architecture design - Norway

norwegian “moods” in san franciscoby cecilie klaumannMoods of Norway was ‘born’ inHonolulu, Hawaii, the brainchild ofdesigners Simen Staalnacke and PederBørresen, who had just completed their studiesin Australia and Hawaii. “The idea for theconcept came after a party,” they said duringa whirlwind spring visit to San Francisco,where their fall and winter 2008 collectionswas shown at the 16th annual Norway DayFestival in May.The two creative designers wanted to tellstories from Norway and make clothes for differentmoods. Every Moods of Norway itemhas a small Norwegian detail or twist. For2008, a small and tastefully embroidered tractorcan be found on breastpockets and cuffs,bearing a number enlightening the happywearer as to how many tractors are registeredin Norway.The collection also pays tribute toNorwegian winter sports idols such as legendaryfigure skater Sonja Henie and crosscountryskier Oddvar Brå. Images of Henie’smagical spin, Brå’s broken ski pole and the 10mountain guidelines for safe skiing can befound adorning T-shirts and hoodies.The design duo is skilled with color, astypically seen in their men’s suits. An impressivearray of plaids and solids mix and matchto make a couple of three piece suits into anentire wardrobe.But the pièce-de-résistance in themenswear must be a paisley/psychedelicprinted suit in hot pink, lime green, blue andblack, in which the wearer will no doubt bethe talk of the party – if not the town.More than anything, the clothes are functional,fun, easy to care for and well-made,embracing rustic and downtown sensibilitieswith flair. A collection of eyewear is also inthe included.They were extremely well received by theNorway Day Festival goers in San Francisco,where the area around the stage was packedduring the 45-minute show, – which alsoincluded selections from another renownedNorwegian label: Oleana.Barely four years after the initial brainstormingsession in Hawaii, the company isnow represented in polished shops and showroomsin Norway, Sweden, Denmark,Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Benelux,Iceland, Australia, Japan, and the UnitedStates. Its flagship store opened in Oslo inFebruary this year, located next to a LouisVuitton boutique.Moods of Norway has its headquarter andshowroom in Stryn, a small town famous forglaciers, salmon fishing, and, according toSimen and Peder, one newly opened escalator.BELOW: Moods of Norway falland winter 2008 collections shownat the 16th annual Norway DayFestival in San Francisco.www.moodsofnorway.comPHOTOS BY LEE BLADES/TROND GILBERGPHOTO ERIK KNUDSEN/MOODS OF NORWAY