House of Dagmar unveiled the artistic story behind its sculpted silhouettes, inspired by Swedish artist Matthias van Arkel’s dynamic three-dimensional works. Translating his exploration of form and materiality into fashion, the brand crafted structured yet wearable pieces from innovative scuba fabric, each designed for timeless appeal.

During Stockholm Art Week, the collaboration came to life in a pop-up exhibition, merging art and design while highlighting House of Dagmar’s commitment to sustainable, seasonless craftsmanship. CEO Karin Söderlind reflected on the natural synergy between van Arkel’s organic shapes and the brand’s minimalist ethos, proving that great fashion begins beyond the runway.

Natalia Muntean: What makes Van Arkel’s artistic vision such a natural fit for House of Dagmar’s design ethos?
Karin Söderlind: We’ve always drawn more inspiration from other creative fields, such as architecture and art, than from the fashion industry, where form is often the primary source of inspiration. What captivated us in Matthias’s art was precisely the form he managed to achieve, the organically rounded shapes that emerged in the process of creation. Through our material, our way of sewing, and the person wearing the garment, organic forms are also created in the clothing itself.

NM: The Sculpted Tube Top is a centrepiece of this exhibition. How did your previous work with Van Arkel inform its design, and what makes this iteration unique?
KS: Our first collaboration was nine years ago, and the brand was in a different place back then. We were more interested in colours and patterns at the time, which we no longer are. Today, we create clothes based on a completely different design philosophy, where bold expressions are less central. Instead, the garment’s design, fit and quality elevate it, rather than colour and pattern.

NM: You’ve experimented with structured, sculptural fabrics before. How does the new scuba-inspired material push boundaries further?
KS: I don’t believe there are any limits to what we can do with this material. We develop new products with it every year. It’s soft, stretchy, comfortable, and smooth to work with.

NM: House of Dagmar is committed to responsible fashion. How does this collaboration align with that mission, especially regarding material choices and production?
KS: All our products are developed with a sustainable perspective in mind. The sculpted styles, in particular, are crafted from partly recycled materials and produced in Portugal, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and ethical production standards.

These styles are seasonless and part of our permanent collection, making them truly timeless. Longevity in our garments is something we really value, as it encourages mindful consumption and helps reduce the demand for fast, disposable fashion.

NM: What do you hope visitors took away from this fusion of fashion and art, especially those who may not typically engage with both worlds?
KS: I hope people can feel generally inspired and see how beautifully different worlds can influence one another. The works by Matthias that we had on display are our favourites, they’re quite unique for him, as he’s mostly worked with patterns and colours in the past. These pieces are monochrome, and some are in bronze. Truly beautiful!

NM: How does Stockholm’s creative scene influence House of Dagmar’s identity, and why was it important to debut this exhibition during Art Week?
KS: It was exciting to showcase our collaboration; we haven’t talked much about it before. Stockholm Art Week, which I think is an exciting event that keeps getting better each year, was quite a fitting occasion to present it. It’s wonderful to gather art from across Sweden in one week and show what we have. There’s so much more than people realise or are aware of. I think the Swedish art scene is becoming increasingly interesting, but I also find Swedes themselves inspiring. When travelling and meeting people, we feel very proud of ourselves, we’re creative, stylish, and cool.