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With this year’s three nominees for the Steen & Strøm Talent Award already announced, we’re looking back on last year’s winner and his exciting time at Dale of Norway during his designer residence.
*Every spring, the Talent Award by Steen & Strøm jury of the year visits the three fashion and design schools of Oslo to nominate one graduate from each school who has got what it takes. Together, we’ll do our best to uplift these up-and-coming designers, and finally, grant an exciting and important designer residence for the chosen winner. Read more about Talent Award by Steen & Strøm here.
Last season, during our Anniversary Dinner at the Munch Museum on the ORW25 Opening Night it was Ola Moe’s name that was called from the stage when it was time to announce the winner of the Talent Award by Steen & Strøm. According to him, it was a big shock.
– My first, immediate thought was that there must have been a mistake, he shares.
– I hadn’t even expected to be selected within my own class at Esmod. I was actually on my way to northern Norway with my graduate collection packed in the trunk when Sunniva (Ed.: Sunniva Hartgen, Head of Fashion at Oslo Runway) called to tell me I had been selected as a finalist for Steen & Strøm’s Talent Award, he adds.
He still remembers the feeling of surprise sitting there, surrounded by so many people he respects – and alongside the other nominated Vilde, Line and Vårhild, all incredibly talented emerging designers, he underlines – and hearing his own name.
We’re checking in with Ola Moe almost a year later with an easy Q&A to hear all about his learnings and current inspirations.
– We would love to hear how your placement at Dale of Norway was! We’ve visited ourselves – it’s such a cozy and impressive place.
– My experience can best be described with one very fitting word: warm. I first met the design department which resides in Oslo, where I was introduced to Dale of Norway as a brand, its history, and its position within Norwegian fashion and textile production. We spent some time discussing inspiration, references, and how to approach designing within an already well-defined identity, he says.
– Dale of Norway has such a strong heritage and a deep-rooted history in Norway, and being one of the few brands that still produce locally gives their work a level of authenticity and integrity that I find incredibly inspiring as a designer, shares Moe.
He explains that he was introduced to the system used to develop artworks, which allowed him to explore and experiment on his own. This process eventually developed into several sketches and design proposals that he would present to the team.
– One of the most valuable moments was participating in a handover meeting between the design and production departments. Seeing that transition from concept to something that needs to function in a real production setting was important. During this meeting, the final design and artwork were approved and sent as a complete package to the production facility in Dale, just outside Bergen, he explains.
Visiting the factory at Dale was a highlight in itself, he admits. Spending a full day there, meeting many of the employees and getting a tour of the production facilities put things into perspective.
– Seeing the scale, while still maintaining such a high level of care, was impressive. I even got to see knitting machines producing a design I had created, which felt very special!
– What kind of inspiration are you taking with you from this experience – perhaps into your own brand or future work?
– The main feeling I’m left with after this collaboration is a strong desire not only to create products of high quality, but also to be part of a team that truly excels at what they do. What stood out to me at Dale of Norway was how their level of expertise is both steady and understated, yet always present. There’s a quiet confidence in the way they work. They don’t need to be the loudest, their work speaks for itself, he explains.
– That mindset has really stayed with me. It’s made me reflect on the kind of values I want to bring into my own way of producing. A focus on craftsmanship, consistency, and integrity in textile materials. Not just aiming for something that looks good, but something that is well-made, thoughtful, and built to last, says Moe.
– How do you feel strengthened in meeting the fashion industry and the job market after working with such a well-established brand?
– In the sense that I’ve had the opportunity to see and understand the entire process behind a physical product. From the initial idea and design phase all the way to a finished piece you can actually hold in your hands. That kind of insight is incredibly valuable, because it connects the creative side with the technical and practical realities of production, says Moe.
– What’s next for you?
– Right now, I'm focusing on developing Heiemo, even though I don’t feel like I have everything figured out. I try to trust the process and my instincts, he shares.
At the same time, he explains that he’s focusing on gaining experience within every branch of the industry. Working with others, understanding different parts of the field, and building a stronger foundation both creatively and professionally.
– Ultimately, the goal right now is to absorb as much knowledge as possible, while at the same time enjoying the process, says Moe.
– Where do you see yourself in five years?
– In five years, I hope Heiemo has grown into something more established and clearly defined. I’d love to have presented another show, maybe even built a more consistent presence through collections or an online store, he states.
Adding, perhaps on a more personal note:
– I hope to have gained enough experience to feel more confident in my direction, understanding both the creative and business sides of what I do. Ideally, I’ll be in a position where I can continue developing Heiemo while working with others, learning constantly, and building something that feels both personal and relevant, he says.
– HELPING TO ENSURE THAT INVALUABLE KNOWLEDGE IS PASSED ON THROUGH GENERATIONS
The collaboration with Ola Moe is deemed a success. Håkon Dyngeland Solem, Creative Director at Dale of Norway, describes a situation of mutual curiosity and loads of motivation to learn and evolve.
– It was a pleasure to welcome Ola to Dale. He is a talented designer with a genuine curiosity and a constant desire to expand his knowledge – qualities that were evident throughout the project and in his collaboration with our sewing and knitting teams, says Solem.
– We collaborated to develop a selection of products based on Ola's design language and his interpretation of traditional knitting patterns and other textile crafts. Through a series of workshops, we refined the concepts into a design that Ola presented to our sewing and product development team at the Dale factory, he describes.
Together with their technicians, they went on to discuss the possibilities and challenges related to the design and knitting techniques, while their pattern makers worked closely with Ola to refine the fit and construction, explains Solem.
– We then agreed on a clear direction and began adapting and developing his designs to make them suitable for production while staying true to his original vision. We held regular meetings with everyone involved to ensure the final products reflected exactly what Ola had envisioned, he shares.
The project concluded with a photoshoot featuring Ola's designs on a model by the river, just a stone's throw from the Dale factory.
Over the years, Dale of Norway has collaborated with students from various colleges and universities, and they clearly see the value of working closely with educational institutions to attract new talent to our industry.
– These partnerships are essential not only for recruitment, but also for fostering innovation and curiosity. They allow unique craftsmanship and technical expertise to be passed down through generations while encouraging fresh perspectives that inspire new products and help shape the future of our industry, says Solem.
– It's important for our industry to evolve with the times and embrace the ideas and perspectives of younger generations, enabling us to remain relevant and connected to the spirit of the moment. By sharing our expertise through collaboration and training, Dale of Norway helps ensure that valuable knowledge in product development and knitwear craftsmanship continues to thrive for future generations, he says.
If you’ve got any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out at info@oslorunway.no.
