• Ann-Sofie Back is Back (with a Retrospective)

    Written by Natalia Muntean

    “I needed to make some sort of summary of my work in order to say goodbye and live again,” Ann-Sofie Back says, looking back at her career. Considered one of Sweden’s most influential fashion designers, Ann-Sofie Back is reflecting on her journey in Go As You Please – Ann-Sofie Back, a new exhibition at Stockholm’s Liljevalchs+ Museum, covering her work from 1998 to 2018. “Nicole Walker, my co-curator, and I have intentionally designed the exhibition to be as incohesive as possible,” Back explains. “We needed to make it exciting for us to put the exhibition together and a straight-up retrospective would have bored me to work on.”

    Accompanying the exhibition is a comprehensive monograph of the same name, which includes a wealth of visuals showcasing Back’s collections, runway presentations, lookbooks, styling projects, exhibitions, and media coverage. It also features interviews, articles, and writings by Back herself. “The book represents the linear development of my esthetic,” says the designer, “and the exhibition is more of a spontaneous interpretation.”

    The book, an extensive overview of Ann-Sofie Back’s vast archive, includes re-published texts by Lauren Cochrane, Anders Edström, Francesca Granata, Ulrich Lehmann, Maria Ben Saad and Mathilda Tham as well as images by photographers such as Richard Prince, Johnny Dufort, Anders Edström, Nick Knight, David Sims, Juergen Teller and Harley Weir. “I chose these writers because they often revealed perspectives on my work that I hadn’t considered,” says Back. Reflecting on the 1999 shoot with Juergen Teller, she recalls, “I expected things like that to happen back then, but now, looking back, I’m almost embarrassed by my younger self.”

    The sketches and creative processes behind her pieces are what she is most excited for readers to discover in the monograph, but she regrets not including her portfolio from St. Martin’s, where she graduated in 1998. “It was so good!

    I just found it in a box in my storage,” she adds. “It would have also been fun to include all the absurd incidents from that time and the fun we had.”

    Over the years, her collections have challenged conventions of femininity, beauty, and glamour. Reflecting on her evolution, Back says she’s come full circle: “I’m back where I started—in 1998.”

    And her advice for young designers hoping to make an impact? “I don’t give advice,” she says straightforwardly.

    Whether Back will return to fashion remains open-ended. “I don’t know. Anders Edström and I did a shoot for the exhibition, revisiting my old designs with non-models in the suburb where I grew up. We agreed it would be our last shoot—but then I saw the Sugababes are touring again, so who knows?” For now, Back is designing interior objects under the name Gnilmyd Kcab.

    The monograph will be launched on November 7 at Liljevalchs, and the exhibition will be available from November 8, 2024, to February 23, 2025.

    Photo credit: @annsofie_back_archive and courtesy of Liljevalchs Museum

  • photography Jessica Chea
    producer James Tate Wilson

    fashion Kali Amour

    makeup Mia Moceri

    hair Endacha Brooks

    set designer Dina Chipiga

    models Carlo Sciortino, Katiane Reeves, Kali Amour,

    Maya Peterson, Chloe Parra Stovellyy and Arya Hanumara

    fashion assistant Sade Brand

    production assistant Liz Millet

    all clothing SBYRENTALS and Stylist's Own

    Letter From a Fellow Gen Z Voter

    Written by Jessica Chea by Sandra Myhrberg

    I remember casting my first ballot in 2020—fresh into college amidst the swirling storm of the pandemic. It felt monumental, a true rite of passage into adulthood. Now at 24, I’m excited to participate in my second election. But this election season… It feels different.

    Ever since Biden endorsed Harris to succeed him and Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, this election has transformed into more than just a political battleground; it's become a cultural moment. My generation, raised on TikToks about social justice and memes dissecting policy debates, is stepping into the political arena to join this intense close fight. With Gen Z making up about 20% of the U.S. population and 30% of all eligible voters, we’re finally realizing that yes, our voices matter. And it shows, not just at the polls, but on the streets. Everywhere you look, our culture of speaking up has influenced changes big and small.

    Political figures are adapting to this shifting media landscape, directly through the digital platforms in our hands. Podcasts and alternative media have become crucial for engaging younger audiences. Kamala Harris on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper and Donald Trump on Joe Rogan? We’ve never seen anything like it.

    It’s thrilling to watch people who once only cared about sneaker drops and Spotify Wrapped (still very important) now debating which candidate offers a better path forward over $7 iced matcha lattes (thank you, inflation). For a generation raised in uncertainty, from economic crashes to climate disasters, apathy isn’t an option anymore. We’ve grown up hearing that the future depends on us, and now it’s our turn to shape it. So, whether it's a vote for policy change or a vote against complacency, it’s personal. So this election, in true fashion, we’re showing up and showing out at the polls.

    - From a fellow Gen Z voter

  • SKIMS Expands to Sweden with Exclusive Launch at NK Stockholm and Gothenburg

    Written by Jahwanna Berglund

    Stockholm, 24 October — The fast-growing global brand SKIMS, founded by Kim Kardashian and Sweden-born Jens Grede, is making its entry into Sweden. SKIMS will open its first two stores at Nordiska Kompaniet in Stockholm and Gothenburg, marking the brand's initial physical presence in Sweden and a significant step in its international expansion.


    Since its launch in 2019, SKIMS has revolutionised the fashion industry with its “solution wear,” which includes underwear, shapewear, and loungewear designed for all body types. The brand offers sizes ranging from XXS to 5XL in up to 15 different shades. SKIMS products combine comfort and performance with innovative materials, featuring everything from seamless bras and weightless underwear to shapewear that adapts to the body. On 24 October, SKIMS will introduce its best-selling products at Nordiska Kompaniet, including popular collections such as Fits Everybody, Seamless Sculpt, Cotton Rib, and Cotton Jersey.


    ”The Swedish market is a natural next step for us. Swedish consumers are discerning and demand high quality, which aligns perfectly with our values. NK has long been a strong platform for international brands to reach the Swedish audience, and we are excited to offer our range here and see great potential for further growth across the Nordic region,” said Jens Grede, Co-Founder and CEO of SKIMS in a press release.


    SKIMS has quickly established itself as a leading global brand and was ranked as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential Companies in both 2022 and 2023. The brand has collaborated with other successful names such as NBA, Swarovski, and Fendi.


    ”When we started SKIMS, it was important for me to create products that empower people to feel their best, offering a wide range of sizes and shades that deliver both comfort and confidence. Bringing SKIMS to Sweden is a special moment for us, and I look forward to our Swedish customers experiencing what SKIMS is all about,” said Kim Kardashian, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of SKIMS.


    From 24 October, SKIMS will be available at Nordiska Kompaniet in Stockholm (Level 1) and Gothenburg (Lingerie, Level 2), initially offering women's collections.

    ”We are incredibly proud to be the first in the Nordics to introduce an international and exclusive brand like SKIMS at NK Stockholm and Gothenburg, as well as online. That prominent brands choose NK for their entry into the Swedish market is a testament to us being a world-class department store. With this launch, we further strengthen our position as a key destination for fashion and lifestyle, where you can always find the very best selection. The addition of SKIMS enhances our offering even further,” said Henrik Lilja, Acting CEO of Nordiska Kompaniet.

    www.nk.se

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