Constantly chasing whoever or whatever is next in fashion can often leave me jaded, but then along comes Lamija Suljević. Based in Sweden, Suljević is one of the most gifted young designers I’ve seen in some time. The materials and handcrafted details in her Fall/Winter 2010 collection are infused with childhood memories of her native Bosnia. “When I think of my hometown, I think of old techniques and handmade garments. Having that with me during my design process has become one of my strengths. If I’m working on my collections, I work wholeheartedly. Nothing else is good enough. If my grandmother were alive she would be proud, and things like that are very important to me.”

Suljević achieves graceful floating volumes and her stitching is not only pleasing to the eye, but it also highlights the construction to great effect. “I used a brocade fabric that has a typical Balkan pattern. I knew that to get the right feeling I needed something more then just the material, I needed to show my handicraft. I used wool to hand stitch every seam with a braid-like stitch, and I also crocheted half of my collection.”

Suljević presently creates one-of-a-kind pieces by appointment in Stockholm, and her current collection will debut at Stockholm Fashion Week. With her talent, dedication to craftsmanship and strong work ethic, Suljević has a bright future ahead of her. “I was only five years old when we had to flee from Bosnia. I may not remember much of the country, but my parents have always been very careful to make sure that I remember where I come from. I was raised to value handicraft and to work hard for what I believe in.”

Photography: Emma Jönsson Dysell (New Blood Agency)
Styling: Tekla Knaust (New Blood Agency)
Hair and Makeup: Nina Belkhir
Model: Olivia R (IMG)