Meet the nominees! Talent Award by Steen & Strøm 2026 is here

Photo: Lucas Gaussen for Thea Kaasa/Esmod Oslo

The winner will be announced at the official Oslo Runway Opening Dinner at Kistefos Museum on August 31.

Oslo Runway and the Steen & Strøm Department Store are committed to support inspiring new talents. The Talent Award by Steen & Strøm was launched to support graduating talents we believe have got what it takes – and we're thrilled to announce this year's three nominees. This year's jury has been visiting the schools to evaluate and meet the graduate students from Esmod, Oslo Met and the Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO), and have been impressed by several pieces and designs.

- The S&S Talent Award is about discovering those who dare to forge their own path. This year's three nominees each have a distinctive point of view that stays with you – that lasting impression is exactly what we look for, shares Kaia Kongsli, Jury Leader and Head of Marketing at Steen & Strøm.

Congratulations to Lars Math Henrichsen (KHiO), Ewelina Wdzięczna (Oslo Met) and Thea Kaasa (Esmod) for their nominations to the Steen & Strøm Talent Award.‍
‍
Kongsli proudly describes:

– Lars brings reclaimed materials and subcultural references into fashion with a level of precision that feels internationally relevant. Thea demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the body and proportion that impressed the entire jury. And Ewelina creates something genuinely original from materials that others overlook. We feel incredibly fortunate to be able to champion these talents, and I look forward to seeing how they will shape the future of Norwegian fashion in the years to come, she says.

The three graduates and their collections will be displayed in a designed Pop-Up exhibition at Steen & Strøm (Karl Johan entrance) from August 17 and leading up to the Oslo Runway Fashion Week, starting on August 31. All three will benefit from unique industry exposure, and the winner gets a design residency with a Norwegian brand.

*Read more about the Talent Award by Steen & Strøm in 9 easy points here.

‍Congratulations!
And a big thank you to the industry insiders in this year's jury who've been sharing invaluable expertise, input and time.

Meet Lars Math Henrichsen & discover his work in our Image Bank here.
‍
‍Meet Thea Kaasa & discover her work in our Image Bank here.

Meet Ewelina Wdzięczna & explore her work in our Image Bank here.