BEATE KARLSSON
BY ARIELLE TEPPERT PHOTOS BY ZENNIA LAM
Beate Karlsson’s collections are known to turn heads and make significant statements. The same stands with her AVAVAV Fall and Winter 2023 clothing release.
To start the show, a bag broke at the end of the model’s walk. Following that, another’s pair of heels broke in half. After the visor of a cap fell off, the audience concluded that this was on purpose. Clothes were unpinning themselves while being worn, revealing the model’s bare legs and undergarments, which left Karlsson’s fans questioning why the clothes were falling apart.
In an interview with HYPEBEAST, Karlsson said, “I’ve been asking myself; why is luxury so serious? Is it because we strive to be perfect? Could bad quality still be luxurious? The last collection was all about keeping up a fake projection of wealth and the personal failure of losing face when this illusion crashes. I’m still on that theme, there’s something very interesting about shame and what happens when we are vulnerable. I asked myself; what is the most embarrassing thing that can happen to a fashion house, and I figured garments breaking might be it.” She truly dissected the problematic industry of fast fashion.
The designer also commented on the “superficiality of fashion.” Karlsson aims to be transparent with the fact that fashion is not perfect, and things will go wrong. The fashion industry wants to portray the clothing and models to be perfect, which is never the case. Through Karlsson’s vulnerability and honesty, outsiders will be more open to fashion and the effects it has on the world around them.
