Color and Sexiness Take Center Stage in Sia Arnika’s Latest Collection
When you think of Berlin’s long winters, color and sexiness are not usually the first things that come to mind. However, Danish designer Sia Arnika is here to change that. In a large production hall on the outskirts of Berlin, Arnika unveiled her latest collection that is full of bare legs, high heels, popping colors, and fun, which felt like a natural progression from her previous summer collection that leaned more towards clubwear.
Arnika drew inspiration from a memory of a woman from her island upbringing on Mors, an island with a population of 20,000. “I have this memory of a woman from my island, this factory worker,” Arnika explained. “She is this fierce lady, a little bit run-down, but there is something quite mysterious about her. This memory turned into a fantasy of this harbor bitch, as I call her. She is a force of nature; the kids are warned about her, and the men can’t help but lust after her.”
The collection, aptly named “Harbor Bitch,” featured knits in the form of super fluffy dresses, shawls, cardigan dresses, and hooded zip bodysuits. Arnika played with deconstruction and volumes, showcasing voluminous bomber-windbreakers, mini shorts with bulky balloon pockets, mesh tops and panties with curvy wire hems, and corsets with deconstructed shirts or polo shirts on the front. Polos are a signature of Arnika’s, and various interpretations were seen in the collection, including a dress and yellow body with a polo collar and extremely dropped sleeves.
The standout piece of the collection was the curvy heeled clogs created in collaboration with shoe designer Philipp Kern. These quirky Nordic-inspired clogs posed a challenge for the models, especially with the fantastic stage design by Tor Studios, featuring water, nets, and seaweed brought from Denmark by Arnika’s parents. Additionally, Arnika partnered with Ebay to upcycle preloved garments, showcasing her commitment to sustainability. “I sometimes think it’s nice to have a limitation; see what you have got and where you can go from there,” Arnika commented.
Overall, Arnika’s latest collection was a bold and vibrant display of color and sexiness, perfectly encapsulating the essence of the “Harbor Bitch” persona. Through her unique designs and innovative collaborations, Arnika continues to push boundaries and redefine fashion in Berlin’s ever-evolving landscape.
