AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.06.2003, Qupperneq 54

The photographer Klaus Francke published a book
where his aerial photographs of lcelandic nature clearly
illustrates our strange and peculiar landscape. This
book was the inspiration for many peculiar textures for
a large exhibitíon in Milan. It did not matter if the pic-
tures in his book were of land or water, they show
nothing but patterns and textures and no surface is
even.
Lava, I find, is very interesting subject. It is dífficult to
see its influence in the final material choice. One of its interesting qualities is its endless versions of textures.
Whether the lava is photographed or looked at through a painting by Kjarval, it is imposing and its colours
unique.
Each winter, snow falls and covers the country. The textures of the snow appear in many forms and the feel-
ings that we experience are varied. Evening sun and heavy frost. Dirty snow. Drifting ice.
The colours that can be seen in the mountains around
hot spring areas are wonderful, be they yellow, red-
brownish, pink, grey or white. This landscape is special
for lceland. The mountains hold characteristics that
inspire all kinds of textures, in folds and printed patterns.
In designing a collection that shows you, you have to
look within and then it is obvious where your sense of
beauty originates. The longer I design, the closer I get to
its origin. Although I do not always want to admit to
myself that my sense of beauty is lcelandic and I look
elsewhere for inspiration, I usually end up in lceland if I
dig deep enough. It has taken both a long time and long
periods abroad to get to know the world of
fashion, but dress design is a popular activity and much
appreciated in the fashion capitals of the world.
Hopefully, dress design will also become a respected
profession over here. ■