This is Sweden by Ana and Pablo Londono is based on two refugee children who grew up in Sätervägen and now create fashion that challenges the notion of the Swedish identity. The latest collection will be launched in Amsterdam on Friday 15 August.

Siblings Ana and Pablo arrived in Sweden as political refugees from Colombia in 1991. The duo now tackle issues of identity, nationality and culture through a joint design expression that explores the experience of being part an increasingly racialised Sweden. This, in a Europe that is characterised by recent organised racism wins in parliamentary land.

Comments Ana, ‘We are concerned about the developments in Europe and would like to show that there are voices against racism even in the ‘non-political’  fashion world. This is Sweden is also a way for us today, as adults, to deal with the unpleasant deja vu feeling that the 1990s racist winds are back – this time under a different name, with wide acceptance and great political power.’

This is Sweden has been in collaboration with some of Sweden’s top young creative professionals in the fashion and culture of the industry. ‘We want to take back the right to define ourselves and claim that Sweden is also our home. We are inspired by our childhood in Sätervägen where refugees from around the world blended their cultural expressions with what they found second hand or at your local recycling scheme. Meanwhile, we pay tribute to the Scandinavian craftsmanship and design that we grew up with,’ says Pablo.

Exhibition launch in Amsterdam
At the new exhibition, ten silhouettes which represent the backbone of the fashion campaign will be showcased. Alongside research material, Pablo and Ana Londono will display the diverse range of collaborative works which emerged from their fashion campaign including a graphic novel, short film, photography, catalogue and several writings.

The duo has also designed and produced new special edition pieces exclusively for Frame.

See the exhibition at the Frame store at Felix &Foam, Keizersgracht 324, Amsterdam.

When: Friday 15 August
Where: Frame store 
Time: 16.00–19.00

RSVP: via the Facebook event page

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