Oslo "Fashion" Week

Today the seasonal design-circus kicks off here in Norway. Oslo Fashion Week SS 2011 is on the move! Normally I would be thrilled; have invitations ready, posts and drafts semi-scheduled, as well as outfit planned throughout the week. This time it is very different. I'm kind of ambivalent, actually. Sad, maybe. Provoked, yes.

Throughout the last couple of years I have been very lucky as I've been able to attend Oslo Fashion Week, and I've come to both love and admire this little tradition a great deal. Norway has never really been able to reach out through design before, and I saw this as the beginning of some much needed international appreciation for our underestimated designers. That said, the three different arenas in which Norwegian design has been displayed; OFW, OfF and Moteuka have indeed made some progress, and though they are nowhere near the same league as Copenhagen Fashion Week and Fashion Week by Berns in Stockholm - they are well on their way. Or, in my opinion - were on their way.

As the program for this seasons runway-shows was released last week, I was nothing less than disappointed! I began to wonder what the criteria was when selecting designers for this event? Should one not have some kind of skills; sketching set aside? Should one not be able to handle the art of sewing and make the designs oneself? Is it OK as long as you've got money? Discussions, rumors and childish wordplay spread across the Internet like an epidemic, which I admit I took part in.

I'm all for fresh design and newcomers, natural talent and uneducated creativity - but when people who are famous for being famous are allowed to steal a very attractive spot alongside established and talented designers such as Fam Irvoll, Morami, Vatle and the wonderful newcomer behind Kristar Design - I'm honestly embarrassed! Is this merely OFWs way to get attention; both from the media and bloggers? Is the whole idea to provoke? Did they even take a look at the designers in question?

On the official webpage of Oslo Fashion Week, it clearly says:
"It [OFW] was launched to promote Norwegian fashion design, and to set Norwegian design in an international context. OFW is the main showcase promoting Norwegian designers and their collections."

Then the question would be: is Pia Haraldsen a Norwegian designer? If you don't know her, and you probably don't if you're not Norwegian - she graudated from Goldsmiths College, University of London where she attended media and communications. Pia have written a book about shopping, been a judge on Norwegian Shopaholic and attended the Norwegian version of Dancing with the stars. Her mother was aslo married to the queens nephew for a short period during the 90s and early 00s.
You can see some of her designs here ! I can honestly say that the girl does not have what it takes to earn the title of a Norwegian designer! The first thing that comes to mind aren't very ladylike thoughts, so I'll keep them to myself.

If the criteria is that you live in Norway and can make a sketch: then I'm signing up for Oslo Fashion Week A/W 2011.

This said, I am looking forward to Oslo Fashion Week and some of this years designers. I'm also looking forward to meeting some of my fellow bloggers - and I hope to see you there!

This is a somewhat unusual post for me, but as I am frustrated, I decided to share my opinion on the matter. I'm normally quite careful not to speak my mind and I generally try not to provoke in any way, but this time the matter lies very close to my heart: fair play. Pictures of Pia Haraldsen via nrk.no, minmote.no, kk.no and side2.no

16 comments:

  1. Probably see u there!

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  2. Anonymous5:03 PM

    I understand what you mean and I acknowledge that this is quite painful when you see designs by people who have worked all their lives to achieve perfection in every single aspect, and by famous socialites being displayed on the same runway. Nothing against socialites, some of them might even be talented, but cast majority of them are not and having a clothing line named after them is almost like having another notch on their bed post.

    Maybe someday it will change. I do not know. But as you said there are real designers out there, whose work alone makes it worth it to got to the fashion week. :)

    Love from Toronto

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  3. She draws like a child... it's ridiculous!

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  4. And the best part is; russedress is also coming to runway?! RUSSEDRESS?! Ah, next year it's one piece and uggs, I swear to God.

    So, which one's are you seeing? Last time I tried to talk to you about OFW you seemed like you were not going at all. :o

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  5. Believe me! I completely understand you, because here, in Santiago fashion week, that happens every single year.
    The real designers, the ones who are good, don't show at the SFW, because the people behind this doesn't know anything about fashion, and the ones who are in the runway, are so untalented. But is a long history, related with our society too.

    Enjoy OFW, the things that really deserve been enjoyed at least :)

    Kisses!

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  6. En ting er hvertfall sikkert. Jeg skal IKKE på Pia Haraldsen sin visning! Nei, designene er jo ikke bare kjedelige, men direkte stygge. Men jeg gleder meg til OFW :D

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  7. Jeg vet, helt sykt. Jeg tegnet bedre når jeg gikk på barneskolen. Dama vet null om hvordan klær er oppbygget. Tragisk. En visning jeg i hvert fall ikke skal gå på.

    Men kanskje vi sees på noen andre show?;)

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  8. linda-mari:
    Probably ^^, I'm shy, though, but I'd love to meet you :)

    Trishna:
    Thank you for sharing! I have nothing against socialites either, I just think this one in particular is doing it all wrong. If she designed the clothes herself and maybe had some kind of background in designs, then it would be a whole other story. She's even modeling for the clothes herself, and I find that rather ridiculous!

    Insomnia:
    I couldn't agree more. It's sad.

    metallicatrollet:
    I can't even begin to discuss that, I'm out of words.

    I will be going to some shows, yes ^^, Published a little list today, which gives kind of an idea of what I'm thinking about :)

    Melissa:
    Stupid money-people :p But, OK, that's just the way it is. And I really hope it will change some day. Soon!

    Inger:
    Signerer den, jeg ;)

    Hek:
    Jeg er faktisk ganske fri for ord, sånn bortsett fra alle de stygge. Tragisk er dog en passende beskrivelse!

    Jeg gleder meg til Kristar Design, Venti Uno og Fam Irvoll, for å nevne noen, så det er slettes ikke umulig at vi sees ^^,

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  9. Pia Haraldsen.. Ja.. I lol'd. Får håpe Februar kan imponere litt mer. Kristar er min favoritt i år må jeg si.

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  10. Uff ja. Man skulle tro Pia Haraldsen i det minste kunne prestere litt bedre enn dette. Men kolleksjonen er stygg, rett og slett. Det får meg til å lure på hvordan i all verden hun klarte å få kontrakt med Agape da hun påstår at skissene var laget før signering. HMM.

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  11. Uff ja. Man skulle tro Pia Haraldsen i det minste kunne prestere litt bedre enn dette. Men kolleksjonen er stygg, rett og slett. Det får meg til å lure på hvordan i all verden hun klarte å få kontrakt med Agape da hun påstår at skissene var laget før signering. HMM.

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  12. Pia Haraldsen og Russeservice, når man tror norsk seriøs design endelig skal komme litt frem så får man alt dette pisset blandet opp i steder det ikke har noe med å være. Forferdelig synd :(

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  13. This is the week that we have been waiting for. I can't wait to see gorgeous and stunning designs in that event. I am sure I will going to have a great time in that event.

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  14. Wow, good to see I'm not alone. I couldn't agree more. Love your blog!

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  15. Pia Haraldsen's fashion show was quite an embarrassement! It looked trashy and cheap, and did not even reflect her own style (does she have one?!)

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  16. Anonymous2:05 PM

    OMG. what is this about?? Back to kindergarden my dear!Who's with?? I'm actually astonished:( of how many people are naming themselves designers and you will serve the needle on their,, golden plate,, they wouldn't even know how to use it..jo... just let the good ones show what Norway is made out of!Keep on doing what you're good at, cause you know not all of us are multitask in life;) No offense!

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