Swedish Fashion 1930–1960 : Rethinking the Swedish Textile and Clothing Industry

What was Swedish fashion like between 1930 and 1960, a period when Sweden was associated with its political achievements and welfare reforms, its neutral standpoint during World War II, as well as a strong economic growth? Swedish Fashion 1930–1960: Rethinking the Swedish Textile and Clothing Industry explores the development of the Swedish textile and clothing industry from the wider perspective of fashion production between 1930 and 1960. What is new in this study is that the textile and clothing industry is considered as part of a fashion industry that initiates three central aspects of fashion production: clothing production, symbolic production, and the production of a national fashion. The cover illustration represents the findings of this study, as it reflects that the main garment category according to Swedish official statistics prior to the mid-1950s was wool coats. Tailored outerwear became the hallmark of Swedish fashion identity associated with an everyday wear style. These particular coats were made by Béve who, like many other Swedish manufacturing firms in the post-war period, was cooperating with French fashion houses. Ulrika Kyaga holds a BA in Business Administration and Economics from Karlstad University, and a MA in Fashion Studies from Stockholm University. Her working experience includes ten years of communication for fashion and lifestyle brands. This thesis is a Doctoral Thesis in Fashion Studies at Stockholm University, Sweden 2017