FOLK FLAMBOYANCE
Swedish folk costumes with Lina Odell
Once the everyday attire of farming communities, today eye-catching fashion statements for any festive occasion. Whether inherited or newly created, each folk costume has its own story. When you wear a such a garment, it becomes part of your identity.
Lina Odell is a craftswoman, textile artist and seamstress, and Sweden's first journeyman in the art of dressmaking.
She is at the forefront of a renaissance for folk costumes in Sweden. Recently she made her TV debut in the morning show of TV4 and she acted as cover girl in the award winning magazine ‘Hemslöjden’.
“The only misplaced costume is the one that’s just hanging in the closet”
The exhibition delves into the history of folk and village costumes, their intricate details, many layers of fabric, stitches and the know-how passed from generation to generation. Lina is a staunch proponent of merging old traditions with some healthy rule-breaking.
Embrace bold colours, beautiful patterns, cuts and natural materials, and be inspired to create your own.
Welcome to the opening
May 1 at 2 pm
The exhibition is open all days until September 24, 2023. More info about opening hours can be found here.
Lina was born in Dalarna and has moved south to live and work in Blekinge, just north of Skåne. She works as a textile teacher at Blekinge College, while also running her own company KRUSA where she lectures, teaches and inspires in folk textile creation.
She has an education in modern couture and and pattern design, as well as traditional sewing. She has studied and trained in both Sweden and Denmark.
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Ingeborg Strömberg's scholarship 2009
BLT, cultural scholarship of the year, 2012
Blekinge Läns Hemslöjd, scholarship, 2012
Journeyman letter in the art of dressmaking, 2020
Bo Hammarsköld's scholarship, 2021
Kerstin Åhlin's scholarship, 2021
Society for the promotion of hard work, scholarship 2022