The Cool Project: Wool – the natural choice

«The Cool Project» designers displayed how much details wool can reveal with their unique patterns and texture in their catwalk show the 8th of February. The designers L&J, Kristin Merete Volden, Lisa Ngo and Camilla Bruerberg were handpicked, undoubtedly because of their sense of quality and respect for wool. It started as a contest arranged by Oslo Fashion Week together with the traditional retailer store Heimen – the beating heart of knit and wool in Norway.

With full rows, the models were styled and ready for a winter walk on the catwalk. With eyes bright blue with makeup, they carried the clothes with dignity and pride. They had all the reason to – the exquisite hand work and materials witness of Norwegian knit and pattern traditions  – and of course, the inspiration from the nature.

- The color blocking is actually what I see when I wake up in the morning – slopes and sea, Jason Sharpe from L&J says about a striped t-shirt in beige and dark blue.

Jason and his wife Linne Røsstad Sharpe are known for their commercial wool items with very fine quality. The choice of taking the woolen designer road was not hard, because they have both grown up with wool as a natural way of covering their skin.

- It´s the most practical choice, especially in Norway and Scandinavia. The idea of using sheep and wool is also great for the economy, he continues.

Jason gives a huge compliment to the other designers and Eirik Mogseth, who styled the items with jewelry from Karen Pederstad. Some of the clothes and accessories are also from Heimen and Husfliden.

Camilla Bruerberg has mixed traditional Norwegian knit patterns with flamingos.

- It´s a mix of the American influence from Florida, especially evident here in Norway in the 50´s, and the traditions of this country, Camilla explains.

She points out what´s unique with «The Cool Project»:

- Designers in their starting phase get to work with a traditional and big retailer company like Heimen. It´s been very exciting to work against a commercial approach.

Kristin and Lisa have been working around the clock, especially because many of the items are made by hand.

- One of my pieces has 300 pompons, and you can imagine how much time it takes to make it, Kristin says with a smile.

Click here to check out all the runway photos.

Text: Hanne Erøy. Photos: Dmitry K Valberg.