INTERVIEW #40 MONICA NORDLUND
Occupation: Stylist
“On the dinners I attended there were princesses and princes so I bought my clothes from second hand shops. That is where it all started, me on those dinner in dresses from the 30s and 40s.”
What is your background:
I am an educated biochemical analyst. And I have worked with that until I retired. On my free time I wanted to do something else, but at that time there were no platforms, digital networks or anything like that. My family didn’t have those contacts and there were not many people working with what I wanted to do (maybe Gunilla Ponten). We are talking about fifty years ago!
My father was a golf trainer and he wanted us children to become professionals. The goal for me was to join the national team, which we succeeded with. So when you’re a part of the team social events are common and you meet a lot of people.
In Europe they had completely different clothes compared to what I owned (we have in Sweden.) On the dinners I attended there were princesses and princes so I bought my clothes from second hand shops. That is where it all started, me on those dinner in dresses from the 30s and 40s.
I also started to sew my own clothes. I learned from my mother who did all our clothes.
The golf was my introduction to the world and where I started to enjoy clothing. I had children late in my life, somewhere in my 40s and I decided later on I wanted to do something about my interest in clothes.
I went to the school of sewing; Tillskärarakademin. Quite boring I would say but useful. During that time I saw Lena Endre (Swedish actress) on Television when she received the price Guldbaggen (an award in Sweden from the film industry), and I contacted her. Now that is almost 25 years ago, but her biggest interest were old clothing. We started to collaborate and that opened up many doors. To this day we still collaborate. And often had discussions about fashion.
She encouraged me to continue and fortunately enough for me I had a manager at my work that understood my situation. But it wasn’t until I retired I started to work full time with clothes, I started my company four years before I retired so I should be prepared.
My husband very is supporting. When the children was small I focused on them for 10 years since he needed to travel a lot with his work. Today he doesn’t travel like that anymore, the children are grown up, he takes care of the household and I can focus on my passion.
It has been a lot of fun with amazing dinners, theatres and so on. Everything thanks to those passion for old clothes. But I have decided to focus on one person, to have that one piece of art. So when Sissela Kyle asked me to design clothes for her show I was happy to do so. I don’t do costumes for big movie productions or anything like that.
“My clothes are very neutral. You can’t really tell what class I’m from by looking at me and I prefer to have it that way. A lot of people have asked me during the years, who are you? You can’t tell by the way I dress!”
What’s your relationship with clothes?
My relationship is joyful. I would say my interest brings joy, imagination and it’s a way to express myself. I don’t wear clothes with logos where you can easily identify the brand. It’s not very personal. My clothes are very neutral. You can’t really tell what class I’m from by looking at me and I prefer to have it that way. A lot of people have asked me during the years, who are you? You can’t tell by the way I dress!
How would you describe your style?
My style is not to belong to any group. It is classic and toned down. It’s my personality that should be in focus. But I’m inspired by the 30s because of how those clothes is flattering to the body. Black is boring, but that’s mostly the colour I use. I’ve been to a few Guldbaggen ceremonies and I have never worn anything that makes me stand out. I don’t want to stand out. And my style haven’t changed in 50 years.
“But I’m inspired by the 30s because of how those clothes is flattering to the body.”
How would you describe your closet?
It is black with a few red items. Organised and not so big. I only have clothes I use. Some long pants and tops that are loose fitting. Loose tops over leather pants is what I found most fitting. But I have my storage of clothing if I need anything in particular.
“For me it’s a closet that doesn’t change shape, where the material lasts and where you can mend and remake your clothes after season and so on. That is the most sustainable closet.”
What is a sustainable closet for you?
For me it’s a closet that doesn’t change shape, where the material lasts and where you can mend and remake your clothes after season and so on. That is the most sustainable closet. It’s so irritating with materials that don’t keep their quality. It’s so sad we accept the poor quality and uses brushes to remove it instead of creating better materials in the first place. A top from the 50s would never do that.
What do you think about the fashion industry?
I think it’s too rectified and that the trends are changing to fast. You come up with new clothes several times per season and this is encouraging consumers to buy new all the time. And the fashion is also a lot about fitting into a group and it makes the fashion industry very exclusive. The volumes are also too big and that it create jobs are no excuse.
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
Contact a person that can help you identify your style. Just like some people have someone who helps them with their car. It’s good to identify your standard and expression.
Find your basic items and let those items guide you when creating your style. Good basics can be varied in endless formats. Just by changing shoes you can change your whole style.
Always add a vintage item, that can really change the whole outfit. Like a top from the 50s. Invest in those vintage items!
Use your gut-feeling and dear to be different.
Learn more about clothing and vintage! To know the story of an item makes us really appreciate and look after it.
“To know the story of an item makes us really appreciate and look after it.”
