Icelandic fashion designer Steinunn Sigurdardóttir has been chosen to receive the Swedish Söderberg Prize this year, SEK 1 million (USD 137,000, EUR 101,000); one of the largest design prizes in the world.
The jury concluded that Sigurdardóttir has become a respected representative of the Nordic countries in the international fashion arena with her designs inspired by Icelandic nature, Fréttabladid reports.
“It is incredibly nice that the prize should go to an Icelander. The way I look at the prize has changed after the events of the past months,” Sigurdardóttir said.
“I feel like the prize brings great hope and reminds us that we should not give up. I think it is of great importance that we emphasize innovation in Iceland more and this prize is a good example of that,” the designer added.
Sigurdardóttir is currently working on her new collection, which will be ready in February. She said the prize money comes at a good time because her company has unavoidably been hit by the economic crisis.
“Fewer people buy clothing from new designers. People have lower purchasing power and […], but one just has to carry on and hope for the best,” the designer concluded.
Sigurdardóttir will accept the Söderberg Prize at a special ceremony in the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg, November 4.
Steinunn Sigurdardóttir is featured in the 2008 summer issue of Iceland Review – IR 46.02 in an interview, “Knitting Lava,” by Tobias Munthe. Click here to read more about the current issue and here to subscribe to the magazine.
