Author name: Odalisque

An interview with Gestuz on their SS26 collection Written by Ulrika Lindqvist Gestuz SS26 arrives like a shift in motion, balancing edge and elegance, stillness and speed. The collection draws bold inspiration from vintage motorsport aesthetics, weaving utilitarian leather, sharp tailoring, and fluid draping into a wardrobe of contrasts. From 70s Formula One glamour to modern silhouettes built for movement, creative director Sanne Sehested delivers a powerful vision of womanhood that refuses to be singular. In this conversation with Odalisque, she shares the creative process behind the collection, how archival inspiration met future ambition, and why the return of Gestuz footwear marks an exciting new chapter. Ulrika Lindqvist: Please tell us about the process in creating the ss26 runway show? Sanne Sehested: It started already in the beginning of 2025 with designing the collection. And from then on, everything revolves around the combination of the collection and the show concept. I am fortunate that we create the show concept in-house meaning that we already talk collection and concept in one go. This gives us the possibility to make sure everything we do for the collection is thought into the show and vice versa. From then on it is months of working on location, guest management, press meetings, model casting, hair and makeup look, fittings and much more until we stand with a room full of guests and the music starts.  UL: How did you choose the location for the runway show? SS: It was the perfect coincidence. We had our eyes set on another venue at first which then fell through. And then we ended up finding the perfect spot here at Paper Island. UL: What does the SS26 collection represent and what was the main inspiration for his collection? SS: The Spring Summer 2026 show explores tension and duality, movement and pause. I wanted to explore the contrasts of femininity and masculinity, stillness and movement, occasion wear and workwear. Referencing the world of motorsport became our language for the qualities often deemed favorable in society – the rougher, fast moving, harder competencies. The full force. And there is a space for that. I love that. I love the sharp suits and heavy denim. The edgy leather. But I also wanted to show the softer, slower, flowing qualities. Those that might be undermined or left behind, but creates a much more interesting journey when combined. It’s about flowing between masculine and feminine without having to consider what society deems “strong”. That you can be a powerful businesswoman while wearing a draped dress, or a soft caring mother while wearing a leather suit with giant shoulder pads. Feminine and sensual – masculine and grounded, changing between the two like shifting gears. Imagery from the 70s and 80s era of Formula One and Le Mans filled our mood boards. Especially pictures of Marie-Claude Charmasson who was a French journalist and race car driver. She is ultra glamorous with this bright blond hair, and in many of the pictures of her, she is wearing a white boiler suit, and her baby blue helmet. She is also often seen with some vivid red elements, and that color combination really inspired us. There is something quite glamourous and interesting about images from vintage racing. The colours, the shape of the cars; there was just something that drew my attention. There were sporty and utilitarian elements in the clothes worn that I find quite captivating when adopted into a modern setting. UL: What was the biggest challenge creating your ss26 collection? SS: Spring summer has always been more challenging for me to create than autumn winter, because I am so inspired by layers and heavier materials. I feel like we are very strong in our autumn winter collection as they are full of denim, layers, knit and leather which is at the heart of Gestuz. Perfecting that in a spring/summer collection without it being too feminine and maintaining the edge, is a challenge. I feel like we have succeeded with the SS26 collection and I am very proud of it. UL: How would you describe the Gestuz customer? SS: She is not one thing, or one size, or one age. She is full of contrast and wants her wardrobe to express that. The GESTUZ team is made up of almost all women, and every day I see the many aspects and ways of womanhood. Powerful businesswomen that can still wear draped dresses, and soft caring mothers wearing leather suits with giant shoulder pads. Feminine and sensual – masculine and grounded, changing between the two like shifting gears. UL: What can we expect from Gestuz in the future? SS: It is actually really exciting for us as we this season are relaunching footwear after not having designed shoes for almost five years. So for the SS26 collection we are paying tribute to some of our old designs in a new way, and it has been really fun to dive into our own archives and visit some old favorites. Our boots were quite a big part of the GESTUZ spirit, and we are relaunching our classic two colored boots in a new fit. As we always did, the focus is on wearability, and that is reflected in the heel height for example. We are bike-riding Scandinavians at the core after all.

“Human Touch is Essential, Not Just in Leadership but in Life” – Azra Osmancevic Natalia Muntean photography Martin Kiessling fashion Azra Osmancevic dress Zamina Scillasdotte Her journey took her from Bosnia to Sweden, across the Atlantic Ocean to New York and then back to Sweden. Azra Osmancevic is a woman of many layers, heavily shaped by metamorphoses between cultures, cities and identities. “I think my journey has been a tapestry of contrasts, with each place adding a unique thread to my identity. It also deepened my belief that culture isn’t just inherited – it’s created and shared through the stories we tell and the connections we build. These transitions have been crucial for me culturally and identity-wise,” says Azra. Azra’s multifaceted career reflects her belief in the power of reinvention and the importance of staying open to opportunities. “I don’t set rigid goals,” she says. “For me, success is a feeling – making a positive impact, staying true to my values, and waking up proud of what I’m building.” Whether through mentorship programs like Femtorship, her work in AI and media, or her passion for fashion and design, Azra’s life is a testament to the strength of resilience, community, and the human touch. Natalia Muntean: You were named Female Leader of the Future in 2023 and mentioned that all leadership starts with strong self-leadership. Can you elaborate on that?Azra Osmancevic: Leadership isn’t about titles or hierarchies, it’s about accountability, purpose, and integrity. For me, it starts with strong self-leadership: knowing who you are, and what you stand for, and using that to navigate life’s challenges. It’s about facing challenges with grace, resilience, and decency. It requires self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the courage to take responsibility for your choices. Only when we lead ourselves effectively can we inspire and empower others to do the same. NM: What advice would you give to someone stepping into a managerial or leadership role for the first time?AO: I’d say it’s crucial not to lose your human touch. From my experience, it’s easy to lose that connection. You face so many difficult challenges, like redundancies. The first time is hard, but by the tenth time, it’s easy to become less emotionally involved in those decisions. But the best leaders I’ve seen never lose their human touch. They always see the people behind the numbers. So my advice is: be yourself, but never lose that human connection. Human touch is essential, not just in leadership but in life. NM: Speaking of guidance, can you tell me a bit about Femtorship?AO: Femtorship is a one-year mentorship program where we pair mentees with mentors. It’s designed for women aged 18 to 23. I started the program during my first maternity leave in 2019. It’s based in Sweden, though I dream of expanding it globally. However, it takes a lot of time and effort to ensure the program maintains quality. It can’t just be something superficial where a year passes and nothing happens. We have something called Femtalks, where we share interviews with various women with all the participants, like a monthly magazine. We also have FemWorks, which are seminars with companies around Sweden where mentors and mentees do activities together.The program was born out of my desire to create a space where young women can see their potential reflected at them. It’s a place where they can build strong self-esteem by challenging their self-awareness, which is the foundation of strong self-leadership. As someone who’s navigated both challenges and opportunities, I wanted to bridge the gap for others, especially those who might feel overlooked. That’s what Femtorship is all about. NM: That’s a really good initiative. Has there been a particularly memorable moment? And how long have you been running it?AO: There have been many memorable moments since I launched the program in 2019. The most memorable moments are when mentees show how their confidence has grown or achieve something they didn’t think was possible. One mentee told me she landed her dream role because of the belief and guidance she found through the program. That kind of impact is what fuels me. NM: What words of encouragement would you give to a young woman trying to create her path, especially someone from an immigrant background?AO: I would say your unique story is your strength. Don’t let anyone diminish the value of your perspective and experiences. Challenges are opportunities in disguise, each one can teach you something about yourself or others. It’s important to find your tribe, not just in Sweden but in life generally. It doesn’t have to be big, mine isn’t, but it’s about finding people who uplift and inspire you. Stay curious, be bold, and dream bigger than what seems possible. Success, for me, isn’t about fitting in, it’s about standing out for all the right reasons. NM: Now, if we switch a bit to your interest in fashion, has that been a passion since childhood, or how did it develop? I know you also created your dress for the Elle Gala.AO: Fashion and interior design are powerful ways to communicate without words. My mother is a singer and a seamstress, so creativity and craftsmanship have always been part of my life. The Elle Gala dress is one product of our mother-daughter love. I drew the vision, we sourced the fabric together here in Stockholm, and my mother sewed it. It was such a wonderful moment to share that dress with the world, knowing my mother made it for me. Creating the Elle Gala dress wasn’t about style, it was about showing how beauty can be deeply personal and celebrating craftsmanship. NM: Do you have a piece in your wardrobe that you care for more than others?AO: Yes, but it’s not something I created; it’s something I inherited. It’s a silk shirt in a radiant yellow, like sun rays, from my grandmother. It’s my favourite piece. It’s always stylish, goes with almost anything, and holds so much meaning for me. NM: When you’re getting dressed, how do you manage to express yourself?AO: I don’t have a particular style. I think my style is mashing up styles. Nothing is

An interview with Baum und Pferdgarten on their SS26 collection text by Ulrika Lindqvist  For over two decades, Baum und Pferdgarten’s Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave have mastered the art of balancing playfulness with precision. With their SS26 collection, the Danish design duo returns to their roots, not just in aesthetic, but in spirit. Inspired by the world of horse racing and presented in one of Scandinavia’s oldest stables, the runway show becomes a powerful tribute to authenticity, movement, and modern femininity. In conversation with Odalisque, Rikke and Helle share the story behind the collection, the challenge of staying true to their creative DNA, and what it means to dress the working woman with confidence and ease. Ulrika Lindqvist: Please tell us about the process in creating the ss26 runway show?  Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave: The process of creating our runway show began with a long-standing desire to explore a theme centered around horses. That idea truly took shape during a walk through the old stables just north of Copenhagen – where we would eventually hold the show. The atmosphere was instantly inspiring. Surrounded by worn leather, weathered wood, and the quiet history of the space, we knew we wanted to build a collection around the world of horse racing. UL: How did you chose the location for the runway show? RB & HH: We actually chose the location hand in hand with the theme. It felt natural to host the show at the stables that’s still active and one of the oldest in Scandinavia. Talking to the people working there with their passion projects around horseracing and seeing how welcoming they were to our idea we knew this was the right place.  UL: What does the SS26 collection represent and what was the main inspiration for this collection? RB & HH: This season, our focus shifted in a deliberate way. Instead of leaning into trends, we made a conscious effort to visually express the core values of our brand. Sporty influences, bold prints, and functional outerwear have always been fundamental to our identity, and this collection stays true to that. We also continued our love for working with a wide and expressive color palette – ensuring that everyone who wears our pieces feels like the most confident, authentic version of themselves. UL: What was the biggest challenge creating your ss26 collection? RB & HH: It always a challenge reinventing yourself and still staying true to your brand. You can easily feel theneed to follow trends that doesn’t fit your brand identity, but somehow we always manage to find back to our core values.  UL: How would you describe the Baum und Pferdgarten customer? RB & HH: We are extremely grateful to have customers who has been with us since we started back in 1999,but also a customer group who has the need to express themselves through clothes but in an expressive yet elegant way. Our customer is the working woman who doesn’t want to look boring but never overdressed.  UL: What can we expect from Baum und Pferdgarten in the future?  RB & HH: Stay tuned, bright days are ahead.