Moods of Norway AW 2012: Rough mountain elegance

Moods of Norway knows how to throw a splendid show – fascinating the audience season after season, year after year. Simen Staalnacke, Peder Børresen and Stefan Dahlkvist presented their AW 2012 collecton, «Cocktail Mountaineering», at Mathallen Vulkan Friday the 10th of February.

It took a team of 300 persons to carry out the show in front of approximately 1800 people, and the price tag was about 2 million NOKs. The audience were taken deep into the mountains of Norway. The men wore suits in dark earth colors with ropes over their shoulders – just like glacier climbers. At the same time, they got a real cocktail experience – seeing the female models wearing elegant dresses suitable for late clubbing or a fine garden party. In the middle of the show, the designers made a creative stunt with showpieces of knitted sweaters and jackets dipped in neon colors – mixing old Norwegian traditions with modern paintball effects. Some of the outfits were also from the clothing line «Cocktail Sports».

- This collection is a tribute to Norway – the land of rocky mountains. Some of it is much rougher with thicker knits and heavier blazers, representing fashion of 20s and 30s. There´s also the «preppyness» of the 50s, Simen Staanacke says before the enormous show.

The idea for the collection came from their own roots in Stryn, Norway. They went from farm to farm looking at old pictures on the walls of the countryside people. Among the photos were glacier mountaineers with ropes in the dangerous, yet beautiful mountains.

- It´s a very authentic collection. It´s been funny to find inspiration in our home disctrict, Simen continues.

The color scheme is calm shades of blue, burgundy, avocado, mustard yellow, brown, grey and olive. Wool, silk, cotton, corduroy and velvet are among the fabrics. Simen is supporting the idea of making corduroy popular again, much because of the nice texture. Washed velvet lookes egdy and tough, while smooth velvet gives a preppy look, he explains. The collection has a broad variety of prints and patterns: Peacock and Native American feathers, butterflies, muted winter florals, dots, squares and swallows.

The colorful statement gemstone necklaces are made by Tommy Løland and Victoria Pernille Walderstøen – the stylists for the show. For instance, the blue sparkling necklace highlights the blue tones in the printed dress. Simen is proud of these details and key pieces.

- This might be one of the collections where the pieces are most connected. The totality is very good.

The Moods of Norway fairytale seems to be taken into the highest kingdoms of fashion domains. A new flagship store will be opened in New York, more additions will come to the perfume branch and a new male and female accessories collection will be launched. And of course, they are grooming other secrets as well. The Moods of Norway universe expands continuously.

- How do you manage to be so imaginative all the time? Are you born creative or have you taught yourselves up?

- Much of the creativity came at birth, but in our universe – almost everything is possible. We´re so fond of creating. I guesss it´s 50/50. Anyway, we want Moods of Norway to be a lifestyle brand, he finishes.

Text: Hanne Erøy. Photos: Dmitry K Valberg