How an unassuming dentist collected one of Sweden’s greatest luxury fashion treasure troves

You don’t typically associate dentists with just-off-the-runway style. Normally they are all green bibs and bespectacled. But this wasn’t the case for one of Sweden’s most prolific fashion collectors, Anna Alexandersson, a dentist by trade, but a fashion lover in her heart.

“Her collection includes iconic handbags, accessories and clothing from runways and collections that are extremely difficult to get hold of… The fact that a Swedish collector has so many rare pieces in a collection is extremely remarkable and unique,” explains Johanna Fock, a fashion specialist at auctioneers Bukowskis.

The treasure trove of finds – which would have undoubtedly been coveted by many in Alexandersson’s time – actually flew under the radar for years, going undiscovered until her passing, when her expansive collection was revealed in all its true extraordinary glory. Among the rows upon rows of clothes, bags and shoes were Prada silk shirts, Chanel shearling coats, along with Louis Vuitton trunks (yes, multiple) and Alaïa skirts – the vast and dedicated years-in-the-making work of a true fashion fanatic.

But who exactly was the woman behind such a breathtaking assemblage? Alexandersson, who began collecting in a serious capacity some 25 years back, was in many ways a fashion historian and curator (be it a privately trained one) all rolled up into one unassuming woman. Her vast and often rare finds stretch from 1990s onwards and through her meticulous and unbridled love of luxury wear, there’s a time capsule to style now nestled in Stockholm, ready for other fashion enthusiasts to revel in.

Only by examining the sheer breadth of this wide collection, and the attention to detail that Alexandersson put into its upkeep, can one begin to understand how much care and dedication went into creating such a trove. “Anna was a woman of integrity who had a great passion for fashion,” details Marcus Nilsson, a fashion specialist at Bukowksis. “We strongly believe she collected for her own sake, from a place out of a genuine interest for design and fashion. She was a structured and passionate woman, with a flair for the beautiful things in life.”

In fact, our very own editor in chief, Martina Bonnier, recalls spotting Alexandersson at fashion industry events in and around the city. Though not directly working in the fashion world herself, it’s clear Alexandersson was eager to be surrounded by those in the know; never showy, but always attentive. “She was very passionate about fashion. She went to fashion events in Stockholm. She read all the fashion magazines,” concurs Robert Rydberg, fashion director at Vogue Scandinavia.

Rummaging through her luxury library, what really shines through every stitch and thread is her pure, unadulterated love for fashion. Her passion was so evident, Fock says, as was her :unique eye she had for finding the most iconic pieces from fashion houses such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Prada, to name just a few.” Some of the standouts (there were many) include a highly rare 2019 white Camelia jacket from Chanel, which is thought to be one of only 10 jackets ever made. And not forgetting of course the exquisite and highly prized pre-fall 2020 Birdcage minaudiere bag, a limited edition number designed by Chanel’s creative director Virginie Viard. The golden three-dimensional evening bag is a thing of eye-watering beauty; the cage door features two little birds, while at the bottom of it sits oval-shaped enamelled blue discs with gold flecks, signifying the bird’s eggs.

There’s also the high neck monogrammed Gucci jacket, with snap buttons and matching hot pants. “These are very legendary. It feels like a Posh Spice jacket when she was dating David Beckham,” says Rydberg. As well as all this, there’s also the fun and kitschy Chanel shopping basket bag, dreamed up by Karl Lagerfeld for the fall/winter 2014 runway collection, with its black lambskin trim fashioned with silver-plated brass accents; another supremely sought-after get and a purchase that would make many of us weep with envy.

What permeates throughout the collection is the idea that through fashion and clothes, one can move beyond your present, traverse country borders and even travel the world – all in your mind’s eye of course. Though she bought her pieces locally in Stockholm, by plucking treasured pieces off the Parisian runway, Alexandersson could meander the streets of the French capital. “I went through all these rails of clothes and there’s so much white, and off-white romantic pieces. It’s not very not Sweden – it must have been her dream of herself,” says Rydberg. “You can see that there is a romantic side of her.”

Alexandersson also knew wholeheartedly what suited her. And when she liked a particular piece, she really liked it – often buying things again and again in alternative colourways, always preserving each and every one of her articles with keen attention. “She had been taking care of it all so meticulously,” explains Rydberg. “She has all the dust bags, the bags from the store, and the card detailing that it's a proper Chanel bag, and the receipt is kept, too. And she also put little paper hangers on everything where she wrote: 'Bought this on this day, from shop attendant Anna.'"

And because of this acute preservation, the value of the items skyrocket. It’s especially crucial in today’s vintage and resale market where proving authenticity is key to the successful sale of an item. “Anna looked after her objects in an exemplary manner and this because she understood the importance of it, looking at the collection as an investment. This is a collection where almost all pieces are in absolute mint condition, which makes it even more attractive to collectors worldwide,” explains Nilsson.

And as the collection is unveiled to the world, we should think back and give a little smile and a nod to the fascinating woman behind the closet doors who left such a style legacy. As Rydberg asserts: “She must have known somehow.”

Anna Alexandersson's pieces will be auctioned online from 15 March until 26th March. Learn more about the collection, auctioned by Bukowskis here.