is inspired by Nordic pattern and a vintage hiker's look. The color theme is a series of browns. I used beige canvas and brown leather combinations for the outside and dark brown with orange thread for the inside. Half of the front is patchwork inspired by Nordic patterns of snowflakes and deer on Nordic sweaters and skirts. Most of the topstitches are hand-stitched because I think it looks more handmade and gives it a vintage look.

• Meg Lord (OR)

Felt Jacket, (Un-dyed merino wool, hand felted, July 2011). This garment was inspired by the Oseberg and Gokstad Viking ships. The craftsmanship is inspiring not only for the wood carvings on the front keel but for the beautiful overlapping oak shell that curves around the frame and comes to a point at the stern and bow. I incorporated the strips of felt to curve around the body and arms in the same fashion. The use of wool and felting has a very strong history in Nordic culture and with wool being a renewable resource, it is immensely versatile and sustainable.

• Scott Ian McFarland (CA)

Hooded Cardigan, (Cotton and alpaca/wool yarn. July 2011)

When I began to think of Nordic cultures and design, strong images came to my mind: fearless mythic warriors, heavy materials, extreme cold and the willingness to explore the unknown.I translated these representations into this garment.The simplicity of the shape, the purity of the black and white, the exclusive use of undyed material and the very thick materials are to me all reminders of these traditions. However, times have changed since the Vikings, and therefore I created for the conqueror of this new era a very enveloping and sensual jacket she can don like a suit of armor.

 

• Kristie Metcalf (WA)

White Nights Dress
(Silk body, nylon mesh yoke, rayon lining
July 2011)

The genius of Nordic design for me is in its fusion of form with function. Natural elements are often shaped to surprisingly innovative uses in ways that suggest a simple, elegant practicality. I was introduced to this sensibility early in life. My mother, who is of Swedish heritage, filled our home with modern Scandinavian furniture. In the tradition of that aesthetic, I wanted my piece to have clean lines, but also be striking and whimsical, and above all else, still very wearable. The rolling hand-appliquéd design on the hem line evokes Marimekko prints and the folk painting on Swedish Dala horses. The polka dot pattern on the yoke of the dress was inspired after seeing Camilla Diedrich's laser cut textile work in the recent 17 Swedish Designers exhibit at the museum.

 

• Alison Owen (WA)

Hardingfele Hat, (Wool, embroidery thread, grosgrain ribbon, hat sizing). This hat was inspired by the Norwegian folk fiddle the Hardingfele. The Hardingfele emits beautiful haunting undertones when played and I wanted to echo this in my piece as well as the style lines of the fiddle itself. I incorporated some of the shapes of the fiddle into the body of the hat as well as the traditional art of rosemaling in the adornment of the hat. I chose a Norwegian historical item as my inspiration because a branch of my family originated in Norway. These people raised me to love the history and the culture as well.

• Malia Peoples (WA)

Nikita Mini Dress, (Textured 1960s vintage double-knit polyester details in canary and cream houndstooth, and orange embossed flowers. Thick navy blue cotton slub-knit bodice. Black rayon and viscose blend details and trim, buttons.June 2011)

 

“Friends across the Globe: With a warm heart, I present to you the Nikita Dress. Inspired by a blend of notable mid-century Scandinavian design elements, the Nikita pairs the clean minimalism and simple lines found in Danish furniture with the eye-catching color, composition, and quality of Marimekko's designs. The Nikita reflects the youthful fashion exuberance on display at any given street corner in Stockholm or party in Reykjavik. Having been there in online magazines, I have witnessed the explosive shouts of color and attitude. Youth is the future of fashion, it is the spark, and this rings true no matter when and where we are."

 

• Shelby Robertson (CA)

Hats, The Fisherman and The Huldra. (Buckram, wire, wool, Sea Bass leather, fishing net, feathers; Velvet, bird's wing, buttons, ribbons and trims.June 2011) The Fisherman is a dapper men's Wellington top hat made of lambs wool and features fish leather and an antique fishing net. It channels traditional materials of the seafaring working man into a modern, sophisticated topper. The Huldra, its ladies' counterpart, is inspired by the Scandinavian folkloric seductress who lives in the woodlands and lures men to their demise with her dazzling beauty. Rich, forest green velvet is adorned with a bird wing, leaves and ribbons, and ends with a tassel, reminiscent of the Huldra's revealing tail and also inspired by the iconic tassel of the Icelandic National Costume's tail-cap.

 

• Natalya Robinson (CA)

AleftinaConvertible Vest, (Handmade textiles from cotton and wool yarns,July 2011)

As I honor elements from my heritage and draw upon modern style, the influence of Nordic Design sparked an inspiration that has been brewing a culmination of styles in me to create and express a unique look. The tradition of craftsmanship and sensible efficient use of resources for materials is a practice that I am conscious of and is presented with my reversible pieces provided.

This layered vest is composed of two separable convertible parts, this could be flipped upside down, reversed, gathered in a hood or high fashion collar, overall result is a single piece of clothing converting into 19 different multiple looks. I have developed the fabric from scratch, as a tribal organic take on lace, handmade by manipulating the interlacing of 100% cotton (the white layer) and 100% wool (the grey layer) yarns.
The choice of fiber content is reminiscent of the sense, elegance, beauty of nature, and the cooler northern climates. The simplicity of this clean and warm modern silhouette is an extremely functional and affordable design that is easily accessible. The sophistication of these two single piece patterns is dictated through the engineering, as my design principles show no extra components, only what is needed is used in combining function and aesthetics.

 

Judges bio:

Steinunn Sigurðadóttir (Iceland): Steinunn Sigurðadóttir started her education at the Reykjavik School of Art, then moved to Parsons School of Design in New York, where she earned honors while attaining a BFA in Fashion Design.  In her early years, she gained invaluable experience with cashmere, silk and other knit materials while working as a designer at Ralph Lauren.  Since then she has received countless awards, been featured in many museums and exhibitions and started her own line.  STEiNUNN, the designer's label, is based out of Reykjavik but is sold in exclusive high-end stores in all corners of the world.

Yvan Mispelaere (France): Yvan Mispelaere grew up in France. After his studies, Mispelaere spent a number of years with various French and Italian couturiers and fashion designers. In 1989, he started training with Claude Montana who at the time was head of Haute Couture at the House of Lanvin. After five years as Montana's assistant, Mispelaere went to Rome to work for Italian couturier Valentino in 1994.  Mispelaere was wooed away by Prada to Milan in 1998.  His stylish resume also includes time spent as head of the women's design studio at Gucci, design director under Phoebe Philo at Chloé, and artistic director of  Louis Féraud. In April 2010, Mispelaere joined the Diane Von Furstenberg creative team as Creative Director. 

Ole Henriksen (Denmark): Ole Henriksen was born and raised in Denmark. His fascination with skin care began while working as a show dancer and model in Indonesia, after a bout of acne was cured by the natural treatments of a talented aesthetician. Henriksen graduated from the Christine Shaw Beauty College in London and worked for Helena Rubinstein before moving to the United States. Today, his skin care products are sold internationally; his spa business, Ole Henriksen Face/Body, has become a prominent Sunset Boulevard landmark; and his client list is replete with names of famous models and actors. He has appeared on programs such as Oprah Winfrey, The Today Show, and Entertainment Tonight. Henriksen has also served as a judge for the Miss Universe Pageant, as well as authoring a best-selling book “Ole Henriksen's Seven Day Skin Care Program.”

The two winners will receive round-trip airfare from Seattle to Reykjavik, Iceland, three night's accommodations, and tickets to a special fashion event during the 2012 Reykjavik Fashion Festival.