Multitasking a bit today; working on a feature in a New York based magazine:D

Needlework & Technology Conference

Yesterday I was at a really interesting conference here in Oslo called Needlework & Technology where Fashion and Design met Business and Technology, focusing on designing for the future, revitalizing craft and new retail.

So many interesting speakers that really inspired. For example Michael Schagger, Founder and Director of The Sustainable Fashion Academy, said that we needed to shift our focus from selling sustainability to selling experiences and services that encourage sustainable behavior and make it natural and enjoyable. I love that! Right up my alley.

Then there was this other guy called Michael Lind who really was a great inspiration and a pure delight to listen to. He is Founding partner and Head of Sustainability at Uniforms for the Dedicated and not the least; he is a nature child, surfer and a big dreamer. He is just that kind of person that believes everything is possible and therefore go out and just do exactly what makes him excited and inspired. He said that if you're really good at something you don't have to talk - people will talk for you. You just have to make yourself relevant. And then he asked if you want to be in a pioneering company that push the world forward or do you want to stagger in an old one paving around in old habits?
He also talked about garments that becomes trash - what do you do with them when you don't want them anymore? This is a challenge that goes back to the designer; how can designers make it easier for the consumer to dispose a garment in a way that protects Mother Earth?

Jens Dyvik, a Norwegian designer specialized in global collaboration and local manufacturing talked about his 2 year research world tour where he worked at open collaborative workspaces in all corners of the world. He showed us how he had designed a chair and then shared it with this workspace (called FabLabs) network around the world where people can just download it and make their own chair. So fascinating how people from different places had adapted the design of the chair for their needs and used local inspiration. As he said it's all about Making - Living - Sharing. He raised a really important and relevant question to the designers of today: Why is it so dangerous to share? You get so much back from sharing! This made my heart jump because this is exactly what I want to do with my concept of Zero-Waste design; I want to SHARE it. I want to share it with everyone that is interested to learn; everyone that is interested in taking part in a Zero Waste DIY Movement. Yep. Still in the idea process, but stay tuned for updates!

There's so much more I could have said about interesting topics that came up, but I'll save some for later:)

Alive in Berlin

So I'm going to this amazing conference in Berlin in the end of May. My beautiful and inspirational friend Marthe (www.thefreedomexperiment.com) is hosting it together with 4 others. The event will gather change-makers from around the world and the core themes that will be explored is Work & Money, Relationships & Sex, Community & Spirituality, Health, Food & Fitness, Adventure & Aspiration. There are some great speakers on the menu and you will surround yourself with likeminded change-makers and most likely walk away with nurtured dreams and ambitions.

Their quote is:
“Together we’ll explore the common threads that connect us and make us come alive.”

So come and join us! I think it will be pretty awesome!:D 
Use this link for early bird tickets ending on February 14. :
http://aliveinberlin2014.eventbrite.com/?aff=earlybirdticket&afu=58472672463

Birthday card

I love making small birthday cards for family and friends. Made this little watercolor for my beautiful friend Elise the other day.

Egon Shiele

One of my favorite artists and a big inspiration is Egon Shiele. I'm in love with his raw pen and how he uses color - it's minimalistic, but yet so powerful.

My meditation

I've drawn and painted since I can remember, I know it's a cliche, but it has always been my place to escape. In kindergarden I would sit for hours and just draw, it was my favorite thing to do. When I was twelve I started to draw celebrities (should've had Instagram back then!). Then I discovered watercolors and I painted everything I could see from my window. Then there was the angels - I drew them in pencil and in red and black charcoal. Same with torsos - my mom has two large pictures in the living room. Then I started fashion school and I had to draw ladies of course - or figurines as it's called in fashion. And I loved it. I would sit all night long drawing figurines. But then I got tired of my controlled expression, I just couldn't find a way to draw that I really liked - before I tried drawing with my left hand. That was a total new experience and so much more spontaneous. Scary and uncomfortable yes, but also a sense of freedom because it couldn't be perfect anyway. 
It requires courage and always when I start a new drawing I have to be fearless - I can't think because then I'll fuck it up. And that's what I love - the absolute surrender as if I'm possessed. I don't really have any control over my hand (not like I have with my right hand anyway) I'm just doing, but the tricky part is when I start to think and try to control my hand - as I very often do. It is really like meditation. The drawings and paintings where I've managed to just let it flow are the best ones. I should say that I paint with my right hand, but always sketch up using my left. 

These pictures was very spontaneous - it just came over me. 
I'm launching prints in the webshop on monday with a special opening offer so stay tuned!

Paintings for sale

I have these original pieces for sale. They are all 50 x 70 cm with frames, 2800 Kr each. Contact me if you're interested:-) 

Mail: maja@stabelstudio.com

Tlf: 90194036

The Glass House

Often I find myself wanting to escape; just to be surrounded by nature. It's like the city clogs my mind and I need some clarity. Some peace and quiet. I'm addicted to social media and it scares the crap out of me. So I fell in love when I saw this place. I imagine I would leave my iphone and mac behind and just bring a notebook and some painting equipment. Bliss

Blank sheets

New year, new ideas and blank sheets – YES !

2013 was a year of learning – big time! And although it’s been some tough times I know that I have learned the lessons I needed to learn to move forward and evolve – to discover even greater things.

To start with I’ve learned that I don’t want to run a clothing label – not in the way you think of a normal clothing label anyway. That wasn’t my dream and never has been. But I'm very passionate about eco-fashion and sustainability and I want to have a say -  I want to teach and inspire and I want to make a difference. Like Stefan Siegel so brilliantly put it in this editor letter; we need to take action:

http://www.notjustalabel.com/editorial/editors_letter_2013

I don’t want to have a huge production where there’s a possibility that my clothes end up at sales and as storage leftovers - hey, I’m doing zero-waste! And seasonal clothing are sooo 2013 ;)
I need a better idea – a different solution for the way I run my business and I think I got it, just not quite ready to share it yet. But the idea is all in the name of going slow, thinking outside the box and co-creating with the customer.

A thing I wrote earlier this year (mostly to make myself remember) on ‘The way to success’ that I thought I’d share:

The way to success is when you understand that the journey is your destination; when you understand that if you’re happy and enjoying what you’re doing you are successful; when you understand that taking one step at the time is the only way; when you understand that you have to work your ass off, but you have to do it joyously; when you understand that every phase you’re in is beautiful and have something to teach you; when you understand that it's ok to fail - actually it's crucial because it's the only way you'll learn; when you understand that you need to flow with the river and grab the opportunities that sing to you; when you understand that you can’t do everything alone - you need to reach for help; when you understand that you’re not actually meant to struggle or stress – you’re meant to unfold naturally without pushing it too hard; when you understand how to detach and not believe your negative thoughts – they are only thoughts; when you understand that who you are and what you do is two separate things; when you understand that you’re not meant to be like anyone else – you’re meant to be you; when you understand that you don’t have to follow the rules – you have to follow your heart.

Your way to success depends on how you approach it.

My painting called 'Bliss'

One thing is for certain and that is that I'm gonna draw and paint a lot more this year as it's something I truly love to do. I have an exciting collaboration with Jan Thomas at the moment for a couple of illustration projects launching in March and April. And remember to follow me on Instagram for frequent posts: @stabelstudio  (mostly of drawings and paintings)

Stay tuned! 

I wish you an awesome 2014; live in the moment and discover the magic :)

And remember;
Be kind
and

"It's my party"

WEEhuuu..exhibition/pop-up shop coming up!! I will exhibit pictures and clothes in a wonderful little gallery called Schadenfreuden at St. Hanshaugen in November - opening Thursday 7th. You will be able to buy original watercolor paintings and clothes( AW13, samples and some brand new warm homemade stuff:D).
#workinprogress:

Shit happens

I've planned a lot of blog posts, but obviously haven't been able to spit them out there..I guess I've just been overwhelmed(What's the meaning with stonehenge?). To sum it up: shit happens! But the show in London went great with a lot of good feedback and soon there will be a new website WITH a webshop AND I have an EXCITING happening coming up in November so stay tuned! Oh, and the pictures from STABELs new collection(not a fan of season labeling) is a tiny bit delayed, but here's a little preview:

The metamorphosis of STABEL part 2

A lot of things are going through my head these days as I'm trying to mold this business that I started. Difficult decisions gets thrown at me all the time and I'm trying to listen to my heart to navigate through them. I recently had to cancel my planned show at Copenhagen Fashion Week because I didn't feel ready yet. It was a very hard decision to make and I cried as I sent the email, but something in me told me that I needed more time - time to step back and really think through what I want this business to be and carve out a business model that I feel correspond to my values and intentions.

Sometimes I feel that I'm in the wrong business - that I don't feel at home here and that I don't want to follow all the rules that comes with it. But I know that I'm here for the right reasons and I will continue to fight for a different approach - a slower approach - and I'm very excited about it!
I'm planning to start up a web shop soon with some limited edition styles and more exciting news to come - stay tuned!

Meanwhile I'm painting a lot these days as it clears my mind.. Check out my shop on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MajaStabel or my Tumblr site: http://majastabel.tumblr.com/ to see more work. For any inqueries please mail me at maja@stabelstudio.com - I would be delighted to hear from you!

What I'm doing these days..

..sewing, drawing, planning, writing, designing, painting, reading, searching, dreaming, grasping, doubting, learning, reaching, laughing, crying, hoping, yearning, waiting, worrying, digging, finding, loving, enjoying and playing around with old sketches.

Visit at DAFI and CFW in Copenhagen

I've just been in Copenhagen for a meeting with Danish Fashion Institute and Copenhagen Fashion Week. It was a wonderful visit! Exciting times:-)

STABEL in the Norwegian magazine 'Stylemag'

STABEL in the Norwegian Magazine 'Alt for damene'

Painting time-out

When the business planning is totally overwhelming me like it has the past couple of days I take some time out to paint. It always calms me down and make me forget about everything else for a little while. Take a look at my new 'Illustration' page in the side menu:-)

The metamorphosis of STABEL

So with all the talk about transparency and to be honest about your supply chain these days I wanted to share with you my way into it.

I am producing my first collection in India. Why India? Because there is a school here in Oslo that has collaboration with this Indian supplier and they are helping new designers to get their production up and running. That means that they produce as low quantities as you want and they have a professional video conference system that makes it very easy to communicate and to actually see the samples in detail (because of the high quality video that can zoom in and out on details) before they ship it. In this way we spare a lot of shipping costs (and CO2 emissions) because there is no shipping of samples back and forth. To find production as a new designer is a big challenge - as very few factories want to produce low quantities and if they do, it's super expensive. And to come in with a vision of changing the way the business of fashion work is not easy to say it lightly - there is certain rules you should follow. But I will continue to fight for slower fashion where seasons are faded, quality is put before quantity and innovative and sustainable solutions are the new rule.

I’m still in the process of figuring out how to make this all work and I’m going crazy because I want to do it all at once and I want to be as good as the people that has been in the business for many years. I want to use organic materials and I want to be 100% transparent – but all in it’s right time, when I have more resources.

I realized that I need to pave the path first and find my own way in the right time and it is all in the process of learning, trying, failing, discovering AND enjoying. The challenge lies in taking one step at the time and having patience to build something from nothing and to not lose yourself and your vision in the process. 

I will continue to put out posts about the daily life and challenges of STABELstudio. 

Hopefully you can use my experiences as an entrepreneur and designer for inspiration and learning or just for pure amusement. 

And to kick it off here is an article by one of my biggest inspirations and a sustainable fashion superhero, Bruno Pieters of 'Honest By' :

Does Transparency in the Clothing Supply Chain Matter?

by Bruno Pieters, Honest By, 03/11/13

So I've been in India for the production and it was wonderful!

The factory is cute and the people are very nice. They loved the idea and concept of STABEL and it's no problem to make minimum waste work in production!:-)

Video from the show

STABEL AW 13