Scan Magazine | Design | Made in Norway
Not only are Mole’s clothes pretty, they are also pure, sustainable and comfortable for the children. Below: Designer and founder of Mole, Hanne Synnøve Koløy.
A national romantic woollen success Rooted in childhood memories and the ‘grandparent feeling’, the Norwegian designer Hanne Synnøve Koløy and her brand Mole, Little Norway are taking the world by storm. Her beautiful, ethical wool collections are now warming up youngsters from Norway to Japan. By Celine Normann | Photos: Geir Gismervik
“It is incredible how people have taken Mole to heart. I think it comes down to our vision of creating clothes that are amazingly comfortable, while at the same time look fashionable and nice,” says Koløy.
Sustainable and pure The brand first saw the light of day four years ago when Koløy noticed a gap in the market. “I was looking for clothes for my own children but could not quite
find what I was looking for, so I decided to make it myself,” she says. The actual inspiration for her idea might have been a lack of options on the high street, but her visions could not have been further from sheer commerciality. “The essence of Mole is ethical. I am very focused on sustainability and the environment and wanted to produce clothes that are pure, natural and of high quality. In addition, the comfort level has to be second to none, especially as I am designing for children.”
The ‘grandparent feeling’ With this in mind Koløy started designing clothes for newborns to 12-year-olds using only organic wool. Her inspiration? Also natural, loving and pure, of course. “I find inspiration from my childhood memories, thinking back to the days when my grandparents taught me knitting and sewing. I think most people can relate to that feeling of security and love your grandparents provided. For me 16 | Issue 83 | December 2015
these memories, combined with nature, fairy tales and Norwegian traditions, are the best inspiration and are consequently evident in my design, from patterns and colours to cuts and fine details,” she says.
International woollen wave Koløy’s sincere approach is clearly successful, judging by Mole’s rocketing, rapid worldwide expansion, now delivering to places including Scandinavia, Germany, the USA and Italy, and all the way to Japan. With humble pride, the designer explains why she thinks that is. “Mole offers products different to those of mass production, with a recognisable, almost national romantic, charm. While woollen children’s clothes might never be über modern, we must be doing something right since fashion bloggers and experts are talking about Mole as a trending brand. I guess you could say Mole delivers old-fashion traditions in a new and trendy package, something people seem to literally be warming up to.”
For more information, please visit: www.mole.no