Tags
CRAFTSMANSHIP, ECO FRIENDLY FASHION, KNITWEAR, NORWAY, OLEANA, RESPONSIBLE FASHION, SOLVEIG HISDAL, sustainable, TEXTILE DESIGN
By Sass Brown, NYC Editor
Founded in 1992, Oleana was created to bring coveted textile industry jobs back to Norway at a time when most European brands had moved production off shore. With the intent to prove that domestic production was still possible in a high cost country, the brand produce a womenswear collection of complex and patterned knitwear made from wool and silk, and other natural fibers. Beautiful repeat florals and stylized floral patterns, stripe and geometrics proliferate throughout the collection in a multi color sophisticated color palette. Simple silhouettes covered in riotous patterns are reminiscent of Kaffe Fassett, with a Nordic twist.
Knitted on ultra-modern hi-tech machines, Oleana focus on design, quality and flexibility, produced responsibly. Working with skilled hands, the brand identity is rooted between cutting edge industrial methods and fine craftsmanship, placing a great emphasis on the professional and social environment, and an understanding of the proud tradition of Nordic knitwear of which they are part. Each year the brand close the factory for a few days to take a study trip, whether at home or abroad, to learn and see what other textile people are working on.
Designed by Solveig Hisdal, the brand has won a multitude of awards, including the Scheiblers Honorary Award from the Norwegian Design Council, and the coveted Jacob Prize, Norway‘s most prestigious award for design. Hisdal is regarded as one of the best textile designers in Norway, renowned for her colorful and well-developed sense of ornamentation and shape. With a background in graphic design, art and fashion design, the talented Creative Director also oversees the photography for the catalogue. Oleana‘s ambition is to make beautiful clothing of high quality that people love to wear, with respect and honor to their homeland’s heritage while honoring the environment.
IMAGES COURTESY OF OLEANA.
Only two blocks away from town Holbox, this little eco hotel blew me away the minute we walked through its doors and were welcomed by neon color hammocks among the palm trees, swing beds on the beach, and a bedroom with a balcony big enough to fit a hammock and a breakfast area for two (rustic wood table and chairs) yet small enough to give it its coziness, and a bar and restaurant that showed every bright color in the Mayan culture. Absolutely stunning. Raw details in every corner, vegetarian and vegan food options, and the most delicious blueberry daiquiris. Heaven.
Day two started with a delicious breakfast at Mawimbi. Oatmeal, fresh pineapple juice, cappuccino with soy milk, and bread with homemade papaya jelly. All this served on beautiful Mexican tableware, while sitting next to the ocean and sinking our feet on the sand. After breakfast we decided to skip the beach and head to the animal shelter everyone at the hotel had been talking about, 
Day three was something out of this world. We woke up at 6 am, did a 30-min yoga session on the beach, had breakfast and then headed out to meet our captain and tour guide to go swim with a beautiful seven meter whale shark. The tour started at 7am with us meeting at the nearest boat docking area (two blocks away from the hotel) and after a 40-60 minute boat ride found ourselves right next to the biggest animal I’ve ever seen. The water was extremely calm, the sun was shining bright, and dozens of jellyfishes were swimming next to the whale shark. It was like a scene taken out of a movie. Unforgettable. Even though our boat was carrying eight people, only two at a time were allowed to swim with the shark, none of us were allowed to touch it, and everyone was required to use eco-friendly biodegradable sunblock only. I’m not going to lie, all those rules (Mexican federal law) put a huge smile on my face, because they show how far Mexico goes to protect nature and its animals. From there, the captain took us to an island within Yum Balam to rest, swim in clear blue waters with fishes that looked like baby sharks, enjoy a ceviche the captain prepared for everyone on the boat before heading back to Holbox.
On our fourth and final day, we woke up early to have a delicious breakfast at the hotel, say goodbye to Onnie and all the staff, and head back to Chiquila to pick up our car to drive to Cancun. On the way we made a quick stop in Solferino to pay the Millennium Tree a visit. This tree is over 1000 years old, 35 meters tall and full of an indescribable energy. Very much worth the stop!
Saturday was one of those magical days for an Editor; a spontaneous shoot with beautiful, renowned actress, Maggie Grace, globally respected eco couturier, Jeff Garner, talented celebrity photographer, Emma Dunlavey, and a dream glam team, set amongst horses, goats and chickens at a horse property in the wilds of Malibu. 
Grace is one of those rare celebrities that is unaffected, engaging, and grounded. She loves Mother Nature, getting really excited when offered the opportunity to take photos with a chicken and get down in the dirt with the goats, and is a a self-confessed obsessive when it comes to TV period dramas. “My family and I watch every English period drama,” she enthusiastically muses.
Ever since launch, 
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Argentinean cooking is having a huge resurgence right now, for a multitude of reasons. For one, it is inherently healthy incorporating plenty of veggies and fresh, local, and organic produce. Another staple of Argentinean food is beef; in fact, it is estimated that Argentines eat close to 150 pounds of beef per person, per year because their cattle is of the highest quality. Beef is always grass-fed and free-range, which is becoming increasingly valued in the United States. Argentina also has the largest Malbec acreage in the world, as seen in the varietal’s popularity during the last decade. Now Argentinian food and wine are becoming so favored, restaurants such as 
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Today, the genuine Argentinean grill has three locations in California: Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Toluca Lake. The chain is popular because of its authentic cuisine, from grilled meats and seafoods, to old favorites such as paella, which are all served in an elegant ambiance.
Sarah Gibson Tuttle is a powerhouse businesswoman and mother who founded 
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The salon has gained world-wide recognition by being featured in publications such as Vogue, Allure, InStyle, and Elle, and has maintained a loyal clientele of celebrities, stylists, editors, friends, and family. 
There are many places to explore when in Dubai including taking a stroll at the 
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