Hope is a Swedish fashion label created and run by the designers Ann Ringstrand and Stefan Söderberg. The first men's collection was launched in 2005. It all begun as a creative discussion between the two friends who both are passionate and extremely interested in well-made utilitywear. Hope embraced the Swedish heritage. The design duo was inspired by the Northern raw ambience. The classic off-white Army winter parka and the hooded Death character in the Ingmar Bergman film 'The seventh seal' were founding inspirations. The setting around the collection was the barren landscape of Fårö, Gotland. The mood was crude and crisp like a winter day at a snowy beach. By sourcing back to Bergman's own inspiration for the film, Ann Ringstrand and Stefan Söderberg discovered the church paintings by Albertus Pictor from the early 15th century, which influenced ornament prints. The chess pattern was also present on knits as well as in patch constructions in coats, blazers and trousers. For the fashion conscious consumer... but Hope has the ambition to supply long lasting design that is valid over seasons and years.
