Interview

Designer, Ewa Larsson is in the limelight with the most luxurious and feminine collection for Lindex this Christmas, Affordable Luxury. Included here are sophisticated underwear, exclusive loungewear and spectacular jewellery. In our interview, Ewa Larsson tells us about her fashion inspiration and passion for underwear.

How does Affordable Luxury Loungewear differ from your previous Lindex collections? This collection is more soothing than previous ones. The design is relaxing and the loungewear garments are comfortable and elegant at the same time. They are everyday garments as well as party garments. Affordable Luxury Loungewear is useable luxury that you can wear on a cosy evening at home as well as to a Christmas or New Year's Eve party. The urban influences that often characterize my designs are present and although this collection is very sophisticated it also has attitude in the form of a rock´n´roll twist. What is Affordable Luxury to you? Quality. You get design and fine production at a reasonable price. The materials and craftsmanship are more luxurious. What are your sources of inspiration? The 1700's are a recurring theme in the Christmas Affordable Luxury. This was a century characterized by economic and cultural prosperity. Many of the influences come from the Far East. The East India Company has been an immense source of inspiration. It contributed to Sweden's becoming part of the big world and that is reflected in my urban collection. Japan is another recurring influence. Tell us about the luxuriousness of your distinct colour pallet? The colours are sophisticated and harmonious, from the deepest midnight black to opal. Opal is a calm colour that is very dear to me, and one that I've wanted to use in a collection for a long time. The elegant grey shade doesn't work on cotton but needs a glossy surface to do it justice. The idea with the collection is to be able to match the garments with one another. The opal coloured kimono becomes stunning together with the midnight black pants. What is the secret behind your kimono garments? The inspiration comes from Japan. The Japanese kimono is idiomatically purer than the Chinese. Both models are loose fit and suit essentially all women. The elegant fall and cutting out is probably the biggest design secret. The construction of the pattern has been a big challenge in this case. I have had Xxxx Xxxx as cutter. She works a great deal with theatre costumes and comes in frequently and looks at things with fresh eyes. The kimono garments are two of my personal favourites. A timeless garment you can wear with a pair of comfortable pants or as a dress with a pair of tights. This kimono is made from a totally rectangular piece of fabric. The pattern construction is advanced with folds and drapings. Where did you find the inspiration for the motif and the embroidery? I got the influences from traditional Japanese embroideries. Their idioms are simpler and stylistically purer than that of the Chinese. The inspiration has been drawn from nature, which often characterized the European embroideries of the 1700's. I've been hunting high and low for a suitable motif. I finally found a book on Victorian Albert with this motif.

Talk about your passion for underwear? Designing underwear is exciting. The garments are often complicated because achieving a good and comfortable fit requires precision into the last detail. The material is another challenge. In the collection, Affordable Luxury, it has entailed finding material that is both luxurious and comfortable to wear. If there's something in life to indulge in, it's wonderful underwear. The feeling of wearing a well-made garment is unbeatable. With the right underwear you can show off your femininity and feel comfortable at the same time. I hope that women will get inspired by Affordable Luxury and that they will dare to try it. It's a special feeling to be well dressed from the inside and out and that should be a natural thing for everyone. And about your passion for design and feminine fashion? Becoming a designer has always been a natural choice for me. I was playing with spools of thread and bits of fabric as early as four years old. I was also fascinated by my mother's sewing machine. I've always been interested in tailoring and a good fit and that has greatly benefitted my design work. Especially when I worked with swimwear collections for Espirit and now again in my work with the Lindex underwear collection, Affordable Luxury. How would you describe your underwear collection? The underwear in the Affordable Luxury collection is elegant and sensual with a feminine edge. The colours are prominent and sophisticated. It's an extensive collection consisting of Xx models. I want women to be able to choose underwear based on needs and humour and that is why the collection is so broad. You'll find everything from the high-waist panty to the thong. All the models share a sensual expression as well as high quality. What characterizes the high-waist panty in your collection? The high-waist panty is elegant and enhances the feminine body. The transparent bands reveal skin, which adds to the sexiness. The elastic is specially made for Lindex and is more flexible and comfortable than many other similar materials. High-waist is perfect when you have close-fitting garments. The thong is the other extreme in the collection. The model has a weightless feel and can be worn with advantage under a chiffon dress.

What is significant with the jewellery in your latest Affordable Luxury collection? The jewellery in the Affordable Luxury collection this Christmas is characterized by a striking elegance while at the same time, it is easy to wear. The necklaces and bracelets have a wintery feel, the stones are dark and shiny and the metal has an elegant black finish. Where have you found the influences for your jewellery design? I got the inspiration from crown jewellery of the 17 and 1800's. The old craft of jewellery-making and the extensive detail work has fascinated me. The English queens have been a big source of inspiration, especially Elisabeth the 1st. Her jewellery was enormous showpieces, which enhanced the complete attire. How have you developed as a jewellery designer since your last Affordable Luxury collection? I have really stretched the boundaries in this collection in a pleasant and elegant manner. The weight of the design is substantial in the Affordable Luxury accessories. The great challenge has been to find an expression in the crown jewellery that wouldn't be all too difficult to produce. I've become better at finding extravagant material combinations. This has made the design feel more exciting. How should your jewellery be worn in order to do it justice? At a fun New Year's Eve party with a v-neck halter dress or to the little black one. For everyday casual you can wear them with a v-neck cashmere sweater or a pepper-and-salt T-shirt and a pair of jeans. The jewellery looks best with calm garments without colourful patterns.