May 2009 - Style in Sweden - Blogs

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Archive for May, 2009

Ladies, shave your heads!

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

There’s nothing new about girls with short hair. When I saw my flatmate Kajsa with her new haircut a few days ago I realised that the question is not about short or long hair anymore but rather about scissors or shaver.

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Kajsa shaved one side of her head. I think ten years ago everybody would have labelled her as punk but in times of female celebrities wearing extreme short hair such as the Swedish singer Robyn people don’t associate it with this rough image anymore.

The Swedish popstar Robyn

Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson, music and style legend Grace Jones and 80s star Sinéad O’Connor have had short hair for ages. Is it just one of these retro things from the 80s that comes at the moment or is it something new? And should I also shave my head?

Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson in the 80s

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I think it’s somehow new that women who aren’t in the showbiz wear so extreme short haircuts. I even found tips in the Swedish ELLE how to style the new trendy shaved heads (I’m wondering if there’s so much to be styled). Regarding celebrities, it might be an old story.

I’m really fascinated by women with short hair but I have to admit that I’m too cowardly to shave my head. I had quite short hair last year, like the French singer Mireille Mathieu (I know, I’m also one of these retro copycats), but I will probably never dare to take off all my hair. Well, at least not at the moment…

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Posted in Hip & Hype. Trends in Sweden. | 18 comments »

Minimarket meets Alice in Wonderland.

Monday, May 4th, 2009

When we think about fashion we automatically associate it with Paris, Milan or New York. Apart from the low-cost fashion giant H&M’s and some brands such as Cheap Monday, Sweden is not really known for its innovativeness in this branch. However, I find there are a lot of fantastic and very creative Swedish designers who are underappreciated in an international context.

Today, I want to show my favourite one:

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Minimarket’s designers Pernilla, Sofie and Jennifer Elvestedt were inspired by the fairytale Alice in Wonderland when they created their most recent collection. Magician hats, scarves with card game diamonds and pullovers with ladybird patterns are characteristic of Minimarket this season.

You might think now that this is really corny and that you absolutely don’t want to look like a ladybird. I generally agree but I find Minimarket succeeded in taking up the childish and corny theme Alice in Wonderland and translated it into cool, hip and unique clothes.

Here are some examples:

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The hat is my favourite piece but I’m a little bit unsure if it’s worth to pay 800 crowns for it. If I buy it I will let you know…

Pictures from: Mint & Vintage

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Posted in Fashion Findings. | 4 comments »

The Hives. The Black and White Band.

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

The Hives are one of Sweden’s most successful music exports. They fill huge concerts halls almost all over the world and won many prizes. They even brought me to Sweden. I wanted to learn Swedish because I always wanted to interview the Hives so I planned to study one term here. That was in 2007 and I didn’t move back.

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However, the Hives are not just famous for their music. Many magazines such as the British NME praised them for their style. Sometimes I even find them in typical fashion magazines talking about their clothes.

In my opinion they are the best-dressed rock band ever. Generally, I like chic retro garments with clear lines, few colours and contrasts. The Hives exactly merge these four criteria. They just wear elegant black and white 50s style tuxedos, which contrast with their kind of naughty and arrogant music; like a perfect son-in-law making rock music.

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With every album the Hives change some details such as suspenders, neckerchiefs, bow ties or ties. Always, black and white, of course!

“The Hives are the law and you are crime” is one of their song titles. When it comes to their clothes I totally agree. Most rock bands actually look so boring compared to the Hives. Of course, music shouldn’t be about how people look like but it’s great if both fit so fantastically together.

Pictures: Luger

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Posted in Music. | 16 comments »

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »