Envelope1976 - SS24

Stepping down the driving ramp of an underground car park, all grey cement and stone pillars, guests attending Envelope1976’s SS24 collection are greeted by high-shine spotlights and a row of steel stools. It’s only the brand’s second runway show, and the energy in the cold, stone garage is palpably electric. The setting is “just like Celine", a fellow front row guests comments. Cool, through and through.

Celine Aagaard, the founder of the brand who received the Oslo Runway Tribute Award earlier in the week, confirms the venue choice is very much in line with the brand’s DNA. “When it comes to the venue, the most important thing for us is to use spaces that already exist and to reuse elements we have,” Aagaard explained ahead of the show. “It’s not very sustainable to set up a huge ensemble and create a space with things you have to throw away the day after.” Last year it was a house under construction; this time, the designer brought her guests to the car park below the brand’s showroom.

Fellow attendees also comment on the quantity of models, with a line-up that saw established household names, friends of the brand, and fresh faces merging on the runway. WIth a total of 42 faces, it is the biggest number of models ever to walk one show at Oslo Runway. “We are moving into more genderless collections,” Aagaard notes. “For us, there is no one way to wear Envelope1976.” For example, male and female models alike wore the brand’s signature Monaco trousers with shearling coats thrown over their shoulders. “When it comes to our vision, the clothes we make should also be worn the day after tomorrow and could be worn by everyone.”

Speaking of the clothes, they were quintessentially Envelope. Leather was styled alongside silk slips, sequin mini dresses, and body-hugging velvet. A soft cropped turtleneck knit was styled with a wrap-over leather skirt. All in a stark, monochromatic colour palette of black and white – with the daring addition of a cocooning grey shearling. The details were edgy: snap bolts, metal rings, and big buttons. Chains dangled from belt loops. Silver necklaces dressed up figure-hugging tops. “While creating monochrome pieces, I think it’s all about the details, especially when you don’t have logos,” says Aagaard. “I want our customers to see that the piece is from Envelope1976 without saying it.”

Creating pieces to last for years and bolstering a multi-functional wardrobe, the three coats are all reversible, each giving the wearer “two coats in one,” as Aagaard points out. “When it comes to sequins, we decided to do a limited edition dress made from leftover fabrics since finding sustainable sequins is almost impossible,” she explains.

Discover the full Envelope1976 collection below: