I had a marvelous photo shoot on Thursday with photographer Kim Müller, dancer Francesca Golfetto, stylist Line Sekkingstad and my husband as photo assistant. The shoot was organized before I started knitting due to the tight deadline for delivery to the Norwegian magazine Familien and their special issue Strikkeboka/Knitting book due out in late August. I was fortunate to find one test knitter, Airin Hansen, and my neighbor Karin Placht to assist me in knitting samples in time for the photo shoot. There is no way I would have managed on my own otherwise. Knitting two coats (Carla and Conic) and a scarf (Scarftex) in addition to finishing another jacket (for a different magazine), as well as designing another 5 items, was more work than I ever could have imagined in a month and a half. So I had to start knitting long into the night as well, since I was working 7 days a week already. Seeing the garments stunningly worn by Francesca, with the magic touch on hair & make up by Line, fabulous shoes and boots by Monica Stålvang and beautifully captured by Kim, made it all worthwhile! Not to forget that my husband found a several remarkable spots at Tjuvholmen, the end tip of Aker Brygge/Wharf in Oslo. It was a beautiful day with strong sunshine so we had to look for backgrounds in the shadow and found numerous next to the Astrup Fearnly Museum. We broke up for a decent lunch at Olivia (read: Bølgen & Moi was closed sadly) before we continued dressing and directing Francesca around in a very different manner than she is used to as a dancer. I felt so fortunate and cannot wait to see Kim’s selection of photos! Next week I am taking part in another photo shoot, what a treat!
Tag Archives: Monica Stålvang
Design in Progress: Carla Coat
My Carla Shoes in Wine by Monica Stålvang needed a coat to accompany them on an evening out, I decided. For awhile the design was a dress, but a coat is easier to wear and combine with other outfits. However, it did take me awhile to find a color and texture I loved, since I felt the shoes need quite a bit of drama to make the coat as stunning as the shoes. Norsk Pelsull/Pelt wool by Hifa in burgundy – ruby really – with its lustre was my first choice, but more volume and texture was necessary. So I tried to knit it double, which was closer to what I had in mind but still not perfect. I needed to go yarn hunting, and knew I did not have any contestants in my stash so no need for a stash dive.
The revelation dawned on me when I saw Rowan Lima yarn in La Paz, a subtle darker plum semi-solid shade, and knew it would add the essential volume and texture to the Pelsull. Next, what needle size do I choose; I wanted it dense and tested 5 mm/US 8 which was hard to knit with, I tried 6 mm/US 10 (read: mega size for me who likes to be on a size 3 mm/US 2.5) which made the fabric too loose; finally the winner: 5.5 mm/US 9 and the recommended needle size for Rowan Lima.
The sleeve has a braid framed by reverse stocking stitch and double seed/moss stitch, then stocking stitch under the arm. I have worked the sleeves in the round but will make the A-line body flat, possibly with 3 braids on the back. The fronts on the other hand have not agreed on their pattern yet, but will very soon since the pattern will be available late August in Familiens Strikkebok in Norwegian, then in English on Ravelry. The photo shoot is currently being planned. To be continued.
Design in Progress: Conic Coat
Here is another of my designs in progress. I have slightly modified one of my Brooklyn Tweed Designs Submissions, and the pattern will be published in Familien’s Strikkebok this autumn instead. The yarn I chose is Embla – Hifa 3, a pure wool with bounce, in a shade called lilac beige (read: in other words; taupe) which is perfect for a certain pair of Monica Stålvang shoes. I do hope the coat will match her stunning shoes, and I am ready for the challenge! The stitch pattern I have chosen is Blocks and Triangles by Lynne Barr – the boring blocks are on the back, and they are completely flat unlike the sculptural triangles on the front. Yes, they are made with a DPN or a cable needle in hand. Above is the bottom of one of the sleeves, I will start making the other now, so that I can work them together to the end. After pondering for awhile I decided not to knit them in the round because of the equal amount of purl and knit, the yarn overs on the WS, and the folding. I have also tested how I wanted to make the hem and to make the set up perfect I chose the old fashion way of sewing it up. The coat itself will have an a-line shape and end in a large shawl collar in a seeded rib pattern. I am very pleased it is an addictive stitch pattern, just as long as I remember to increase along the way, since I am working as fast as I can with plenty of ideas flowing through my head at the moment!
Monica Stålvang Shoes
I am in shoe heaven, and I have been there for quite awhile now. It is several months since I first spotted Monica Stålvang‘s amazing shoe creations at Designerkollektivet in Oslo. So what happened? Well, last week, I went to her showroom and studio at Bislett, and I have hardly slept since! Yes, her shoes have kick started a whole series of new designs to match their elegance and superiority. No, I did not leave the shop empty handed since I need to have them in front of me when I design! Entering the shop, with a studio at the back, feels like entering a smart shoe showroom in Milan. No wonder really since there are photos on the wall from Milan and Florence, indeed all of Monica’s shoes are made in Milan, where she has lived for years. I also loved seeing her sketches and then being able to study the finished pair. Monica has sourced the finest Italian leather, as well as Italian craftsmanship, and combines it with different materials, builds numerous kinds of soles and heals – that you can walk in and not merely totter around – into exquisite shoes and boots.
Above is Carla in wine, and despite Monica’s good photo, it does not do them justice because they are even more gorgeous in real life. The platform at the front and the stable heel do make them easy to walk in, to my utter astonishment!
Above is Carmen in petrol, which shows the play with different types of leather as well as colors. The interesting color and leather combinations makes each design seem like an unexpected innovation. Monica showed me some of the leather samples for the new collection which has not arrived yet, and I cannot wait to see it. There is, unfortunately, a limit to how many pairs I can buy, but thankfully I can borrow for press loans, so I am planning future photo shoot in detail far into the night.
Designerkollektivet
A group of Norwegian designers set up a Collective in 2009, first with a pop-up store but now in a permanent shop in Glasmagasinet, a department store in Oslo. The shop has recently been launched and contain some stunning pieces made by the 21 brands taking part in the Collective. It feels more like a gallery than a shop and several of the designers offering business-cards to take with you. I was inspired by one-off designs by Sorl ved Strand, they were machine knitted and several were marked with “concept under development”, an extremely fitting phrase for a designer’s work in progress! You can see photos from the launch, which included a fashion show here: designerkollektivet-opens-new-store-during-oslo-fashion-week. Here are links to all the designers participating in the Designerkollektivet.
I love the look of these shoes made by designer Monica Stålvang and were not surprised to find customers trying these ones on. They have heels you can easily walk on without any discomfort, and look trendy – a rare combination, indeed. See more of her collection here: monica-stalvang. You will obviously find beautiful jewelry as well in the Designerkollektivet. Below are some of the stunning brooches made by Siri Berrefjord. They are based on traditional folk costume jewelry several centuries old, but not made in silver nor gold but in colourful plastic. See more at fredenshavn. A marvelous shop, I will be back for more inspiration!
