Fashion Week Stockholm SS19 opened with a bang, or at least with clothing appropriate for a bang.

The students of the Swedish School of Textiles treated the usually stiff fashion audience to a mature show, not fit for kids or the faint at heart. Perhaps there’s a rebranding of the ‘T’ from Textiles to T&A?

Flesh aside (as it was hanging in a jock strap shown by @dick_international), it’s always interesting to see what the kids are cooking up during those long, alternating snowing-raining-snowing days in Borås! And, even if the clothes weren’t for everyone, there was a lesson for everyone: diversity.

All of the student presentations were more diverse than just about every other show in the Fashion Week calendar! As the KRULL editors stood to applaud the next generation of industry leaders, we could only hope that these visionaries continue to champion diversity in the roles they play post-climax of the show.

In the shows and days that followed the opening Swedish School of Textiles presentation, there was the expected offering of conservative, minimalist looks … some fit for a day at work or night at play in Söder, and some fit for a queen (or The Queen at Camilla Thulin). But I found it more fun to consider the after-dark offerings.

The avant garde jewels at The Design Forum proved that boys can have fun too. Whether an added touch or complete ensemble beckoning a touch, the crowning and draped chainmail was brilliant and beautiful. And the ball-and-chain necklace and cuff were the only ball and chain I could imagine carrying without complaint, or discretion.

Emelie Janrell was also gender equal in her vamp offering. (Note: the sock garters, black sheer and bejeweled look fondly reminded me of Krull’s 2017 “REVERENCE“ shoot with then-Royal Opera dancer Clyde Archer Emanuel.)

I found the updated PJs offered by Stina Larsson at The Swedish School of Textiles, Lazoschmidl (on Sebastien, the latest HOPE campaign model and a familiar face to KRULL, #staytuned) and Diana Orving to be cozy and chic.

Maybe I was biased after flying to Stockholm in a set of PJs, nevertheless, I left assured that SS19 will offer a few new sets for every occasion (other than sleeping).

xx
RL Pearsall
Fashion Director

All photos courtesy of Swedish Fashion Council and Fashion Week Stockholm