Livstycket: Empowering women through fashion

Livstycket, a non-profit organisation that empowers Sweden’s refugee women by teaching fashion and design, was invited to showcase their activities in London on Wednesday 10th June 2015. Hosted by The Ambassador of Sweden Ms Nicola Clase at her residence, guests from British arts and cultural organisations were invited to participate in a roundtable to share experiences, skills and knowledge with the founder of Livstycket, Birgitta Notlof and her team.

Founded in 1992, Livstycket started by offering immigrant women (many of them refugees) the chance to learn Swedish. Today, it is a modern knowledge and design centre in Tensta, a suburb of Stockholm, offering a range of handicraft activities including sewing, embroidery and textile printing with aim of helping integrate newcomers into Swedish society.

The eponymous garment, the Livstycket (a bodic) represents not only the activities of the organisation but also the journey that many of its participants go through. From initially feeling lost and isolated to eventually building a stronger backbone (like that in the bodice) so that they are empowered to hold themselves up with greater confidence.

“Livstycket (The Bodice) as a symbol evokes warmth and support,” explained Birgitta Notlof, “For centuries, people, mainly women and children have worn this garment next to their skin. In time it has for us become a symbol of women’s solidarity, power, desire and knowledge. The is why the pattern has become our trademark. The goal of our activities is that participants move from exclusion and welfare dependency to self-sufficiency and rediscovered self-esteem”.

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Livstycket - The whole world in one bag

Among the most poignant case studies is that of “The Whole World in one bag” project which describes how flight from war and insecurity often begins with just one small bag. Which parts of a previous, often long life, are to be brought and which are left behind? Many arrive in Sweden with just one small bag. Livstycket asked many of the newcomers to tell the story of their departure by drawing their own small bag. Memories of the last hurried packing join memories of first arriving in Sweden. Leaving and arriving with one small bag in one design from Livstycket. The pattern from this project has become an iconic for the organisation.

Livstycket uses functional pedagogy that combines theoretical teaching in Swedish with practical activities. “Scissors, thread and fabric are merely words until they get a true meaning by actually using them to sew a garment”, added Birgitta. The organisation has produced a book to help participants learn and it manufactures and sells its merchandise in its shop and online at www.livstycket.se