Vintage Vibes, Rock & Roll, and Sustainability
Part of the burgeoning Scandinavian fashion scene, where creativity meets sustainability, is Gestuz—a brand that embodies the vibes of the past and the promise of a future.
Founded in 2008 by Sanne Sehested, Gestuz draws from Sehested's own vintage-inspired wardrobe and vibrant style energy. The designs are a testament to women's strength and interpretive freedom. Here, we examine the brand's essence, exploring its design philosophies, inspirations, and commitments.
The spirit of the 70s and 80s is at the core; these eras, which reflect Sanne's upbringing, mirror the brand's DNA.
"The 70s and 80s will forever have my heart,"
says Sehested, continuing,
"It could be because such an important part of my upbringing was in those eras, and the culture of your youth stays close to you forever. Those decades also embrace a vital part of my inspiration uniquely: music.
The power of women, rock and roll, edgy performances, leather jackets, and attitude. I might visit the 90s and the early 00s, but my heart is with the shoulder pads and silhouettes of the 70s and 80s."
When asked what the mood board was for the AW 24 collection and what colors, music, and ambiance drove her, she declared,
"Red lips and leather pieces were some of the first words—a subtle dance with temptation. The collection, Temptation Dance, tells the story of a woman who has no intention of choosing how she shows up at work or for play.
There is a vibe of “undoneness” and, of course, the ever-present rock & roll inspiration shown through these unpolished glimpses between the glitzes."
Sanne continues,
"It is the subtle dance with temptation each day—to dance, party, and live—to be fierce and fearless. It is the indulgence of luxury otherwise saved for special occasions, blurring the lines between going out and office-core.
Why save the fun for rare occasions when life is so short?"
At FLH, we agree that there is nothing quite as coveted as the distinctive style of every icon, model, and stylist off-duty. The dream would be to enter these closets through Narnia's doors and “muse” the often-hand-picked creations. Sanne gets this and has made this longing the brand's drive. Like me and many other women, she is a mood dresser who defies seasons and trends. She wants to choose between maxi, mid-calf, or miniskirts on a whim; the latest collection attests to this. Some critics might have called this chaotic in the past, whereas today, it is more of a healthy dose of pure self-confidence.
In a world increasingly conscious of its ecological footprint, Gestuz seamlessly weaves its eclectic vibes with responsibility towards the environment. The design process is akin to a dance between imagination and sourcing materials. Sometimes, a piece begins with a story or a vintage inspiration; other times, the fabric guides the journey. This fluidity can change direction as new materials inspire new designs or initial concepts evolve.
So, what about sourcing and supply chain accuracy? Sanne says customers, growing ever more aware, seek quality and ethical responsibility, pushing the brand to explore innovative solutions like textile-to-textile recycling and alternative materials such as viscose and Nya acetate.
"I see a future where we will only get more questions. Customers are becoming more aware of where materials come from, how they are sourced, and how the production part of the supply chain works. Earlier, only a few thoughts about these processes.
So, as consumers become more informed, they also seek this information from us. I only find this development very positive,"
Sehested concludes.
See our Gestuz Transparency shortlist on our Instagram for more.
Article by Johanna Ljunggren
READ MORE