Monday saw the commencement of Stockholm Fashion Week and firing the starting gun was the prestigious annual Rookies Awards. This year Lisa Wikander’s Mes Dames took home the gold.
Beneath the layers of Chantilly lace and silk lies the cutthroat and near-impenetrable world of fashion. As a designer, getting noticed by the right people is crucial, but oftentimes more difficult than figuring out the Danish number system.
That’s why the Rookies are so important. It provides a platform for new and lesser known designers to showcase their talents. It also awards the winner 10,000 sek worth of look-book printing and dedicated retail space in Stockholm’s supremely stylish store The Casbah.
There are some limiting requirements though; only five fashion labels are nominated. Nominees are chosen from a lineup of extremely talented designers, all of whom undergo interviews with the jury (who want to see the personality behind the brand). The jury’s top five picks go on to partake in a fashion show, showcasing their collection to the press and jury. After this, the winner is announced and one designer’s life is changed forever.
Take for example the House of Dagmar, who won the very first Rookies back in 2005. Today, the label sells in nine countries as well as on swish online retailer, Net-a-Porter. It’s also been featured in British Vogue and Style.com. So it’s little wonder why the crème de la crème of Stockholm’s designers go all out to vie for prize place in the awards.
This year’s nominees were women’s wear designers Mes Dames and Anna Ekre, men’s accessories designer C. Dellstrand, Krista Kretzschmar Jewellery, and menswear designer Nor Autonom. Competition was steep and diverse, but in the end the romantic and elegant Mes Dames spring/summer 2014 collection nailed the award.
More on the designers:
Mes Dames
Founded by designer Lisa Wikander, Mes Dames is a Swedish women’s wear label with its roots in France. Wikander’s ambition is to create well-tailored, timeless, elegant and feminine fashion. The clothes are made for independent, stylish women who appreciate fine tailoring and luxurious materials. Inspired by strong female characters, each collection has its own muse. The current spring/summer 2014 collection, which won them first place, takes its vision from Swedish entrepreneur, Estrid Ericson, founder of interior design company Svenskt Tenn.
Anna Ekre
Designer Anna Ekre has a degree in fashion design as well as graphics and illustration, both of which she utilises in her work. She creates women’s wear for the strong, independent female who isn’t a slave to trends, but who has a definitive, lasting style. The label combines beauty and drama in edgy collections that balance playfulness, quality and sophistication with each garment telling a different story.
C. Dellstrand
C. Dellstrand was founded by Christoffer Dellstrand in 2010. His first studio was opened in Paris where his unpretentious leather creations were entirely handmade by the himself. The label’s expertly crafted and minimalistic style (said to be drawn from contemporary architecture, furniture design and stationary products) quickly became a global hit and almost three years down the line, the exclusive leather goods are sold in ten retailers spanning seven countries, including New York, Tokyo, Kuwait and, of course, Stockholm.
Krista Kretzschmar Jewellery
Krista Kretzschmar works with gold, silver, bronze and precious and semi-precious stones to create unique pieces and custom made creations. She draws her inspiration from the world of animals and earls as well as from her glass-engraver grandfather. She also mixes her enthusiasm for Japanese aesthetics with Italian history, design and fashion, which is reflected in her one-of-a-kind pieces.
Nor Autonom
Nor Autonom is a menswear brand founded by Nicolas Richard in 2011. It’s known for its creative men’s clothing as well as for its innovative and intricate details and accessories all of which are made from the highest quality leathers, yarns and fabrics using a variety of post-treatments and techniques, further lending to their distinguished features.
With all these amazing emerging designers on our doorstep, one can’t help but feel the urge to step up and support them by collecting a few of their gorgeous pieces… It’s not shopping, honey, it’s an investment!
Visit our Gallery to check out the highlights of the Rookies!
Kirsten Smart
Kirsten blindly followed her husband from South Africa to the land of snow and snus in 2011 and proceeded to procreate. When she isn’t discovering the 101st use of the humble wet wipe, she can be found writing adjective-laden articles for YLC.
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