{"id":50912,"date":"2025-05-26T12:19:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T10:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/news\/stinarand-crafts-a-new-narrative-for-swedish-wool-at-stockholm-fashion-week"},"modified":"2025-06-26T13:15:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T11:15:35","slug":"stinarand-crafts-a-new-narrative-for-swedish-wool-at-stockholm-fashion-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/en\/news\/stinarand-crafts-a-new-narrative-for-swedish-wool-at-stockholm-fashion-week","title":{"rendered":"From Hiking Gear to Haute Couture \u2013 Swedish Wool in the Spotlight at Stockholm Fashion Week"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Stina Randestad\u2019s debut wool project together with The Swedish Wool Initiative features sculptural garments exploring the full potential of various wool qualities, including fibers typically overlooked in luxury fashion. Photo:\u00a0Lissa Sadikova<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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From stuffing in hiking backpacks to wool throws, soft cardigans, tailored suits and now: haute couture. Swedish wool is back in the spotlight – and in early June, it took the stage at Space by: Stockholm Fashion Week in the form of unique garments created by designer Stina Randestad. The garments are part of The Swedish Wool Initiative<\/a> – a cross-industry project led by Axfoundation and Dalarna Science Park aiming to end the waste of this precious material.<\/strong><\/p>

Today, only half of the wool produced by Swedish sheep is used – while Sweden imports more than 1,700 tons of wool every year. Since its launch in 2020, The Swedish Wool Initiative has brought together sheep farmers, wool brokers, and designers across fashion, outdoor, interiors, construction and furniture. Companies that normally compete are now joining forces with a common goal: to make use of all Swedish wool. The latest design venture with Stina Randestad shows that the possibilities of wool are endless.<\/p>

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“Swedish wool is such a high-quality material and a delight for me as a designer to work with. It makes the creation process rewarding – knitting, dying, draping, cleaning and eventually preserving for a long time to come. Knowing that the wool comes from our own sheep here in Sweden adds another dimension to the process, especially since this valuable material previously has been discarded,” <\/em>says Stina Randestad, founder of STINARAND.<\/p><\/blockquote>

Randestad’s sculptural designs stand at the intersection of artistic fashion, craft and innovation. She is known internationally for her distinctive aesthetic – with highlights including creating a piece for Björk and being selected as a semi-finalist for the LVMH Prize. This debut wool project features garments made from yarn spun with pure Swedish wool provided by Klippan Yllefabrik, along with fabric from the furniture company VERK. The materials reflect a diverse blend of breeds, including Swedish Finewool sheep and Dorset crosses, with details from Rya sheep hides also included in one outfit.<\/p>

The development process was partly realized at Toolspace – a space for hardware design and innovation in Stockholm – where Stina experimented with Kniterate, an advanced digital knitting machine, to explore the full potential of various wool qualities, including fibers typically overlooked in luxury fashion.<\/p>

Towards Zero Waste of Swedish Wool<\/h2>

Each year, Sweden imports over 1,700 tons of wool while more than half of its local production goes unused. The Swedish Wool Initiative<\/a> aims to change that, turning a previously wasted resource into a circular opportunity for fashion, interiors, and industry. By partnering with farmers, wool brokers, designers and brands, the initiative works toward zero waste of Swedish wool.<\/p>

“Fashion’s future depends on bold new material stories – and Swedish wool holds incredible, untapped potential. Through the Swedish Wool Initiative, we’re teaming up with designers across industries, from fashion to furniture, with one clear goal: ensuring no Swedish wool goes to waste,”<\/em> says Johan Sidenmark, Project Manager for Future Materials at Axfoundation.<\/p><\/blockquote>

Since the initiative’s launch in 2020, partners have created a wide range of products using Swedish wool – from soft knitwear and felted backpack padding, to tailored suits, cozy throws, durable upholstery fabrics, and now experimental fashion.<\/p>

“Transforming something overlooked into something lasting and beautiful is incredibly fulfilling. I hope that my artistic fashion pieces can inspire to use Swedish wool, which is a gold mine just around the corner,”<\/em> says Stina Randestad.<\/p><\/blockquote>

On Display at Space By: STHLMFW<\/h2>

Stina Randestad’s pieces were exhibited at the Nationalmuseum in June as part of Space By, an initiative by CVU for Stockholm Fashion Week for emerging designers, cultural pioneers, and fresh ideas. Separate talks featuring Stina Randestad<\/a> was also held there. After their premiere, the garments will be showcased at Torsåker Farm, Axfoundation’s development center for sustainable solutions.<\/p>

The creation of the garments by STINARAND has been made possible with support from the Swedish Handicraft Council. The Swedish Wool Initiative is partially financed by Vinnova and Region Dalarna.<\/p>

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About:<\/h2>

Stina Randestad \/ STINARAND <\/strong>is a Swedish fashion designer known for her innovative, sculptural creations that seamlessly blend artistry with sustainability. Through her design studio, STINARAND, she takes a research-driven approach to exploring materials and techniques, resulting in work that is both experimental and wearable. Rich textures in her designs often produces optical illusions or enhances the movement of the body. Randestad’s contributions to fashion were recognized in 2023 when she was selected as a semifinalist for the prestigious LVMH Prize. Her garments have been worn by artists such as Björk and Tierra Whack, and her iconic “hairy dress” was featured in Beyoncé’s visual album Black Is King. @stinarand <\/a><\/p>

Axfoundation <\/strong>is an independent, non-profit organization working practically towards building a sustainable society. Believing strongly in business as a driving force for change, Axfoundation develops concrete solutions within future food and future materials. Together with over 300 partners, Axfoundation tackles local and global sustainability challenges related to the things we buy, the food we eat, and the resources we use. At Torsåker Farm, Axfoundation’s test farm and a practical development center for future food and materials, actors across sectors and industries come together for knowledge exchange and engage in practical innovations. www.axfoundation.se\/en<\/a><\/p>

Facts:<\/h2>

Three Things to Love About Swedish Wool<\/strong><\/p>

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  1. Wool is breathable, beautiful — and biodegradable: <\/strong>Unlike synthetic materials, wool is breathable, naturally odor-resistant, and biodegradable.<\/li>\n
  2. Wearing wool supports local makers and slow fashion: <\/strong>Choosing Swedish wool means investing in craftsmanship, animal welfare, and a future where fashion values quality over quantity.<\/li>\n
  3. Wool is naturally antibacterial, dirt-repellent, and flame-resistant:<\/strong> Thanks to these unique properties, there’s no need to add chemicals like PFAS or biocides — commonly used in other materials to achieve similar effects.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

    How to Work with Swedish Wool<\/strong><\/p>