SCANDI- STYLED SUSTAINABILITY

INSPIRED BY A TRAIN JOURNEY THROUGH NORTHERN SWEDEN, GUDRUN SJÖDÉN’S LATEST COLLECTION IS A DELIGHT FOR THE SENSES

For many of us, a scenic train journey is often the chance to relax and switch off, but for the design team at Swedish clothing brand Gudrun Sjödén, the stretch of railway running through the north of Sweden has inspired its Christmas collection, featuring warm reds, yellows, petrol blue and deepest aubergine.

The route provided a rich bounty of inspiration, from regional costumes crafted in joyful colours, found in Mora – the journey’s starting point – to the faintest of pinks found on a church wall in Arjeplog. A true treat for the eyes, this season’s motifs include rambling flowers, birds and fruit, all with names that hint back to their origins. There was even a touch of sentimentality at the train’s final destination, Gällivare, where Gudrun’s aunt Lillie used to send her Christmas gifts from.

Included in the collection is the Siljan coat with its high-wrap collar, fitted waist and box pleats, all creating a stunning silhouette. Also part of the line-up is Gudrun’s ‘good deed’ design, whereby a percentage of sales are donated towards a chosen cause.

This year, that piece is the Kranskulla cardigan, produced from recycled, organic cotton and featuring a folky design with flowers and soft, lush foliage. For every Kranskulla cardigan bought, £5 will be donated to the Nordic Museum in Stockholm, which is dedicated to the preservation and showcasing of the Nordic cultural heritage and handicrafts.

AN ECO- FRIENDLY EYE

As well as beauty, sustainability is key to Gudrun Sjödén’s designs, with much of the collection centred around wool, which can breathe, absorb moisture without feeling wet and can help to regulate the body’s heat. It’s also renewable, biodegradable, recyclable and can be produced organically.

To add an extra level of luxury, this year’s mittens, shawls and leg warmers are made from alpaca and recycled wool, all in a rich palette of moss greens, tomato reds and grey and embroidered with traditional Swedish folklore motifs – ideal to keep warm and stay strikingly stylish on those dark winter nights.