She makes clothes about climate change: 'Not here to moralize'

Yulia Kjellsson is redefining fashion through her brand SSON, which specializes in upcycling. Kjellsson transforms discarded garments into unique, high-fashion pieces, emphasizing the aesthetic of the original garment's lifecycle. Her process involves deconstructing old clothing and reconstructing it into entirely new forms, often retaining elements like handles or visible signs of wear to celebrate the material's history.

"The aesthetic is that you see the original garment. We try not to hide that we are working with materials that have already had a life cycle. That's the beauty, to honor it," Kjellsson explains. She believes that giving old clothes a new purpose imbues both the process and the final product with a unique vitality, contrasting it with the perceived flatness of new fabrics.

“

The aesthetic is that you see the original garment. We try not to hide that we are working with materials that have already had a life cycle. That's the beauty, to honor it.

Kjellsson, who has been designing since childhood, dedicates her free time to her craft, often working late into the night. Her Stockholm studio is filled with pieces from past collections and new creations soon to be showcased. She is set to present her work at Copenhagen Fashion Week on August 4th, marking her second appearance in the Danish capital.

“

The combination of high fashion, second-hand, and wearing something unique seems to spark interest.

Since her debut in January, Kjellsson has received the "Future Talent of the Year" award at the Elle Gala and has begun small-scale sales, including in Tokyo. The combination of high fashion, second-hand materials, and unique design is resonating with a growing audience. "The combination of high fashion, second-hand, and wearing something unique seems to spark interest," she notes.

SSON sources most of its materials from second-hand platforms like Sellpy and organizations like the Red Cross. Kjellsson's commitment to environmental consciousness and craftsmanship is the foundation of SSON's upcycling ethos. "For me, it feels logical to work this way. There is so much material we need to utilize. If I am to work in the fashion industry, I want to innovate in a better direction. I want to be able to stand behind what I do with a clear conscience," she states.

“

For me, it feels logical to work this way. There is so much material we need to utilize. If I am to work in the fashion industry, I want to innovate in a better direction. I want to be able to stand behind what I do with a clear conscience.