Material Rules
You know I like my clothes exaggerated and oversized where possible. If there is a opportunity to go large, I will take it every time. I like the feeling of arms being swamped by big sleeves, or legs feeling Bambi-like as they're swathed in extra-wide trousers.
Many people will find the exaggerated silhouette unflattering, however I believe that when worn with convictions anything can be flattering, even the biggest sleeves.
When I discovered knitwear designer Matilda Norberg, I was struck by her dedication to exploring challenging, experimental shapes and textures.
The Royal College of London student is currently in her second year and I think it's clear she's destined for great things.
Matilda left her hometown of Skellefteå ten years ago to pursue her love of handicraft, knitwear and textiles. She left school and worked as a stylist but decided to enter back into study to ensure she received a more solid foundation for her work. She applied to Handarbetets Vänners Skola but disliked the very traditional methods they taught her there, which she felt left her unable to experiment in the way she really wanted to.
She went on to gain a place on the bachelor’s program at Konstfack, and is now starting her second year at Royal Collage of Art in London, on route to getting her master’s degree.
Already an award winner - she has won a stipend from Svensk Form’s and the Italian competition, Feel the Yarn - Matilda is on an impressive trajectory.
She describes her graduate collection, Earth's Crust/Material Rules;
“The crust of the earth, with its movements and tensions, its materials and the relationships between them, has been the basis of my design development work.
The solid crust riding on a molten interior, the layering of sediments and rocks, flowing and expanding lava – has all translated in to stitches, knits, finishing techniques, shapes and silhouettes within my sketch book.”
Manipulating weaves and embroidery, making them behave in ways they probably aren't meant to is what elevates her work from fashion to art, or certainly at the very least straddle both simultaneously.
