Hovden Formal Farm Wear - BLOG

We are proud to announce the Hovden Art Project, where artists create one or more pieces of art that encompasses Hovden and the busserull shirts past and/or present. Who else loves this idea? 

The first artist is Susan Hannen, who has been a Hovden fan and follower since the first year Hovden was in business. She found Hovden on Pinterest. She is located in Buffalo, NY and her medium is collage. 

I saw some of the historic collages that Susan had made, and fell in love. There are so many layers of history and story telling in her art. It was a perfect match for Hovden and I love what she created! It represents exactly what Hovden is trying to do. It is bridging the gap between the present and the past in a beautiful way. 

"I really wanted it to reflect the simple elegance, historical significance, and utility of the shirts."    Susan Hannen

About Susan Hannen 

"I became interested in making collages when I taught poetry as a teaching artist in a long-term residency at the Native American Magnet School in Buffalo, New York. When working with the students I saw the power that making images brought to the writing experience, how making collages to illustrate their poems created a new excitement and enthusiasm for the written word.

After that, though I'd never thought of myself as a visual artist, I began to collect vintage images from books and scour estate sales for old photograph albums. I'd spend hours just shifting images around until something clicked and they fell into place like puzzle pieces.

For me, making collages is a meditative activity, one in which I can lose myself completely. It feels very much like play - like when you become so deeply engaged in something that time and place simply fall away."

Follow Susan on Instagram @susan_hannen 

I have printed this art as postcards, so if you would like me to send you a post card, send your address to hovdenffw@gmail.com

A farm wedding calls for farm shirts, right?! The Massey-Flinn wedding looks stunning! Hovden is proud to have 'been there' on such an important day in the life of this beautiful couple. Congratulation! And thank you for sharing these special photos. 

Thank you to the Massey-Flinn family and photographer Nayoung Wilson for letting Hovden post the photos! 

The highlight of the year! Hovden shirts on the runway!! Alley33 was such a fun fashion show to be part of. Hovden was one of 19 Portland apparel brands represented. Check out the Hovden looks her:

Thank you Alley33 and Beth Olson for awesome photos! And thank you to these beautiful models who ROCKED the Hovden shirts! 

Read the latest Hovden Newsletter: HOVDEN SHIRTIS IN A NEW LIGHT. And don't forget to sign up for the Hovden newsletter. I send one about once a month. 

Here is a preview from the Newsletter. Yes!! New shirts in the SHOP!! 

I'm proud to be part of this pop-up shopping event! I hope some of you who live in Portland will make it! There are going to be a lot of beautiful things and talented makers there!!  Save the date! Sept 19th 12-4pm!

Tell your friends about it!

Recently I got to know John Fish, a versatile artist and maker, passionate about history. His newly opened store, This is Folklore, on NE Killingsworth, Portland, takes you back in time! Historical artifacts, hand-made leather goods and hats, made by John, are displayed side-by-side. The space, light, smell and Johns great personality, all make a visit to this shop (or is it a museum?) truly an unique experience. 

Many stories could be told here, but what caught our attention was his passion for hat-making. My friend, photographer Stine K Nash, couldn't help herself. She had to document this with her camera. Here is a little peak.. you can see more photos under Lookbook. And you can read an interview with John on Stine's blog 

https://applepieandbrowncheese.wordpress.com/2015/06/18/this-is-folklore-john-fish/

Follow John on Instagram @thisisfolklore

Photos:  www.steenaphotography.squarespace.com

With John's passion for all things old.. He is a big fan of the historic Hovden shirts and has them, on display and for sale in his store. And Hovden is always excited when a Maker uses the Hovden shirt as a work shirt. Just like, back in the day! 

My daughter and I ready for 17. mai celebrations at the Norse Hall in Portland, Or. We are both wearing our 'bunad', the traditional Norwegian costume. Mine is from the Vest-Telemark region of Norway. My grandma, 'Gomo' made mine, for herself, during World War 2. There was no colored yarn to buy during the war so she plant-dyed the yarn for the embroidery (Which unfortunately is not showing in this photo). One day, Leona, my daughter will wear my bunad. And hopefully one day, her daughter will wear it.  

Marius and Mats Eggen, celebrating 17. mai in Vingelen, Norway. Marius in his bunad and Mats in his brand new busserull from Hovden : ) One day Mats, you will be wearing your dads bunad and your son or daughter will be wearing your busserull!! When that happens, please send me a photo!! 

More press! We couldn't be happier to hear that people want to write about Hovden and that, hopefully, people will read about Hovden! Slowdesign.no recently interviewed Hovden and put together a beautiful feature on us!!

About Slowdesign.no:

Slow Design is primarily a way of thinking. Through a Slow approach to design and communication, I want to promote reflection and a more conscious approach to how the everyday choices you take has consequences, for oneself and others, – today and in the future.

Hovden couldn't agree more and tries to live by these principles! So we are proud to be featured in this wonderful blog.

Here are some of the questions asked in the interview.. but you will have to read the answers + more on 

http://slowdesign.no/en/2015/05/02/hovden-formal-farm-wear/

The beautiful pictures on your website seems very authentic and express an “essence of Norway” – what’s the story behind those?

It’s exciting that you have taken the concept with you from Norway to the US, how are the Busserulls received in the United States?

The starting of an own business is a lot of hard work to little or no income. It is also risky. What is your «secret force?»

Thank you Slowdesign.no for the LOVE!! You make Hovden look great!