"Tove’s is a story of evolution and self-acceptance, a subject we explore throughout the magazine": Letter from the editor

Scandinavia – Sweden, in particular – has a rich history when it comes to pop music. It seems every generation has a boundary-breaking Swedish pop star who feels entirely apt for their time, even ahead of their time. For this era, that pop star is Tove Lo. To have her on our cover, wearing Jade Cropper, an explosively popular young Swedish designer who also captures this moment, felt just right.

This issue, we did things a little differently. We invited Tove to contribute a personal piece of writing. What resulted was an intimate poem – a small masterpiece that really moved me. The poem reveals that while Tove is now a fully formed superstar with extraordinary charisma and confidence, she was once a teenager, riddled with common insecurities.

Tove’s is a story of evolution and self-acceptance, a subject we explore throughout the magazine. We feature a handful of thrilling personalities who dare to evolve and explore every facet of themselves and their creativity. Take, for instance, makeup artist Katarina Håkansson, whom I met in the 1990s when she was working for big photographers like Peter Lindberg and Helmut Newton. One of the most inventive people I’ve ever met, Katarina has pivoted into the metaverse, creating digital makeup for avatars.

It isn’t only Swedes making major pop contributions. Norway’s Aurora is a pop star unlike any other – an ethereal, magical individual who is steadfastly true to herself. She and her two sisters, a makeup artist and stylist respectively, have created a singular editorial in their hometown of Bergen. Meanwhile, in Denmark, we find another true individual, model-turned-rockstar Space Idol, who challenges Scandi pop with a punk persona.

Another talent unafraid to embrace an unexpected side of themselves is Danish actor Claes Bang, who was introduced via his star turn in Ruben Ostlund’s The Square and hasn’t slowed down since. At his own suggestion, Claes is photographed by his wife, Lis, wearing women’s couture, designed by his friend, Parisian couturier Ashi. He pulls off the extravagant looks with panache.

On the fashion side of things, we have the season’s most covetable party dresses, portrayed with a cool, devil-may-care attitude. The very nature of dressing up has been reinvented – even the most elaborate looks, not to mention the most decadent high jewellery, can be worn with a sense of effortlessness. We also pay homage to Scandinavia’s obsession with winter whites, with a windswept editorial that highlights the chunky knits and puffers so beloved by us in the Nordics.

At Vogue Scandinavia, we dare to evolve as well. On these pages, we let Tove’s beautiful words stand on their own while on our digital platform, you will find a gorgeously written profile on the musician. It’s another step towards coming into ourselves and developing our universe – a universe which lives beyond the pages of this magazine. A universe which is ever-expanding and ever-evolving.