Beatrice Stenmark’s collection was governed by the peculiar circumstances of the pandemic. Working from home was challenging, but also led Beatrice in a direction that she, perhaps, wouldn’t have explored during normal circumstances. Early in the process she decided to work with jersey fabric, and to experiment with its properties. Inspired by the 1800’s silhouette, line drawings and fashion designer Richard Malone, she facilitated material qualities to create form in a startling collection.

Corset boning and jersey fabric tend to be used for tight garments, often with the purpose of narrowing the human form. Beatrice’s goal was, however, to enlarge the human form by using the rigidness of the corset boning, and the elasticity of the jersey fabric. The materials themselves, therefore, led the design process, which apart from sketching, mostly consisted of experimental draping carried out in Beatrice’s living room. Among other things, Beatrice had to create an A-line crinoline in steel thread to drape on, to be able to achieve her silhouettes.

This collection is successfully coherent, yet each look stands on its own. The designs facilitate the material qualities in similar but different ways, making each design one of a kind. Beatrice has created complex integrated forms by using tension and strategically placed angles and curves in relation to gravity. Beatrice’s designs show how form in wearable fashion garments can be pushed to new heights.