Oslo Nights

“Touch it. Feel it.” The artists in Posthallen want you to explore for yourself.

Alexander Helle, designer at Norwegian Rain and initiator of “A Pop-up Book,” finds this the only and natural way to exhibit his raincoats. “To some designers, it might be sufficient enough to expose your designs on a model strolling the catwalk. What we do is more conseptual, and does not exactly fit into those phrames,” he explains. “Also we are not a trendfocused brand, so it wouldn’t feel right to show on a regular catwalk at Oslo Fashion Week.”

Norwegian Raincoats

Like a pop up book, you turn the pages for new surprises, as you wander from stand to stand. You discover that the pockets on a pair of pants might as well be made out of metal, and that the scent of Zanzibar can rise from wooden grapes grown on a gigantic plastic tree in Oslo.

“When different handicrafts work together, lots of the same principles are at work, yet the result is more exciting and complex.” Menswear designer Michael T. Narty (T-Michael) is into film as well as fashion, and at his stand we lay down on pillows, to watch his latest work projected on a canvas spun across the ceiling.

Double You Perfume carries two scents so far; Zanzibar and Norvége.

Italian Vouge journalist Kristopher Arden Houser was put on a plane to Oslo by his editor this weekend, to try and catch a glimpse of norwegian creativity. “Along with danish and swedish design, that we already follow, we are now paying a lot of attention to what is happening in Norway.”

For “Who is On Next? 2010″ in italian Vogue, fashion designer Davor Mutic (d/Majuscule) was hand-picked to be one out of seven designers to watch. Davor, who grew up in Voss, Norway, is one of the pop ups in Posthallen. Alexander Helle finds it strange that norwegian press hasn’t payed much attention to Davors recognition in italian Vogue. “It must be among the greatest things that has happened to norwegian fashion this deade.”

Davor Mutic (d/Majuscule), and Kristopher Arden Houser of italian Vogue.

Blogger Julie Leypoldt was impressed by the level of quality at the exhibition. “A great deal of norwegian artists and designers move abroad, since it is hard for them to find an arena for their talent in Norway. It is good to find a space like this at home, it doesn’t come across every day.”

Julie Leypoldt at her favorite stand, T-Michael design.

The 10 days exhibition is presented by Norwegian Fashion Insitute and curated by the artists themselves. Everything is put up on the principal of “dugnad,” meaning that each contributor is responsible for costs and practical. The exhibition was first shown at the Fashion Trade WHITE in Milan last year, and this is the second edition. Norwegian Fashion Institute wants to bring “Pop up Book” to other destinations abroad, to showcase norwegian creativity.

Bjørg is treasure hunting for her own jewelry design

As the night comes to an end, ballet dancer Jonas Øren galantly swipes his body across the center of the room in a modern dance, surrounded by two hundred attentive guests. It gives me the idea that the exhibition has even more potential when it comes to movement and performance, to showcase the interaction between beautiful handicrafts.

Words and photo: Rut Gjævert

Contributors: Kristoffer Kongshaug, T- Michael, Norwegian Rain, Bjørg Jewellery, Kings of Convenience, Sva Magazine, DoubleYou Perfume, Birk Nygaard, Karl Marius Sveen, Karen Gjelsvik, Agent K, Paul La Torelle, Jørgen Larsson, Siv Støldal, dMajuscule, Jonas Øren, Ferdinand Diener (KHiO), Ingvild Abrahamsen (KHiO), Marit Gálgablómið Seim (KHiO).