Carin Rodebjer: From Farm to Fashion City

By Bee-Shyuan Chang
October 26, 2011

Fashion designer Carin Rodebjer now calls New York City home, but she wasn't always such a city slicker. She spent her childhood on a farm on the remote Swedish isle of Gotland. But rather than shoot for Stockholm, the nearest metropolis, Rodebjer set her sights on somewhere further. In the late '90s, she moved to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology. Not long after, she launched her namesake contemporary line and earned loyal fans for her stylish but sensible designs. Long a big name in Sweden (she's received the Designer of the Year award from Swedish Elle three times in the past decade), she opened shop in Manhattan just this year. Charging full steam ahead—the collection is currently carried at buzzy boutiques such as Bird, Eva NY and 11th Moon—this year also marks the debut of her online shop. Here, the busy designer talks cross-cultural influences, her spring 2012 collection and what she's looking for on eBay this fall.

The Inside Source: You grew up on a farm in Sweden. That's a far cry from the NYC fashion scene. What was it like growing up there?

Carin Rodebjer: Quiet and safe. I had lots of space, time and nature all around and nothing to buy, so I had to be creative and invent what I wanted to play with myself.

The Inside Source: Why attend FIT versus a school in London or Paris?

Carin Rodebjer: For some reason I always dreamed of New York and I knew I wanted to get inspired by the freedom New York offers and the melting pot of ideas you get in the city. Paris and London are amazing and very inspiring, but to me in one conservative way. The influences are so much more diverse in New York City.

The Inside Source: You're based in New York now, but your line has ties to Sweden. Does Swedish style influence your designs?

Carin Rodebjer: Sweden influences me a lot, since that's where I grew up and have lived most of my life. I like the sensibility that Sweden offers—the idea that clothes have a function. It is not about just showing off, and fashion is made with the customer in mind.

The Inside Source: What neighborhood do you call home in NYC?

Carin Rodebjer: Upper West Side. I am in love.

The Inside Source: What's your favorite part about living there?

Carin Rodebjer: My rooftop, Central Park and the cozy atmosphere.

The Inside Source: Would you say you design for a woman living in an urban environment?

Carin Rodebjer: I always say that the Rodebjer woman has an urban state of mind but she can choose to live anywhere. She is open-minded, vibrant and confident.

The Inside Source: Tell us about your Spring 2012 collection. What was the inspiration?

Carin Rodebjer: We imagined an artist frantically mixing life, love and work under the blazing sun on the Mediterranean coast.

Carin Rodebjer Spring 2012 Collection

The Inside Source: That explains the sunny color in the collection!

Carin Rodebjer: Yes, the idea was based on artist's palette and her canvas. So there are both pieces inspired by the raw canvas and pieces inspired by the painter's palette and strong pigments.

The Inside Source: As for your personal style, what are some of your favorite pieces in your closet?

Carin Rodebjer: The wide pants and a relaxed suit from my [fall] collection.

The Inside Source: Where do you usually shop?

Carin Rodebjer: I only shop vintage.

The Inside Source: Have you shopped eBay for vintage before?

Carin Rodebjer: Yes, of course.

The Inside Source: What do you shop for?

Carin Rodebjer: I have bought some fantastic jewelry and a classic YSL loafer.

(Photos courtesy of Rodebjer)