This year Ida Klamborn made her Stockholm Fashion week debut, and just to add some spice to the event she had feminist rapper Silvana Imam provide the music for her show. Imam made the news earlier when she was rapped about Sweden Democrats leader Jimmy Åkesson at the anti racist demonstration in Kärrtorp which quickly descended into a riot. We decided to meet up with the up-and-coming designer who now resides in Stockholm where she works from her Vasastan studio to get to know her better.

Ida Klamborn has always been interested in clothes and especially how they affect both the wearer and the beholder. She’s originally from a small village outside Lund in Skåne, but moved to Gothenburg in her early 20s to do the bachelor program in fashion design at the Swedish School of Textiles. Further studies towards a master degree followed, and parallel with that she started to pin down what she wanted to do after graduation, deciding to start her own company.

“I’m glad that I did it when I was still in school,” Ida tells us. “It gave me time to find people to collaborate with and to find my core in the work and in the company.”

How did you find your premiere at the fashion week?

It was great! I am very pleased with the result. I have been working very hard for this and I had a very strong and clear picture in my head how it would look like… but reality beat my imagination this time. I was so happy that day, the models, the clothes and the music became a very solid and powerful unit together.

Why did you use Silvana Imam for your fashion show?

I think her music is very raw, beautiful and explosive. There is a dynamic in the sound and the lyrics that I can relate to in my own way of working. We share the same political ideas regarding feminism and anti-racism, and are longing for a revolution in those matters. Actually, there weren’t any doubts about it. I really, really wanted her and her music in my show and I knew it would be powerful.

What’s been the response on your work so far?

Very positive, I love the fact that it’s a very wide diversity among those who appreciate my clothes.

What do you think is the key to succeed as a relatively new designer?

You need knowledge and to be able to reflect on your own work. You need to criticize the ideas but also dare to believe in your work. And collaborate with people who believes in you.

Feminism and anti-racism is gaining ground in the public debate. Do you feel like you are part of a trend or movement right now?

Mostly I feel that I’m part of the growing trend regarding collaborations between people. For example, I share a studio with two other designers who have their own brands. It’s great; we share machines, tools, experience and thoughts and always help each other out. And I see this tendency in other places and other industries as well.

Why do you think that is?

I believe the trend of collaborations and sharing is a reaction to the situation in the world today, with the financial crisis and so on. For example in Spain, where a kind of a trading community has started to grow, like a network that allows people to trade services without money. It’s interesting how we find creative solutions on problems to manage.

What inspires you?

Simple ideas and things fascinate me. I often tend to get obsessed with something, for example a colour or a pattern. And then I strive to improve and do my own version that is only mine. I can get excited about colour compositions, the drape of a fabric or the finish of a garment. The details that create the whole picture. I also have an obsession about the finish of garments, if there is a badly-sewn garment with a poor finish I feel frustration and a lack of engagement with it. Why spend time on creating a piece that’s not good? I can’t understand that.

But aren’t some mistakes a good thing?

It’s true, I love mistakes in the creative process. Many good ideas come from mistakes.

What are your plans for the future?

To stabilize my company and make it more economically viable, so that I can keep on doing what I love. I also dream of more interesting collaborations for future fashion shows. And to dress more awesome women, like Tilda Swinton for example!

What’s your favourite thing about Stockholm?

I have met so many great people since I moved here, so that’s the main one!