How designers dress - YouLookFab Forum

Ingunn Birkeland is the name of a Norwegian designer and dress maker, who recently did an appearance on the Norwegian version of the TV-show Sewing Bee (Symesterskapet). I knew of her work, but this was the first time I saw her in person.

I was intrigued by how she chose to dress for the occasion, as she got prime TV-time to reach a whole new audience and showcase her trademark style and design. I added pics of her TV-apperance and some of her work.

I couldn't help but ponder how I myself would have chosen to dress for such an event, to try to communicate my work through my outfit. I am an amateur painter and "artist" my self (said without trying to be pretentious or self gratulatory, ha ha), but I don't express this side of me through clothing at all. Mostly because I don't know how.

I feel she did a great job in choosing colours and silhouette, but maybe on expense of dressing current? This is exactly the issue I struggle with my self. I want to convey that I am "with it" and trend-aware, but still keep some of my signature style (whatever that is).

Language is a barrier for me, so I hope this post doesn't come across as inappropriate or rude! If it is across the line to discuss named celebrities clothes and styling, feel free to delete or edit this post.

I would love to hear your thoughts and analysis on this topic in general, and her outfit in particular.

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think it’s an interesting topic! It’s clear that her colorful design aesthetic is true to her personal style as well. I’ve noticed that to be true in American design shows (Project Runway being the most notable). I always enjoy seeing what the designers wear, as well as what they create. It’s also interesting to me that they are not often terribly trend-driven — they carve out their own aesthetic and stick to it (sometimes to their own peril in the context of a competition show, when they can start to look like they are a bit of a one-trick pony).

Personally, I’m always trying to balance a little bit of trend and current-ness into my preferred style. I think I’m a lot older than you (I’m in my mid 50s) and feel like I’m trying too hard to dress young if I pile on one too many trends, but I feel a bit behind-the-times if I don’t incorporate at least one current-looking item in an outfit to show I’m aware of what year it is. The older I get, the more assured I am of my own style. As an artist myself, I do feel like my personal style is a window into how I see the world and to the art I create, even though it’s not fashion design.

Synne

Yes, Janet! I have to word my self carefully, but I was a little disappointed in that she didn't incorporate any current-ness in her outfit. It reads to me that she doesn't pay attention to trends, what is now, rather only combining whatever she herself finds fancy and flattering. As a potential costumer of her designs, I would then be hesitant if she could be trusted to create a garment that would be Birkeland anno 2019, not only "This is what I like", if that makes sense. This is a really interesting, and in no doubt complicated topic.

With that said, it is of course so much easier to play Captain Hindsight and see what could be improved in others. I am sure I would in no way do an equally good or better job than her. It is just interesting to ponder!

Ah, see, I think there is an argument to be made that designers should be aware of the trends, but a step ahead of them! I personally don’t necessarily want to see them creating and wearing looks that are already out there at retail, I think it’s interesting to see them doing something new that stands out from the crowd in their own way (not just kooky for the sake of being kooky, which I think is a whole other pitfall). Sometimes that means looking a little out of step with what we non-designers are seeing in our environment, but who knows, it may be what’s hot next year?

All the more reason to be true to your own aesthetic, as an artist or even just in our own personal style, IMHO. Fashion is so fickle. Like Heidi Klum said on PR: “One day you’re in, the next day you’re out.”

Yes, agreed, Janet. Karl Lagerfeld and Vivienne Westwood springs to mind as someone who does (did) this to perfection. To create their own uniform that transcends any trend or timeframe. I am still not sure this particular designer succeeded, though. I would love to see the same colours in clothes with a more current cut. Or the use of textures and layers to create architectural interest, not only focusing on colors, that way polyester is OK from head to toe. I am approaching snarky territory here....

kkards

i think there is also a fine line between current and trendy, and that for me, the colors that she chose, especially because of the colors that she chose for her footwear, make the more traditional silhouette feel very current. for me, if she had chosen the same colors and are more trendy silhouette the outfit would have verged on a costume.

rachylou

Well, now I don’t know. I like her work and I also think *I’d* look real cute in her outfits... but I have to say I don’t know if they’re working for her. I don’t know that it’s because they’re not current - everything kinda goes right now - but I feel like I don’t know who she is. I mean, I’d wear her outfits there to an office party probably not for a tv appearance.

But then... well, it’s like with Marc Jacobs... I’ve seen him looking pretty bad, lol. Like scarred for life by that one outfit - brogues, short leg-baring socks, crumpled flannel shirt and polished pleated skirt. Great on a high school girl, not so natty on an adult titan of industry with some bulk. Jus’ sayin’...

Bennett

Her choice of color mixes, in her own personal wear and her fabric creations, are what stand out to me. She appeared on this show wearing classic shapes in a variety of sorbet mixes (including legwear) with the statement earring. Her exactly repeating silhouette with the only difference being the color mixes is unusual and interesting to me. I can't think of any other designer with this 'uniform'.

When a designer surprises me with their eye for unusual color combinations, I see that person as leaning more towards 'artist' than 'designer' in the creative spectrum. Mary Katrantzou is another who wows me with her colors and fabrics, and she is typically dressed in black.

Anyway, by googling her images I can see she is evolving in her personal look. I like what I see!

Synne...you might find this this blog post interesting. it's old, from 2014, but i think revelant to your topic, and an interesting cross section of designers and outfits.

https://youlookfab.com/2014/03.....he-runway/

and Angie's closing sentence....food for thought
Perhaps most of all, and perhaps expectedly, I find that designers march to their own drum. Whether it is conservative or crazy, their style is seldom a slave to the trends.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the colour mixes in these pics!

Cardiff girl

I think that she looks cute.Maybe as an artist she is more interested in being original/authentic than current?

Jaime

Interesting topic. I don't know what her pieces look like, but a lot of designers seem to prefer uniform dressing. I don't think she looks not current - just doing her own thing, which is its own sort of current.

slim cat

Your post made me curious about that designer. They called it "slow fashion" instead of fast fashion. There is more intricate hand work, creativity and less interest in mass produced things. I think she look adorable in her own special way and really stands out.

Thanks for all your replies! Yes, slim cat, she does slow fashion, hand weaving geometric patterns in bright colours, out of materials like recycled plastic. Thats part of her signature design.
But she didnt wear her own creations on TV (other than her signature earrings). She isnt wearing her own (often extravagant, see pic 3 & 4) designs in other public appearances either. She still manages to show her design style through her outfits. Fun to see and interesting to analyze

Stagiaire Fash

So I went looking through old posts to try to find out when your birthday is (are you a child of summer?) and came across this. I’m curious what you think of these looks now, two years later. To me, the color mixes seem absolutely on point and current.

2 years ago

Anonymous

Love the 4th dress! Her color mixes are fun, but still harmonious to me.

Category