How I’m Making It: Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason of Ostwald Helgason

New York Fashion Week nights at Milk Studios have become legendary not only for the crowds, but for the new talent they unleash onto the New York fashion week scene. The breakout star of the fall 2012 was Ostwald Helgason, founded by Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason. The designers hail from places off the mainstream fashion map (Leipzig, Germany and Reykjavik, Iceland), but came together in London to launch their epynomous line in 2008.

Fans of their unexpected silhouettes, dynamic stripes and color combination, and comfy knits include Moda Operandi, Susie Lau, and us, so we grilled the duo about their spike to success and how they are “making it” in fashion today.

Fashionista: How did you meet?
Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason: We met whilst working at Marjan Pejoski in 2003.

Did you have any previous design experience?
Susanne completed an MA from the art college Burg Giebichenstein in Halle, while I [Ingvar] studied Fashion Design in Copenhagen before working as a tailor in Iceland and spending time at St. Martins in London.

What inspires your designs?
Our focus is on unexpected detail and subversive use of colour and pattern. We are drawn to a sense of adventure and exploration and the Ostwald Helgason girl is always on some kind of expedition into the unknown! She is definitely fearless, fun and curious about the world around her.

Brought to you by Virgin Mobile. We answer to A Higher Calling™