INTERVIEW #54 KARIN TÖRNBLOM
Based in: Stockholm, Sweden
Occupation: Artist
Get inspired: On her Instagram: Konstgarderoben
Why we love her: For her amazing, unique, colourful style and view on clothes as a piece of art
“I don’t just wear one garment and then I’m finished, I combine a lot of different dresses, tops and so on. It is an eclectic mix, I work a lot with layering, and it’s all about how I combine everything together. ”
Who are you and what are you doing during the day?
I’m mostly painting in my basement and drinking wine here in my neighborhood. If you wonder, my art is sold on Instagram when there’s a demand.
What’s your relationship with clothes and what is your style?
I’ve always been interested in clothing, mostly vintage clothing. Now in my 40s I think I have widened my style a bit over the years. I’m a big fan of history and costume, but I don’t want to dress according to a specific time period completely, instead I try to mix modern clothes with historical elements. I’m never 100% dressed in a retro style but like to wear for example old vintage hats mixed with more contemporary street style, chunky sneakers and so on.
My style is a combination of different styles. I believe that when you get older it is easier to put your style together since you’ve been having more time to define it. You get more secure about yourself and how you want to look, being able to mix with more confidence. My style is rather defined I think, my friends can easily identify it. They often send me a picture and tell me “this so you”, they are seldom wrong.
What is your favorite historical century or decade?
I’m mostly inspired by the 16th century to the 19 century. It is wide but I love all of it. Maybe the late 18th century is one of my favorites though.
Any favourite item of clothing?
My perfect look is to combine different patterns and colours together. To be playful and colorful is important to me. I don’t just wear one garment and then I'm finished, I combine a lot of different dresses, tops and so on. It is an eclectic mix, I work a lot with layering, and it’s all about how I combine everything together. However, I don’t have anything completely black in my wardrobe, that’s for sure.
“My closet has been built up during the last 20 years.”
How would you describe your closet?
It's like controlled chaos. I know where everything is. It is sorted according to colors and items. When people come to me they say I have a really good order. But still it's still full of clothes everywhere. I have clothes from the floor to the roof in my apartment. I sometimes have to climb in order to get to my clothes!
How many clothes do you have?
A lot of! People say that I have a shop in the basement. My basement is also packed with clothes. Definitely more than 300 items.
How long has it taken for you to build your closet?
I have kept garments and items I bought as a teen. My closet has been built up during the last 20 years. I also have clothes on the walls for art, instead of other decorations. For me clothes are also about what I enjoy and not only what I wear. For example, I went to an Acne store where a skirt was too small for me but I bought it to have it on the wall instead. I have it as a painting on the wall. Clothes is art for me.
Do you ever clean out and sell your clothes?
Sometimes I might sell something, if I realise it is too basic for me. But most of the time I keep my clothes for a very long time.
What is a sustainable closet for you?
I still buy H&M but I do it less. I do have some of these fast fashion items but in that case it is carefully selected and I have had them for many years. Most of my clothes are vintage and selected brands. When I was young I used to buy clothes because of just consuming it, but now it’s about finding something I really like. I can get very happy about finding vintage items! I had an experience like that in Paris where I found a Moschino item from the 80s. When I saw it I just runned for it. I had been dreamed about that garment for three years and the happiness of getting it was unreal.
What do you think about the fashion industry?
I was actually in the fashion industry for ten years or so. Today when I’m in my 40s I find fashion industry rather uninteresting. It’s all about who you know and so on. The funny thing about fashion industries and fashion shows are the ones standing outside. They are the interesting people. Fashion is more about expression, It’s about culture. Trends are not interesting to me. People used to ask me about trends when I worked in fashion stores, if it would be trendy, if it’s cool or if they look old or not. People are so insecure and the industry is built on insecurity. It’s a fake world. I can still read a fashion magazine, but to see people on the streets are is even more interesting. Fashion trends don't exist until someone tells you what to wear. If you like it, have it. We can take fashion back if we want.
“Fashion trends don’t exist until someone tells you what to wear.”
What can one do that seeks to create a style more true to themselves?
Do not see fashion as only clothes. See fashion as something wider. Something you want to use to express yourself. Don’t look at trends. See it as language. It is art.
