Frederikke Graumann
What is
“I like your style”?
In this series we ask fashion lovers to share some of their favourite outfits and talk us through what inspires and influences the way they dress and shop.
Each person featured then nominates someone they are inspired by and they then become the next featured in the series - creating a chain of style admiration across the globe.
Frederikke Graumann
was nominated by Amanda
Who is Frederikke?
I am 25 years old and I live in Vesterbro with my boyfriend, Aske. I studied fashion at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen for two years but I didn’t finish the course because I decided the learning environment wasn’t right for me. I work part time at an amazing Italian restaurant Osteria 16 and the rest of my time I work as a design assistant at my mother's brand, Graumann. I also recently became a certified Yoga Teacher and I believe that self development and meditation is the key to a healthy relationship with the self and others.
I love conceptualising and creating universes to tell stories and I'm obsessed with the concept of beautiful and ugly. I am a creative, visual and sentient person.That’s why art, music, films, theatre and nature provide me with such inspiration and joy.
I’m afraid of big birds and I don't like aeroplanes but because I love to travel, I fly anyway.
On bad days I fear myself but on good ones, I feel brave and loved.
I practice using my sensibility and creativity as a force and not as a weakness or fragility.
Follow Frederikke at
@frederikkegraumann
Your favourite Danish designer?
and why
I like the danish brand Carcel. I think their approach to fashion by using a social business model is a new and interesting strategy. I think empowering women in prison so they can provide their families I think is a beautiful idea. I really admire the principles of the brand, they are really transparent and pride themselves on creating sustainable pieces that last.
Best Vintage Store in Copenhagen?
I agree with Amanda, the vintage store Jerome is the best in town.
I actually don't buy a lot of vintage here in Copenhagen, because I go to Paris a couple of times a year with my job, I arrive with almost an empty bag so I can fill it up with vintage and second hand clothing. Sometimes I wear 5 layers going home because I travel with only hand luggage! I always visit the secondhand stores “Kiliwatch” and “Episode”. The standard of second hand and vintage clothing is so much better in Paris and in Milan. If I need a pair of new old jeans I go to “Pisserenden” in Copenhagen, which is a good area for secondhand shopping.
Who most influences
and inspires your style?
My mom. She’s an extremely talented designer and has sewn her own clothing since she was a little girl. Her love for vintage clothing has had a big influence on me and she’s totally the reason why I have such a fascination with clothing. She has collected beautiful items her entire life. All the pieces she has collected throughout her life are now up in her attic. It’s like going to a museum, a library, almost a time machine when you go up there. When I need to get inspired or refresh my wardrobe I go to the attic of her vintage treasures.
I can also get inspired by artists. Recently there was an exhibition with artist Pipilotti Rist at Louisiana. A lot of her art films are so colourful and filled with water and that inspired me to look into tie dye and suddenly I was natural dyeing with vegetables at home in my kitchen. I’m wearing one of the pieces I made on one of the pictures. It’s dyed with beetroot and onion skins.
What do you love
about your style?
I like the fact that I don’t have to try. For me getting dressed feels like brushing teeth or tying my shoes. I guess you can compare it with people who are good at math, I guess some people are just good at getting dressed, people who manage to do both are definitely superhuman! It just feels very natural for me. I’ve never bought a magazine to find out about the latest trends. I observe and am inspired by my surroundings and then I just put on whatever makes me feel good.
How do you think the Scandinavian aesthetic, landscape, surroundings and culture feeds into your own aesthetic?
The changing seasons and layers. I think we are the masters of layering in Scandinavia. We have to wear knitwear, jeans, dresses, jackets, scarfs and beanies and we still look good. From a cultural perspective in Scandinavia we have something called “Janteloven” which pretty much translates to “Don’t think that you are anything special”. Maybe Scandinavian people dress so neutrally color-less because of “Janteloven” sayings. On a positive note it does bring a certain humbleness and politeness into our behaviour and dressing understated and color-less can of course be cool if it makes you feel cool.
Do you think social media has influenced how you shop? and if so how? and do you feel it has affected your style?
Personally I don’t think I’m really affected by other people’s style on social media.
I believe good style comes from within. You can make something cheap look very expensive and something very expensive look cheap if you don’t carry it right. So in the end it’s all about the way you carry yourself, that is how your style and who you are is truly expressed.
Personal style can be about how we want to present ourselves visually to the world - how do you intend for your clothes to present you?
It has to reflect my soul, otherwise I feel clothing becomes superficial. Clothing is our second skin and that’s why I think it’s important to wear something that uplifts you. I intend to wear items which carry a story or a memory. That’s why vintage clothing has the highest sentimental value for me. I believe that we can build an emotional connection to what we wear. Just like we put sentimental value into our jewellery or that one sweater your best friend hand knitted for you.
Your most embarrassing fashion moment to date:
Okay, I will describe it for you. Gucci chain, Burberry shirt, push-up bra, short Mix Sixty denim skirt and I looked like someone who dropped her face into a bowl of foundation...it was those early teenage years.
Your most icon fashion moment to date:
When I was nominated to do this interview. I am very honoured that my good friend Amanda whom I admire so much nominated me as a good-dresser. Those compliments mean the world to me and makes me lift my gaze and give me confidence, so thank you - for this moment.
The best runway show that happened during your lifetime:
I would love to experience any Jacquemus show. To be specific I think his FW20 L'ANNÉE 97” collection is very beautiful. I like Simon’s universe, concepts and aesthetic. His designs are humorist, sexy and elegant all at the same time. I’m sure part of the reason it fascinates me is because it looks like a far cry from cold and grey Scandinavia. Sometimes it really makes me wish that I lived in the South of France, just so I could wear Jacquemus every day.
Images — Frederikke Graumann
