Ellen Hodakova Larsson’s fashion brand, Hodakova, disrupts norms by the practice of reworking existing garments. In her recent Paris showcase, “PERFECT” for Spring/Summer 2024 Ready to Wear, Hodakova challenged the conventional pursuit of perfection, inspired by the ideal forms of Plato. This bold approach reaffirms Hodakova’s belief that true perfection prospers within the untraditional luxury garments.
Who is Hodakova?
Founded by Ellen Hodakova Larsson in 2021. Hodakova is a Stockholm, Sweden-based brand that has been recently in the talks.
Not long after finishing her BA degree at The Swedish School of Textiles in 2019, she produced her very first collection “Conventional Collection 1121” for Stockholm Fashion Week. The collection explores the deconstruction of old clothing and making them have a new function. This theme carries on to other collections.
Between Paris and Stockholm, Hodakova Is known to be recruited by SFC (Swedish Fashion Council’s Fashion), which is a fashion industry organisation promoting and educating Swedish creative talents. On a global scale, Larsson has been famously noticed by Vogue, DSM (Dover Street Market), SSENSE, and SHOWstudios. Establishing a successful platform to exhibit her garments.
What makes Hodakova distinctive?
Hodakova works on taking existing garments and reworking them into a new component. Tights can become a skirt and bras into a dress. The form of the garment before it’s been distorted is directly seen and not changed in a way that is not recognisable. The recognisability of the pre-distorted piece allows for a full understanding of the shape of the garment.
Larsson’s way of working can be seen as dissimilar to other fashion houses. In the Interview with SHOWstudios, Larsson suggests that due to their exclusive use of upcycling, Hodakova’s production is much dissimilar from other fashion brands where she does not rely on working from a flat sketch or pattern. She admits, “I’m not fully aware of how other fashion companies operate. It’s advantageous not to be burdened with excessive knowledge when initiating changes within a system.”
There is this sense in Hodakova clothing as if a minute ago you just went into a vintage shop and took a piece you didn’t like too much but saw its potential. Still deciding to purchase it and shape it into your own pattern. Similar to the practice of buying an oversized t-shirt of your favourite music band and hating the length or the cut so you adjust it. Hodakova is your own “vintage piece cutter.” Kindred to the spirit of Martin Margiela, who had a similar essence of deconstruction and the beauty in the imperfection. Deconstruction of the clothes displays the raw concept of clothes making. The seamless interplay between the internal elements of the garment as well as the inclusion of the external parts express the “unfitness”. Making her uniquely suited for a new approach to fashion.
Recent Show: PERFECT
Six Looks from Spring 2024 Ready to Wear. Images from Vogue Runway
In attendance of the show in Hodakov’s recent show in Paris was located in Théâtre of the Eiffel Tower, presented a new collection for Spring/Summer 2024 Ready to Wear. The collection “PERFECT”, pursues the state of perfection contrasted with imperfection. The show conveys the search for an idealised form claimed by Plato, an ancient Greek philosopher, comparing the beauty found in imperfections, and embracing the flawed nature of reality. It questions the worth of chasing perfection when true beauty and authenticity might lie in the imperfect and the unpolished aspects of life.
PERFECT Collection displays the synergy of various textiles and the appearance of the “hidden”. Reversed clothing demonstrating the label or putting bras on direct exposure. The clothing that is used as an ornament or the addition to the main piece is becoming the main piece in Hodakova. In addition, Hodakova uses unconventional everyday components, from metal objects to plastic wrap. The collection highlighted two garments with the use of metal pens. Throughout the show, models would hold or pin their hair up with a metal pen. The use of everyday objects in Hodakov’s collections serves a need to highlight the human failure to pay attention to those objects. Alternatively, the a need to question us as consumers of those objects and what we throw away.
The collection features elements that already have been seen in other collections, such as the belt dress or a bra dress. Exploring the continuous key features that Hodakova is so known for. Keeping her collections not drastically changing from season to season but adjusting a few details.
For the first time, Hodakova’s collection features two menswear looks. Contemplating the potential of a future menswear collection.
In its bold defiance of conventional fashion norms, Hodakova’s essence lies in demonstrating that perfection isn’t confined to excellence; rather, it thrives within the unpolished of the reworked offering a place in the luxury fashion industry.
