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DD: Why work alone?
SB: I'm scared to work with
someone. First of all my work is so personal. I could be really
enthusiastic one hour and the next hour I could be ready to kill
myself. It's difficult to open up to someone in that way
DD: You can really see the blood, sweat and tears that goes into your work…
SB: I'm not scared to show my
emotions. I don't feel ashamed that I'm this kind of person. I'm afraid
that I might end up being more responsible and less free and uncensored
in my creations (if I took someone on).
DD: What was the starting point for the S/S 09 “Pool Position” collection?
SB: It was actually a sequel to the previous collection I did. It sounds kind of silly when I explain it!
It was such a strange experience with the bruises collection. I lost my
grandmother and at the same time she took her last breath, I fell down
the stairs. That happened one and a half weeks before I was supposed to
go to Miami. It was a really dark time for me.
DD: I had no idea that it was so soon after that happened! Was Miami a sort of escape then?
SB: I don't even know why I
agreed to go. It was a strange situation to be this pale, depressed
Swedish girl in November going to Miami for this really intense week. I
was so surprised by the architecture, by the whole situation. It was a
strange city. I got really inspired by the complete contrast between my
state of my mind at the time and that colourful, crazy city. These
pieces are almost like a Sandra Backlund cruise collection
The girl (in the S/S 09 images) is not the poolside kind of girl - she's really depressed!
DD: Do you bear in mind how people see your collections?
SB: I do sometimes. I get
struck by the idea that people might lose interest in what I do because
it's TOO personal. I try to find the balance. I don't know the recipe
of how to find that balance. Everytime, I have to find how the
collection works with or without the story.
DD: Have you ever tried working with another language other than knitting?
SB: For every collection, I DO
work with fabric. But it's just that up until now it hasn't been
working. In the end, it never quite fits. I definitely think I could do
it. I just need to find the right way. The problem is if you apply what
I do to fabrics, then it's been done before; like fabric origami
techniques. It's been done - a thousand times, in couture etc.
DD: You have done the student thing. You've established a signature. How do you see yourself moving forward?
SB: I don't come from a fashion
capital and so my journey is a bit slower. I'm not stressed but I'm
anxious to move. I can't wait! It's going too slowly at the moment. I
would really like to have a show in one of the capitals on-schedule. I
had so many people requesting invitations last season when I exhibited
in London.
It’s so funny that there’s this bubble/illusion that the press have
created. People think there’s a production team and lots of people
working for me. They write to me applying for internships and asking to
speak to the press/production manager when really it’s just me doing
everything!
DD: Maybe people see that you’re on the edge of greatness and want to jump onboard for the ride. When can we expect a show then?
SB: I want it to be as soon as
possible. I know I don't have many looks, budget or know everyone. I
still want it to be as perfect as possible…
