There’s beauty and esotericism in the vacant Nordic landscapes – and no one sheds (industrial) light on them like Sia Arnika.
Coming from a remote area straight into the mess of the city is not for the weak – but Sia Arnika did it best, and she had a blast with it. The artist’s eponymous label was brought to life in 2020, when Arnika approached the Berlin nightlife scene while staying affixed to the hallmark of serene island life. Sia Arnika’s new collection is an ode to the designer’s childhood, her native lands of Mors, Denmark, and its poignant fisherman culture. The traditions of dock workers and their rock-strewn realms are brought into the spotlight with reverence. Titled “Harbour Bitch”, the collection’s geist embodies the mythical fish factory woman the designer recollects from her early days, instilling fear in the island’s children, yet deep desire within its men. It feels like her spirit is winking at us through the earthy, irreverent clothes worn around the scenically curated runway. Arnika created an immersive universe in which the distinct halcyon of childhood can be perceived in all of its details – from the clothes themselves all the way to the curated space of her show in the Berlin warehouse, bringing together foam, sea moss and algae sourced directly by the artist’s parents from the lionised small island.
Just like the transition from the fishers’ island to the metropole, Sia Arnika’s brand boomed into expansion. In 2024, the eclectic fusion ascended to celebrity rank, with artists such as Charli XCX, Rosalía, Christina Aguilera and Ice Spice proudly wearing Sia Arnika’s tag. We’re sure there’s a lot more to come – Berlin’s favourite island girl is on the rise, and we can bet this “Harbour Bitch” is going to haunt everyone for a while.
Images courtesy of the brand
Words by Luna Sferdianu