Icelandic fashion and design gains international popularity

Due to an influx of new up-and-coming designers, as well as fashion and design festivals, Icelandic fashion and design has seen a huge growth in popularity both domestically and outside of Iceland.

The Reykjavik Fashion Festival, which recently took place, lead to international media coverage, including popular style websites and blogs. The festival itself presented Iceland’s alternative take on fashion design, where influences tend to be drawn from the island’s eclectic culture, strong heritage and beautiful landscapes.  Highlights throughout the festival included various runway shows, the Fashion Market-Boutique and a live performance by American rapper, Ghostface Killah.

In addition to the fashion festival, the Icelandic design festival, DesignMarch also recently took place in Reykjavik.  The design festival found high recognition when the New York Times made specific reference to the festival in its ‘41 Places to Go in 2011’ feature, where Iceland was placed fourth on the list.

DesignMarch 2011, which took place between 24-27 March, was the third annual festival, showcasing the best in Icelandic design through various exhibitions, installations and lectures, combining unique ideas and trends.

A current distinct trendsetter of Icelandic design scene is the Vik Prjonsdottir Collective, with their new take on Icelandic traditions. Using the deliciously warm Icelandic lopi wool, they have knitted up such unique garments as the wool jumper ‘seal pelt’ and the ‘beardcap’ – a hat with an attached ‘beard’ and ‘moustache’.

Moreover, The Icelandic Fashion Council recently collaborated with Inspired by Iceland to produce a stunning video that showcases some of Iceland’s top fashion designers and their work. To view this video, visit www.inspiredbyiceland.com.

To learn more about Icelandic fashion and design, visit the Iceland Design Centre at www.icelanddesign.is.