(Swedish) Wool + (Social) Innovation = Co-creation Fashion on Swedish West Coast
Koldbath’s program is a presentation of how Co-creation has led to the reintegration of crafts into the fashion industry, experienced through a deep connection with self, new environments and each other. A journey of self-value, authentic connection, culture and creativity. Koldbath Craft Kollektiv is a cooperative of foreign-born women exploring co-creation design, traditional Scandinavian craftsmanship and Swedish wool. Koldbath Craft Kollektiv is an ekonomisk förening, which functions to address a need for cultural, creative and economic inclusion amongst under-connected and under-employed women, and the reintegration of craftsmanship into the fashion industry. In doing so, it creates a profitable value chain for both Swedish wool and traditional handicraft skills and promotes the transmission of cultural heritage. The association aims to cultivate meaningful relationships amongst groups of under-connected women through the intercultural exchange of traditional handicraft skills. Koldbath does so by visiting, connecting with and co-creating with various handicraft groups (e.g. hembygdsförening) around Sweden and actively learning from their heritage and skills. Each year Koldbath will release unique on-trend collections, which are a co-creation of Sweden’s newcomers and Sweden’s grandmas, highlighting specific materials and traditional skills. Koldbath creates a safe space for collaboration and creative inclusion through crafts. The association aims to strengthen and provide members’ opportunities for income and work as well as self-worth and self-confidence and participation in society.