It doesn’t take much to get me excited about new work from Norwegian Wood. Last season I loved the statement wooden necklaces made from left-over material from another local Montreal designer, transforming the material into something completely unique. This season she does it again. Taking her surroundings and transforming them into something completely unique and true to her own experiences. The new collection pulls from designer, Angie Johnson’s experiences…
“For SS10 I was inspired by a group of local ladies from an old neighbourhood I used to live in.” says Angie, “The area was a little rundown, especially the main business street (where my apartment happened to be, gorgeous apartment, crap area). The street was very grey, rundown, lots of concrete, few trees. But there were these amazing ladies who would get all done up in traditional dress on Sundays to go to church. I was always mesmerized by the bright graphic patterns of the West African wax cloth fabric used to make their outfits, contrasted against the ugly grey background of our area. They were so happy and excited to see all their friends and although I’m not a religious person, I could see that their religion and church was VERY important to them. It immediately would put me in a good mood, and I never forgot that. I saw these fabrics again and again in my local fabric district, and I knew I finally had the perfect reason to use them.”
I find that with designers they often pull inspirations from rather abstract places, either from books, and idea or something far away, it’s rather rare to read releases that divulge that a designer found inspiration from their every day surroundings. Architecture, color palettes, the way people dress in particular neighborhoods (I live near Chinatown, which has very distinctive aesthetic). It would be hard not to be inspired by what you see everyday, it has to be like brainwashing. Anyway, I’m in love with the idea of the colorful textiles worn in the concrete landscape, it’s such a vivid juxtaposition.
You can find this collection at the Norwegian Wood shop on Etsy, Angie says she’ll be releasing the pieces over the next few weeks, the tanks and some of the accessories are already up, so take a peek!
{ 21 comments }
yay ! !! love this…just visited her studio last week. One of the nicest people in the world and an amazing designer.
she is really so nice!
not to over look the post or the collection (both fantastic)… but i NEED that hair.
i was thinking the same thing. wow!
some pieces are amazing! great designer…
I love the prints.
.-= enc´s last blog ..They’re baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!! =-.
The third look is fabulous. The circle necklace is brilliant. Love her work!
.-= Nickie Frye´s last blog ..vintage American Flag Chambray Shirt sz L =-.
she makes some great necklaces, the circle one is certainly one of them!
LOVE norwegian wood.
.-= Becca´s last blog ..Fresh Style - Work =-.
wow i neeeedd these pieces! Thanks so much for posting them! I will be rushing to get them asap!
xoxo
daringdarlingdelight.blogspot.com
.-= Aleisha Rose´s last blog ..Purikura. =-.
Wow, I love the clashing of the original prints and the accessories are amazing! Well priced too!
Thanks for introducing me to Norwegian Wood Jennine!
What an amazing statement necklace!
.-= A.´s last blog ..When In Doubt, Keep It Simple… =-.
Really love this shop. She has such a great way of mixing feminine qualities with just the right amount of avant garde edge. So great!
.-= Mousevox Vintage´s last blog ..DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: LIZA RIETZ =-.
yeah, that’s a great observation, her work is always so girly in the most unexpected of ways. love it.
I love the pieces, but God, I agree, that model & her hair are stunning. I can’t stop staring at her face even more than the clothes!
What a brilliant line!
Love Grace.
I am so genuinely happy for Angie, she is just awesome. I too love the juxtaposition of the stark and soulless with the vibrant colour and indomitable attitude. How amazing are those people?
.-= Denise @ Swelle´s last blog ..The Dream State Fashion of Salvador Dalí =-.
I love these looks. Some of the prints are very Dries van Noten.
xx
Duck
Wow. The first dress is amazing. Each time a new collection from this line comes out it has that wow factor.
.-= The Clothes Horse´s last blog ..Shop My Closet =-.
These looks are phenomenal!
This is my favorite collection from Angie for sure. Every single piece I adore *_*
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