DesignMarch: Ostwald Helgason

I spotted someone wearing the most extraordinary skirt in Reykjavik. It was bold, exciting, beautifully tailored and I followed it (and the person inside it). It wasn’t weird at all, especially after they’d stopped and excitedly explained that it was an Ostwald Helgason piece. German-born Susanne Ostwalk and Icelandic Ingvar Helgason create narrative collections, my favourite of which is the Terra Nova inspired FW2012 complete with stranded ship motifs, reworked naval cuts, drape-like folds and unexpected shapes. Frequently referred to as intelligent design, they are also totally refined and unequivocally cool. If I had that skirt, I’d feel like a powerful lady.