Klättermusen’s First Collaboration With Britta Marakatt-Labba Paints a Vibrant Picture of Nordic Communities
The legendary Scandinavian artist discusses her humble family-oriented upbringing, how art impacted her childhood, and her debut collaboration with Swedish brand Klättermusen.
Swedish mountaineering brand Klättermusen holds history like few others in the game.
Founded by a pioneering group of outdoor explorers in 1975, Klättermusen started out as a small workshop to create DIY equipment that served the needs of climbers on-hill. In the five years that followed, the brand expanded its outlook and established itself as a ruthless competitor in the activewear space.
Since its establishment, Klättermusen has provided international climbers with safety gear that gives flexibility and comfort while in motion. The brand encourages athletes to keep adventure at the forefront, never slowing down, no matter the condition. Following its lengthy history and expertise in expedition, Klättermusen is now exploring new ground with a debut collaboration alongside renowned Nordic artist Britta Marakatt-Labba on a creative line-up of unisex garments.
Klättermusen
Klättermusen
Klättermusen
Klättermusen
Klättermusen
Klättermusen
Britta Marakatt-Labba is a Swedish textile artist birthed from a long line of Scandinavian reindeer herders and takes inspiration from her indigenous roots to create nature-inspired artworks that reside across the globe. “I started to sketch and make art when I was a child. I was sketching all of the time and was very young when I decided to pursue art as a career,” she explained to Hypebeast, at the brand’s Spring/Summer 2023 showcase in Oslo. “When I started, I wanted to tell stories about my culture. Storytelling is a big part of Sámi culture, and my family told me a lot of stories around the fireplace when I moved to Norway as a child.”
Marakatt-Labba absorbed these intricate tales with open ears and reflects every detail in her present craft. “I got my art from my mother’s milk,” she says with a chuckle, “there were powerful ladies in our culture that wore horn-shaped hats. These hats were forbidden in my village because the leaders thought they looked like the devil’s horn.” Across the collaboration, Britta turns the hats around to reflect her people’s innovative cultural approach. Petite figures are embroidered across insulating T-shirts, long sleeves, and crewnecks, surrounded by blooming florals and contemporary drums native to Norway.
Klättermusen
Klättermusen
Klättermusen
Marakatt-Labba grew fond of Klättermusen throughout her career, appreciating the brand’s sustainable approach to design – while the Klättermusen team found an ideal partner in the artist, who represented their community-led values through a cultural lens. The collaboration made perfect sense, and Britta instantly accepted the opportunity to work together.
The duo shares a love for craftsmanship, sustainability, and respect for nature while keeping local traditions alive through creativity. “I began to sketch the flowers that grow in our mountains. These plants have been very important to us Sámis, because we use them for medical reasons. We picked elements of nature that were good for us and healthy for our bodies,” Marakatt-Labba says.
Screen-printed nylon jackets boast illustrative versions of the Northern Lights, which can be seen from Britta’s home during certain times of the year. The artist hopes to bring a sense of “sunshine” to collaboration, translating a heartwarming feeling to wearers globally. “When people see my art in galleries, many would like to own one, but they might think that it’s too expensive, but now they can carry it with them closely and get to have a part of myself with them.”
The Klättermusen x Britta Marakatt-Labba collaboration is available to shop now via Klättermusen’s online store.
Elsewhere, Deyaz highlights his unique musical experience in Dr. Martens’ Summer 2023 campaign.
