• photography by AGNES STRAND
    stylist ANNA SUNDELIN / Agent Bauer
    make up EMELIE WOOD
    hair CAMILLA JÄRVÅS
    top LISA HELENA JACOBSSON
    earring BOTTEGA VENETA

    Marlene

    Written by Anna Sundelin

    Swedish singer, songwriter and producer of pop music. She creates her own label “SWEET MUSIC”.

    What is your dream project?
    I’d love to gather a lot of creative people to a concert night to celebrate music and all sorts of creativity. Something that stimulates all your senses basically, so I’d love to invite people who cook amazing food, artists, poets, photographers to make a rememberable night together. This summer, I arranged something like that but in a smaller scale than what I hope to create in the future. Also, I love karaoke and dream of starting a live karaoke club, with a band on stage so that people can feel like superstars for 4 minutes! Wouldn’t that be awesome?

    How did you become interested in this field?
    Music has always been a natural part of my life and I’ve always felt drawn to it. I remember when I first discovered piano as an instrument, I was at my grandparent’s house and they’d just gotten this piano to be able to arrange these so-called worship meetings at their home with friends and people from church. One day I laid my chubby little hands on it and remember feeling overwhelmed with how beautiful it sounded, but also super frustrated as I couldn’t play it properly. I heard melodies in my head and tried to figure out the right melodies and chords, only using my ears. Later, my parents helped me get private lessons and the rest is history!

    What did you learn a little too late?
    To not get stuck and keep yourself inspired. It goes for life in general too, I think we too often get stuck in relationships and situations that doesn’t flow, because we’re too scared of change or making things a little uncomfortable. I believe a lot of good things follows when you give yourself your best chances to feel good. So I try to surround myself with people that makes me laugh and to trust the process of life to turn out the best way possible, as long as I make sure to enjoy myself and what I’m doing.

    How would you describe your aesthetics?
    I get inspired by so many different things all the time. But I like the idea of a classic 90’s mom meets Mia Wallace and the world they’re in. Relaxed yet sharp and a little dangerous at the same time. I like it when things are a little bit off, punk and grainy but also classically beautiful and minimalistic. I’m also really into colors, it tickles my brain!

    Would you describe yourself as more of a pessimist or a dreamer?
    I think it takes a dreamer to turn your hobby into your job. You need some courage and probably some naivety too, to be able to see possibilities in things that might not seem possible for others. Having dreams pushes you forward!

    What gives you energy? 
    To be with my friends. And doing things outside my comfort zone. It makes me feel alive! For example, I’ve been producing music for three big commercials this year and that’s something I’ve never done before. Producing songs for yourself is hard and challenging in its own way, but to actually taking on the role of being in charge of the music in big projects that involves a lot of people and money is something else. I feel like a superwoman when I get a new challenge thrown at me that I’ve never done before and it turns out good.

    What is the best thing about being an artist based in Sweden?
    Sweden is small but we still strive to do big things and make a mark in the world. I think that’s why we’re so good in music here. And the music community is very supportive too, people are nice to each other and there’s so much talent here, it’s crazy! I’ve always felt very proud when going abroad to the US or so, and people find out that I’m from Sweden. It’s like you get approved just by being a musician from Sweden.

  • photography by AGNES STRAND
    stylist ANNA SUNDELIN / Agent Bauer
    hair & make up LISA RÖNNQVIST
    top AMALIE RØGE HØVE
    skirt FILIPPA K

    Madeleine Martin

    Written by Anna Sundelin

    Swedish actress who played Cleo in the famous web series Riverside. She also played in the short film “the Art of Breaking Up” and “Studio Sex”. The actress appears in the video clip “Addicted to You” of Avicii. 

    What is your dream project?
    I don’t really have one. My dream is to be able to work with a lot of different people from different parts of the world and learn other ways to make film, would love to write and direct my own projects.
     
    How did you become interested in this field?
    I followed my brother into acting. He’s five years older than me and I wanted to be like him and do whatever he did. My first thought was to be a photographer, so I studied that in high school. Where I met the best teacher I’ve ever had, Pippi Stenberg, who encouraged me to be in front of the camera during our classes. She was the one who persuaded me into my first audition which also led to my first job in acting. 
     
    What did you learn a little too late?
    To trust my own gut. That I sometimes know what’s best and that I know acting. And to not to be so hard on myself or my body or how I look.
     
    How would you describe your aesthetics?
    I don’t think I have a particular style. It constantly chances when I’m working but I have my roots and keep coming back to Stanislavskij and the old view of method acting. I’m a real nerd and like to dig deep and come as close as I can to the character, which is not always the traditional way of working in Sweden. I found out I have something for scents and use that a lot when I work. Different kinds of perfume or other scents can easily bring back a memory or remind you of a person. When I did my monologue at college ” just act normal”. I used my ex’s perfume in the third act to get me to the ” right place” in the scene. I had friends spraying the perfume in the audience at a certain point and the scent reached the audience and me at the same time. You could se their faces change during that last scene and it was really intimate. 
     
    Would you describe yourself as more of a pessimist or a dreamer?
    Both! I daydream a lot. Sometimes I find myself wandering the streets for an hour without thinking about where I’m going. Or I’ll talk out loud in a café or when waiting in line When I’m by myself.  One time I was waiting for the traffic lights to turn green and I zoomed out for a while, when I came back people were staring at me. I found myself laughing out loud while drooling.
     
    What gives you energy?
    My friends, partner and my mom! She’s kind of a hippie and doesn’t care for bullshit. She’s super funny and always reminds me of what’s important and what’s not. 
     
    What is the best thing about being an actor based in Sweden?
    To be honest, there’s loads of places around the world with exciting opportunities but hey, I’m so lucky to be able to do this anywhere. I’m privileged being born in Sweden during the 90’s and having the opportunity to choose what I want to work with. I can choose to not do a project and still be able to pay my bills and put food on the table because I can always take another job outside the industry. Feels like we often take that for granted.

  • CK One Future Alex

    Written by Fashion Tales

    photography by MIRANDA BARNES

    Can you tell us about your experience being homeschooled? Any favorite moments?
    Homeschooling was mostly a way for me to make time for the other things that I cared about more than reading or math. However, I got to create my own schedule, more or less, and for my extracurricular activities, I was in control. I got to walk around The Met every week for “art class” and take yoga at a studio for gym class. The time when I didn’t have to sit in front of my laptop was always more educational than the moments when I had to. 

    When did you realize that you wanted to work in fashion?
    The first job I ever wanted to do was to be a fashion designer because I thought that’s what every person in fashion did. I didn’t know you could be a stylist and just collage other people’s clothes together! I explored other things outside of fashion throughout my childhood too but when I was 15 and started assisting stylists, those experiences made me excited and interested in fashion again. 

    What is the biggest difference between living in London and New York?
    London, for me, is a lot more relaxed and sweeter. I’m able to focus on school a lot easier there, and I mostly hang out at my friend’s houses or my house and have dinners at home. In New York, I tend to be out of the house for most of the day hanging out or walking around and getting errands done. It’s less work and more play in New York. 

    Who would be your dream political leader?
    Marianne Williamson! Just kidding. I don’t know. I don’t have a lot of belief in one perfect person to lead everyone. So few people who get to that position are completely truthful and aiming to do their job solely for the people they lead.

    Why is it important for people to engage in social conversations and politics? Do you see social media playing a role in that?
    The thing many politicians would love most is if we didn’t talk about the government, or how it affects us, or what politicians are up to. That way, they could prioritize the things they wanted for their own personal benefit, and we wouldn’t have any idea. So, it’s important to keep the government in check and remind them that they work for us by being critical and holding up a magnifying glass to what goes on. Social media can be an efficient way to spread this information. 

    What would you like to see change for the LGBTQIA+ community in New York City?
    I can only speak for my experience, and that I’ve had a pretty good experience growing up gay in New York. I think it’s important to support your local gay bar or club because having spaces solely for the LGBTQIA+ community is so needed.
     
    What do you do to stay in the present moment and not to worry about the future?
    Not much hahaha, I spend a lot of time worrying about the future! But spending time with my friends is always very grounding and reminds me that what’s in front of me is more important than what could happen in the future. 
     
    Tell us about your experience being a part of Calvin Klein’s one future #ckone campaign?
    Being a part of the one future #ckone campaign was great! I love the message and having a chance to share my voice and thoughts on a larger platform. I had a wonderful day shooting with Miranda Barnes who is a great photographer and got to spend some of it with my best friend and brother as well, which was fun. 

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