THE NORDIC FASHION BIENNALE IS COMING TO BALLARD

Excitement is brimming here at Blackbird as the 2011 Nordic Fashion Biennale draws nearer. This six-week long exhibition of jewelry, fashion, design and innovation from the Nordic Nations is making its first visit to American soil, and has quite rightly chosen the Nordic Heritage Museum here in Ballard as its HQ.

The NFB begins September 30th with a two-day Fashion Summit, to be moderated by Blackbird’s owner and creative mastermind, Nicole Miller. The Summit will focus on the themes of slow fashion, sustainability, and cultural heritage, and will feature presentations by Julia Edel Hardenberg, Steinunn Sigurðardóttir, Orlando Palacios, Yvan Mispelaere, and many more. The Summit will close with a performance by Blackbird favorite, Henrik Vibskov. Needless to say, this is an event that must be added to your calendar.

In addition to the Fashion Summit, the NFB features an exhibit curated by New York-based Icelandic artist Hrafnhildur Arnardottir, aka Shoplifter, known for her collaboration with Björk, and commisioned work at MOMA. The exhibit will feature top designers from the Nordic Nations, and will blend past, present and future throughout the museum, demonstrating the importance of heritage and culture as influence. A full list of designers is here.

Other highlights include NxNW, a fashion competition meant to inspire creativity and awareness among new designers; Reykjavik Calling, a showcase of musicians from Seattle and her Icelandic Sister City; and a street-fashion slide-show from the Nordic Capitals.

More information available at the NFB's website, or stop by Blackbird and The Field House to get all the details.