Last week I had the pleasure of attending Oslo Runway—a week-long annual event designed to showcase Norway’s most exciting and talented designers and their latest collections. Now in its ninth year, the event functions as a meeting place for the Norwegian creative industry and offers a front-row view of the intersection between fashion, lifestyle, art, and culture.
As a long time admirer of Scandi style and design, during my jam-packed 3-day trip I excitedly immersed myself in all things Norwegian fashion through a whole host of lively runway shows, presentations, and pop-ups throughout the city. I came back to L.A. with a sartorial excitement and my iPhone notes filled to the brim with exciting new brands, designers, people and places which I can’t wait to share with you today.
The creative excellence, sustainable ethos, passion and pride for both tradition and innovation was unmistakable at Oslo Runway. Of a strong lineup, here are 6 brands that really caught my eye in this month’s showcase.
Ilag (which means “togetherness” in Norwegian) is one of Oslo's most exciting emerging brands founded by creative director, Renate Nipe in 2020. The brand takes pride in making beautiful, comfortable, and joyous everyday clothing that is also sustainable. Known for its use of bright light colors, relaxed silhouettes, and billowy fabrics, Ilag’s S/S 24 collection was a breath of fresh air—replete with stunning textured fabrics, subtle saccharine shades, wearable prints, and deliciously soft materials. The brand oozes an effortless sense of cool that you’ll take joy in wearing day to day.
With a sustainable approach, founder Benedikte Ringberg, launched Atelier Hinode at the start of 2023 and has already garnered a huge following among the Scandi fashion set. The brand embodies timeless designs with a focus on elegant simplicity, precise tailoring, and multifunctional purposes. Inspired by volume and femininity of blooming flowers, the S/S 24 collection featured graceful and elegant designs—carefully constructed to feature multiple ways of wearing each piece. In other words, Atelier Hinode's designs are as versatile as it gets and have a minimalist yet bold quality that are made to last.
Of the many Norwegian brands that presented at Oslo Runway, O.A.D. made a lasting impression. Headed by Maria Lilly Flakk, the knitwear brand (which only launched last fall), is dedicated to craftsmanship—using their knowledge of wool to achieve the finest quality knits from the most robust materials—made to withstand all weather and seasons. O.A.D's latest collection draws inspiration from the raw beauty of Norways breathtaking landscapes.The pieces made from Norwegian wool, kid mohair, silk, alpaca, yak, and super-long extra-fine merino wool is based on classic designs from Norway’s heritage merino wool brand Devold, reimagined in fresh and modern ways. One thing is clear—their commitment to creating enduring styles that will last for generations.
As one stylish Oslo native I spoke to put it, if you're going to a wedding, graduation or any special soirée for that matter, byTiMo is the go-to brand to wear. Known for its vintage-inspired silhouettes, and romantic and feminine designs, mother and daughter duo—Tine and Elisa Mollatt have created a palpable buzz around the internationally recognized brand. Sustainably made with special attention to detail featuring unique colors and prints made in-house, its S/S 24 collection is centered around botanical prints and antique florals rendered in materials such as lace, heavy duchess satin, flowing organza, and sequins.
Practically every cool fashion person during Oslo Runway was wearing a statement piece from Oslo-based jewelry brand, Pearl Octopuss.y—a testament to the cult following they have established since their inception in 2018. Established and crafted by Catherine Boerter, the eccentric, bold, and unique pieces featuring baroque pearls and glistening jewels, are handmade with an obsessive care for detail, craftsmanship. This year's highly-anticipated runway show (which was staged in what might be the coolest artsy loft in Oslo), expanded its offerings with a line up of glistening fringe-trimmed blazers, silk scarves and tuxedo belts, long leather coats and billowing dresses—offering something extra-special to their devoted fan base.
The epitome of quiet-luxury, Catherine Hammel's distinct minimalist-cozy aesthetic is one that leaves a memorable mark. The designer's latest collection boasts sumptuous knits and sensuous textures in a palette of calming neutral hues grounded in practicality. Quality pieces we got to experience first-hand in her very own picturesque two-storey home in Oslo. Over the past 25 years, the brand has created high-end, long-lasting pieces for modern people exuding an effortless yet distinctive look. Unquestionably, the kind of brand you'd find Gwyneth Paltrow in if she was shopping in Oslo.
