Hope

Origin: 2002, Stockholm, Sweden

Field: menswear

Designers: Ann Ringstrand and Stefan Söderberg

Biography:

Hope is a Swedish label created and run by the designers Ann Ringstrand and Stefan Söderberg. Both Ann and Stefan have solid experience with over fifteen years in the fashion industry. Ann is educated at one of the top design schools in Sweden and has during her career worked as Head Designer for a limited number of both national and international brands. Stefan worked as Product Manager for companies like Levi’s and Acne Jeans. After several years of friendship the duo decided to launch own label Hope. The first woman collection was launched in Autumn 2002 and in Autumn 2005, a collection for men was added. The first brand shop opened in Stockholm in 2006, with a HOPE Shop in Copenhagen. Hope was the first winner of the Nordic Design Award “Ginen” of IN Magazine in 2003. The Men’s Collection of 2005 was awarded the Café Magazine Fashion Award for “Newcomer of the Year”. In 2007, Hope was once again honored by Café Magazine as winner of the Fashion Award main category ”Designer of the Year”. The brand was also nominated for ”Designer of the Year 2007” by Swedish Elle Magazine.

Style:

Hope’s signature style is low key, clean, raw and authentic with ingenious and high quality details. The design stems from a masculine platform and inspiration derives from classic men’s wear and vintage uniforms. Innovated traditional fabrics with subtle structures and patterns are sourced to attain a unique and exclusive feeling. The collections are designed in an untraditional manner where each garment is created to stand on its own as a unique piece, rather than being matched according to seasonal themes or colour cards. The collections feature a limited number of garments and are designed with great attention and creative freedom to guarantee top of the line quality and exquisite detailing.

Fall/Winter 2011 « The Cap of the North » Collection:

Hope embraces the ambience from the region of the polar circle  ”The Cap of the North”. The Collection is inspired by Sea Captains  finding their way from the Arctic Ocean into the land of Lapland  looking for inspiration from the Northern culture. The mood is cold, clear and raw beauty with warm-hearted curiosity. The overall look is raw but sophisticated. The materials are Dry and crinkled Melton Wool, Rough Pinstripes, Mackintosh bonded Cotton, Waxed Cotton, Thin Cotton Voile, Washed Silk, variation of White Shirt fabrics, Heavy structured knits. The most important colour for the season is Navy Blue together with Camel, Yellow, Olive and Black the shades of Midnight Sun are represented.