• images courtesy of Nootka

    An Interview with Lisa Olsson, Founder of NOOTKA

    Written by Decirée Josefsson by Sandra Myhrberg

    Outside the tunnel vision of blinding city lights.

    “The constant development and excitement to be bold and confident is a statement of Nootka”

    Nootka is a Swedish based jewelry brand with an inspiring design that manifests the shining raw beauty of nature. With high enthusiasm in sustainability, humble resistance in relation to the fast fashion market which is experiencing strong growth, they are a leading light for generations to come. To reduce their environmental impact all of their items are handcrafted in Stockholm, using recycled 925 silver. Moreover, they are breaking the traditional ways of designing by not producing collections based upon seasons. Proving that their jewelry is timeless and can be worn over again. Longevity is the sentiment behind every unique piece which ensures long lasting memories to be created together with Nootka.

    What’s captivating about jewelry from your point of view?
    Unaffected by era there's an ageless beauty with an intricate personal value. Recurrently connected to a deeper association as an extended arm and version of self. Compared to a garment of clothing that easily is exchanged throughout seasons. Statement pieces seem to be lasting and worn more stable throughout time, instead of an asset for replacement.

    In what ways is Nootka working to be sustainable?
    To avoid duplicating structures we do not produce new items every fourth season. However, that does not by definition mean that a company has to keep up the tempo to be relevant. Because of what our customers have demanded I’ve for example chosen to restock the chunky ring into the latest collection. Showing that fashion doesn't need to develop in symbioses with speed to be relevant.

    How do you wear your jewelry?
    I wear them as if it was a piece of me rather than an object and it gives me confidence. Heels for example can redefine the overall impression of one's appearance and frame of mind. For me, it’s the tiniest detail of silver that completes the whole look and sets the mood for the day.

    To pursue a dream takes courage and patience, could you guide us through the different stages of creating Nootka?
    I have always felt the need to be creative for my soul to fully experience happiness. In my early years, I did a lot of needlework and it felt almost like an individual right to do such. When the idea of Nootka first came across, it started out with a millions of questions to answer to fully understand the whole process. How do I craft jewelry? Moreover, run a business and create a brand out of it? While scouting and browsing ideas, later on I felt that I gained enough knowledge to dare to try. To never know exactly what the outcome might turn out to be,
    makes it even more interesting to always keep on going. If I would've known before, how many fires needed to be extinguished along the way, I might not have taken as many risks along the way, ending up at this stage of the journey where I am today. I’m grateful that I believed in myself and always kept on going.

    Where do you find inspiration?
    As for others, it’s easy to get stuck with tunnel vision in the blinding city lights of our society. I, therefore, turn to nature to remind myself to look up from the mass and stay present in that exact moment. Nootka-Sound is a beautiful postcard-like district in Canada and has been a great baseline for both the name and the design of the brand. Rather than a specific object, the energy of nature is more what’s behind the inspiration for my artwork. The details in structure rather than material.


    Do you have a place where you go to re-boost your energy?
    I’m originally from Malmö and my parents have a cabin in the countryside close to Skåne. Even if I don’t visit often enough, that place, which I call home, deeply calms my soul in stressful and hectic periods of life. Sometimes I hardly notice when working. During those times I often turn to this place to reset my energy and stay present for that time being.

    Would you consider yourself free in your creativity?
    I feel young in this project, constantly trying to not be too concerned about the future. Instead, take care of the light-hearted playfulness occurring in those moments of creating. The constant development and excitement to be bold and confident is a statement of Nootka, which I hope won’t get lost along the way. As I mentioned before one never knows exactly how the outcome might turn out to be, which makes it even more interesting to always keep on going.

  • photography Joseph Cultice 
    fashion Cristina Acevedo 

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    total look Sea New York

    An Interview with Ashe

    Written by Filippa Gustafsson by Sandra Myhrberg

    The ‘Moral of the Story’ singer, Ashe, is turning the page to another chapter of her story to mark the beginning of a new era. This fall, our anticipation will reach its peak as she releases her second album “Rae” via Mom + Pop Music, with early singles “Another Man’s Jeans,” “Hope You’re Not Happy” and “Angry Woman” at the front line. But before the ongoing Is It Me Or Is It Hot Tour, the rising star says that she has had time to shoot two music videos in the break home, visited with her mother for some understandably extremely needed rest and went to Nashville to hang with friends before the tour started. I got the chance to interview the singer and lyricist who is still, like the rest of us, figuring out how to balance work with life, and she tells me she’s learning when to rest and when to just be a person outside of tour.

    What has your writing process looked like for your upcoming album “Rae” in comparison to your last album “Ashlyn”?
    “A good portion of the album was written at a cabin in the woods in Big Bear which I think helped us get out of our normal process. This album was written at a time that I’ve never been more confident or felt sexier, so the writing is far more fun and ambitious, I would say. We just had fun with it, whereas I think I was a bit more ~serious~ writing ‘Ashlyn.’”

    Has creativity always been your biggest motivator? Has it taken form in other areas than writing and music?
    “I find creativity in gardening as well. I’m an earth sign and getting my hands in some dirt is my happy place. I also love to paint and find some solace in journal writing which expands my creativity as well.”

    In what ways would you say your experiences/background has formed your songwriting and music? Could you imagine a scenario where your music would have a totally different sound?
    “I used to be incredibly into Jazz, especially when I went to Berklee. Ella Fitzgerald, old school, warm charming Jazz and then John Coltrane, moody, more heady Jazz and I think there was a time I thought I was going to make a marriage of that kind of music. I think Carole King and Brian Wilson’s influence on my writing is how I got here, where I’m at making music now.”

    On your last album, you had quite big names featured, such as FINNEAS and Niall Horan. Could you perhaps reveal/offer us some insight into some of your eventual upcoming features? And how would you say your writing process changes when you have to balance your thoughts and ideas with someone else’s?
    “I’m so lucky to have worked with people I love so much!! There may be a featuring artist on my album and I can say, it will break your heart in two. My idol doesn’t even begin to cut it. I’m living in a constant state of ‘pinch me.’”

    You have released a lot of songs these past few years, what’s your strategy when you reach a writing-slump? What’s your go to source of inspiration, and has it always come from the same place or has that varied?
    “I’ve gotten to the point where I just don’t force it if I’m not feeling inspired. Inspiration has to come naturally I feel. I’ll know it’s time to write when I start feeling that itch again and I’m feeling it hard right now.” The video for ‘Angry Woman’ was released recently, to what degree are you involved in the creation of your music videos? Is it important for you that the video itself conveys the same kind of storytelling that your lyrics does? “I come up with the concepts for all of my music videos. I think it’s such an extension of our art, it’s important as the artist to have a deep, unwavering hand in that. I knew I wanted to really pay tribute to Yoko Ono’s cut piece and make my own statement of the way the world views the female body. Hits now more than ever.”

    Your lyrics are vulnerable and poetic, but also radiates a level of confidence. How would you say you have evolved as a person since your breakthrough?
    “I just question myself less. I think I’ve gotten to a point where I’ve come to believe that the music I need to write is exactly what my audience needs to hear. At least, I hope so.” In drawing things to a close I questioned Ashe about some of her go-to songs. A song she plays that always makes her cry, always brings a smile to her face and always makes her want to dance.
    “Always makes me cry: Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
    Always brings a smile to my face: Chocolate - 1975
    Always makes me want to dance: Halfway Up - The Brook & The Bluff”

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    trousers Sea New York

    total look Sea New York

  • Hospitalet Stockholm

    Written by Qim Claesson by Qim Claesson

    Initiated by Sweden’s King Gustav Vasa during the 1500s, who saw a need to construct a place to hide the outcasts of society. Create a storehouse for lunatics and the insane, or perhaps a final home to a few old people lucky enough to afford it. This was the beginning of the asylum later called Danvikens Hospital, but it took almost 200 years, all the way up until the early 1700s before the structure that we still see toady was finished and ready to house patients. One can only imagine what took place behind the walls of this asylum. We all know the methods used to treat mental health way back when wasn’t always of the most humane sort.

    It’s safe to say that Danvikens Hospital has gone through a huge transformation during the years.
    Most notably from a dilapidated and deteriorating shell of its former glory (after being left empty for the most part of recent years) up until 2020 when Gullringsbo Fastigheter acquired the property with a mission to save the landmark and transform it into a haven for all and every art enthusiasts there is.

    The mission was tasked upon two fervent art lovers: Erika Hellman, art collector and curator of Gullringsbo Konstsamling and the multifaceted Gallerist Carl Kostyál, known for his long and successful career in the art world. Together they have created a space that today houses some of our times most brilliant and interesting artists and their art. A space for the public to enjoy what the earlier patients during the asylum’s heydays only could dream of. A space they today call Hospitalet Stockholm.

    Currently on display until the 17 of July is a parallell exhibition featuring two very unique artists. Marcus Brutus - ”AT THE RENDEZ-VOUS OF VICTORY” and David Risley - ”THE WATER OR THE WAVE?”

    To get to Hospitalet Stockholm which is located right by the water at Danviken you can either take a short trip by boat from Nybrokajen (which will drop you off practically right outside the main entrance) or by bus or Saltsjöbanan from Slussen.

    Hospitalet Stockholm is open Thursdays and Fridays 12:00-18:00 and Saturdays and Sundays 12:00-16:00

    Upcoming exhibitions:

    23 August - Felix Treadwell & Rugiyatou Jallow
    22 September - Alex Israel
    14 October - Gina Beavers & Hilde Retzlaff 
    17 November - Ana Benaroya & Sam Jablon

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