Freja Wesik, in praise of do-it-yourself

‘DIY Queer Craft Couture’ is a homage to the craft of DIY with the purpose of showing how it can be more than just a hobby. “DIY can be a fast remedy to repair something but can also take a lot of time,” they said. From the rapidity of taping a dress to the meticulous production of clay beads, the designer combined different techniques in their collection. The result is a whimsical celebration of craftsmanship.

Freja’s starting point is often themself. “Most of the time I use myself as a model, I am my own muse,” they said. The clothes the Swedish designer creates are a reflection of their inner world. Just like their little self that loved to dress up, to this day Freja still creates to satisfy their need for self-expression. “I make clothes I would like to wear myself and I feel comfortable in,” Freja said.

“I’m scared of not getting that moment where I can say ‘I’m done.’ Waking up the morning after the show and thinking ‘I did it.”

‘DIY Queer Craft Couture’ takes the observer to a playful world full of laced dresses, stuffed skirts, bags and shoes that look like clouds in tints of white, cream and rainbow. However, due to the current health crisis, it’s unsure if Freja’s collection will be showcased. “I’m scared of not getting that moment where I can say ‘I’m done.’ Waking up the morning after the show and thinking ‘I did it.”

The outbreak of the pandemic was both a blessing and a curse for the designer. The sudden change of events made them move from studio to studio, eventually settling in their city of origin. “I miss the calm I had before,” they said, “but working with techniques that can be done at home made me move even more towards DIY.”

Looking back at their experience studying fashion, Freja feels as if all the negative memories had been wiped away. “I haven’t said it out loud yet but I’m pretty pleased with my education,” they said. Despite all the highs that their BA has given them, the Swedish designer admits being ready to wave goodbye to university. “Focusing on my graduate work felt nice, but I am looking forward to doing something different from being a student.”

Glancing at their past self, being almost at the finishing line of their BA, Freja wishes they had followed their guts more. “Since nobody told me, I would like to tell future students not to second guess themselves. I believe that your first idea is usually your best.”

“Fashion takes a lot of time to make and if it doesn’t there’s definitely a problem.”

After five years as a fashion student, the designer learned to appreciate the time it takes to create a garment. Something often forgotten by customers who are always on the hunt for the lowest price. “We have to re-evaluate how we spend on fashion. Fashion takes a lot of time to make and if it doesn’t there’s definitely a problem,” they said when asked what they would change about the industry. Giving garments their right value, teaching people the work that goes into a single piece of clothing, going back to appreciating artisanal elements are themes tied to the designer’s final collection, a fil rouge threaded in everything they create.

The studio Freja now has with their friends soon became their window to the future. Collaborating with other artists is what they have in mind as their next steps. But they also admit to needing some time to think about what they really want and regain some calm. “During the next months, I’d like to take a break and figure out where I’m going.”

Stopping for a while and reflecting on themselves is what Freja longs for at the moment. Going back to their roots to contemplate their journey. “I am not the same person I was when I started studying fashion and I don’t want the same things I wanted back then.”

Wrapped up in a plunge neck mini dress of handmade rainbow beads, Freja says their farewells to the Swedish School of Textiles. Even if the future might look uncertain at the moment, the designer’s love for DIY taught them to cherish every moment of the process, no matter if it’s a quick one-minute fix or endless hours spent rolling beads.