The Ostwald Helgason label comprises the work of Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason. If you are at all familiar with the work of the label you’ll know how both designers provide the perfect balance between playful and tailored.

While previous collections have seen them design with a more fluid silhouette, their spring/summer 2009 offering sees them sharpening things up a little.

They cite Ballet’s Russes’ Les Noces as their inspiration and if you look closely you can see tiny photographs intertwined within the graphic, geometric pattern.

While there is black and white aplenty, just look at the super sleek suits and sharp shouldered blazers. They have also injected flashes of red, white and blue – the traditional palette of Russian folk costumes. It seems like a strange mix, both in terms of structure and pattern, yet somehow Ostwald Helgason manage to pull it off with aplomb. Further, it lends an interesting depth to the collection, steering it away from being just another collection boasting their tailoring prowess. The fact that Susanne and Ingvar have the foresight to add that much needed playful spirit elevates this collection even more in my opinion.

QUEEN MICHELLE