This season, the Swedish brand sought inspiration through a world of contrasts…
The mood of the day for Swedish brand Hope was melancholic Scandinavian summer, the ‘flow state’, which permeated throughout today’s SS23 presentation – a rather meta setting, recreating a photographer's studio complete with authentic flashes of bright light. One of the show's themes was contrasts: it's the unfurling months of blue skies and sun kissed skin, coupled with the imminent knowledge of impending winter. As the brand puts it themselves: “It’s the perfectly steamed crisp shirt with a scruffy background.”
Through adopting an “eclectic design approach”, Frida Bard, head of design, explored the space between constructed and unconstructed. “Through that research we questioned what it means to be masculine or feminine, put together or laid back, rebellious or following the rules,” explains a spokesperson for the brand. Most evident in one of our favourite, standout looks: the elastic waisted split-front leather trousers, coupled with an oversized burnt orange knit thrown over the shoulder nonchalantly.
Crafted from Italian premium fabrics such as linen, organic cotton and summer tweed, the collection sought inspiration from three different archetypes, the activist, the scout and the gardener. Slouchy, easy knitted dresses featuring cheeky triangle cut-outs, oversized blazers with utility detailing and Trinity-esque sci-fi halternecks worn over oversized shirts - all in a wearable palette of off-white, dry beige and sun bleached orange.
“The main design challenge was to find a way to make those contrasting elements and ideas work together and create a cohesive collection. A particular highlight was being able to explore various textures and forms of expression through knitwear and taking it beyond conventional sweaters.”
See the full collection below:
Hope SS23
