Stine Goya spun a frosted fairytale worthy of Hans Christian Andersen for her new collection
At Stine Goya, the brand’s autumn/winter 2023 Freeze collection celebrated the crisp beauty of an endless winter. “I fell in love again with a story from my childhood; the power and prowess of Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen,” the namesake founder told Vogue Scandinavia. “This tension between her fierce intellect and soft vulnerability fascinates me.” At the very heart of Stine Goya’s collections is often storytelling; this time the contemporary take on tales of old with an updated interpretation of the classic wintery fable, repackaged for the runway. The monarch transforms from an arctic warrior who is “conquered, but ultimately set free, by love’s tenderness and warmth”, as Goya puts it.
This is all in stark contrast to their spring/summer 2023 collection, which whisked us away to a tropical beach with (exploding) giant sand dunes. Today, the Stine Goya woman sets foot in a frosted landscape, at a high altitude, complete with snowy peaks and a stark night sky. “Confidence is something I always want to instil in our wearer. So, in conceptualising our modern-day snow queen, we looked to Aspen and the timeless style of the women who frequent its slopes,” explains Goya. “I loved the idea of trying to encapsulate this nonchalant form of confidence that comes with such an extravagant lifestyle. This was really interesting to me.”
As such, “Freeze” is imbued with eccentric pieces, extravagant layers and head-to-toe exaggerated shapes. Heart-shaped necklines – a nod to the Snow Queen’s frozen heart – softened androgynous boxy blazers, oversized coats, and elevated dresses. Add a touch of playful wonder, seen in dungaree straps and the salopettes, and the collection is rich in both sartorial elements and narrative. “The Maxime coat is the ultimate embodiment of our AW23 snow queen,” according to the founder. Made out of 100 per cent recycled faux fur and embellished with dazzling snowflakes, she says, "it’s safe to say everyone at Goya HQ will be wearing this piece all year round.”
The palette also stays on theme for the season. Shimmering icy tones and soft pinks recall the weather-beaten blush of cheeks and grey mountain peaks, all set against a background of an opaque navy sky. As for Goya’s signature prints, we see an abstract mountain scape in luxe gold jacquard, frosted floral prints and the brand's “Le Kiss” print emblazoned on supple leather.
See the full collection below:
Stine Goya - AW23
