Luxe furs, college sweaters and baseball caps topped by thick-rimmed spectacles and the occasional cameo of a cartoon character – Munthe's muse for autumn/winter '25 veered very sartorially-savvy Velma Dinkley, spurring us to exclaim, "My glasses!"
There’s an undeniable skill in how founder Naja Munthe distils her collections’ themes into each design – whether it’s the rodeo-ready allure of denim adorned with glitzy fringe or the recontextualization of flea-market lace into dreamy midsummer dresses. This is a woman whose considered wit transforms overt details into subtle styling choices.
Case in point: the scholastic aspirations of her autumn/winter '25 collection. Instead of the usual letterman jackets and overdone crew socks, Munthe’s woman is more Oxford art student than stateside jock. "For this collection, I drew significant inspiration from the university aesthetics of the 1970s, combining an intellectual style with a fresh, sporty energy and a metropolitan sensibility," the designer explains. "The goal was to create a collection that feels effortlessly casual yet undeniably feminine, enhanced by a subtle, boyish edge."
According to Munthe, the overarching theme embodies vibrant ambition and individuality, seamlessly interwoven with a vintage appeal that is both aspirational and approachable. Take the casually slung skinny scarves – arguably a must-have accessory for all Richard Curtis–style frazzled Englishwomen (think Love Actually or The Holiday for a ready-made mood board). Then there are the thick-rimmed statement glasses, an undeniably on-the-nose accessory that still manages to stay subtle enough to dodge any sign of stereotype. "I often subvert my designs and styling with something unexpected to create a multidimensional visual expression," says Munthe. "This interplay of contrasts adds versatility and depth. By challenging traditional expectations, it gives new perspectives on familiar elements, reimagining them in unexpected ways."
One such twist is the addition of fabulous faux furs – light enough to flutter as models walk the runway – and sultry, see-through lace skirts paired with college sweaters featuring quirky cartoon characters. Leather, zebra prints, and bunched-up socks offer playful contrast against striped cotton shirt lapels and neatly buttoned cardigans. While it may be an inference, Munthe’s muse this season is smart, witty, and well-dressed – rather like a sartorially-savvy Velma Dinkley of Scooby Doo, complete with signature glasses and personality to spare.
See the full Munthe autumn/winter '25 collection below.
