The ever consistent Siv Støldal served up an interesting alternative to all the flashy catwalk palaver with her ‘High Visibilty’ presentation yesterday. Ever the individual, she ushered in her SS08 collection with a double whammy of video installation and live performance. Sketch housed part one, a short film following a young man through his day in the capital. Little happens. Our protagonist gets up, smokes a fag on his balcony, drapes himself in some of Siv’s creations then goes for a swim at the Lido. However the stillness and subtlety of it all (accompanied by a brilliant dub tinged soundtrack) was fitting for a designer who quietly impresses season after season. The clothes were an integral part of the film but this was equally just about creating something really beautiful.

Onto bstore for part two, this time the effect was far from laidback, in fact Dorm was just downright creepy. A barely lit 15x10 room, the floor completely covered in water with a wooden foot path and three bunkbeds-here lay four seemingly sleeping young lads. Incredibly eery you couldn’t help thinking you’d just walked into some claustrophobic Brothers Grimm meets Gregory Crewdson nightmare. Hats off to Siv, it was incredibly effective. Proof positive that this is a designer with talents beyond the sewing machine.

So I guess you’re wondering about the clothes? Well you’re not alone. The film offered some glimpses but it was all a bit of a tease. I hear reflective prints, eccentric layering and quirky tailoring are the order of the day-but you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself. More a peek into the mind if the designer than a showcase for their latest offerings, I’m now dying to rifle through the collection instore myself. Perhaps creating a sense of anticipation was the aim. If so, job done.