The capsule collection includes silk shawls, bespoke jewellery and a hand-crafted patinated steel mirror handcrafted in the UK, drawing inspiration from Munch’s fluid brush strokes and organic shapes
Photography by Signe Luksengard, courtesy of MUNCH
Words by Jessica-Christin Hametner
When Rejina Pyo established her eponymous label in 2013, her offbeat designs and artistic expressions garnered her a cult following around the globe. With fluid silhouettes and bold, feel-good colours, her pieces embody unexpected details and graphic juxtapositions that capture the designer’s ingenuity.
Now, a new collaboration between Oslo’s MUNCH Museum and Pyo illustrates her love of abstract art and desire to create pieces that defy the traditional boundaries of fashion. Launched earlier this month, MUNCH Museum enlisted the London-based fashion designer to transport the sombre works of Edvard Munch from canvas to clothing, collectibles and beyond.
Unveiled in London alongside Edvard Munch Portraits, a major exhibition which opened at the National Portrait Gallery on March 13, the capsule collection nods to Pyo’s signature style and Munch’s evocative paintings, the latter of which often explore psychological themes expressed through dark, rich pigments.
Photography by Signe Luksengard, courtesy of MUNCH
His style, characterised by bold colours and emotional intensity, is most notably exemplified in The Scream, which helped lay the groundwork for modern Expressionism, an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century. Munch’s use of colour was integral to the emotional impact of his art as he used colour not to depict the natural world but to symbolise feelings and inner states.
These concepts formed the basis for the collection with Rejina Pyo. ‘When I first started researching Munch’s work, I was immediately drawn to a particular piece that felt almost unfinished – cut in a way that made it seem fragile and intimate,’ shares Pyo of what inspired her most recent work with the MUNCH Museum.
‘There was something deeply personal about seeing a work in that state, almost like looking into his mind, witnessing his process rather than just the finished result. That sense of rawness, of leaving space for imperfection, really informed the way I approached this collection,’ Pyo continues. ‘I wanted to embrace that same vulnerability and expressive energy in the designs.’
Photography by Signe Luksengard, courtesy of MUNCH
Among the items, beautifully crafted silk shawls come in two unique prints designed by Pyo. The Norwegian artist’s distinctive colour-blocking woodwork technique inspired these designs. This puzzle method allowed for striking contrasts and varied colour applications, giving his prints a layered, almost painterly effect that echoes the emotional intensity of his paintings.
‘One of the most fascinating discoveries was his jigsaw woodcut printing technique,’ shares Pyo of her visit to the MUNCH Museum archives, which gave her a deeper understanding of his life and artistic practice. ‘Traditionally, woodcut prints are layered, but Munch developed a way of cutting shapes into a single panel, allowing them to be printed all at once.’
‘It was such a pioneering method, and I was inspired to bring that same innovative spirit into our collection,’ she continues. ‘We translated this technique into the jewellery and scarf prints – exploring layered compositions and cut-out forms that echo Munch’s experimental approach to his art.’ The result is a contemporary series of objects that marry Pyo’s sharp eye and Munch’s expressive art.
Photography by Signe Luksengard, courtesy of MUNCH
Drawing inspiration from Munch’s fluid brush strokes, organic shapes and the framing seen in his self-portraits, Pyo reimagined his characteristic, experimental style in other pieces of the collection, such as a limited-edition patinated steel mirror, handcrafted in the UK, and bringing a sculptural quality to the range.
‘What I truly appreciate about this collaboration is Pyo’s ability to translate Munch’s artistry into fashion,’ says Tone Hansen, director of MUNCH, of what she hopes people will take away from the collection. ‘It not only brings greater awareness to this aspect of Munch’s remarkable work, but also reinterprets it in a fresh and exciting way.’
As the home of the world’s largest collection of works by Edvard Munch, the museum houses more than 26,000 works that Edvard Munch bequeathed to the City of Oslo before his death. Tracing the artist’s influence on both modern art and contemporary artists working today, the collaboration with Pyo shows the ways fashion can challenge traditional boundaries between disciplines.
Photography by Signe Luksengard, courtesy of MUNCH
‘We have been closely following Rejina Pyo’s work, and her approach – and its crossover between fashion and art – was a perfect match,’ adds Hansen. ‘This exciting collaboration offers a fresh, contemporary perspective on Munch’s influence on artists and designers. Fashion expands the definition of art, making art more immersive, accessible and reflective of contemporary culture. These types of collaborations invite new perspectives and encourage interdisciplinary conversations.’
Offering a modern interpretation of Munch’s acclaimed portraits, the collection captures the imagination and provokes a deeper dialogue between fashion and art. With an interplay between colour and material, Pyo’s designs beautifully complement the Norwegian artist’s work to leave a lasting impression. ‘Munch was a pioneer – he constantly tested new techniques, pushed boundaries and refused to conform,’ says Pyo. ‘That spirit really resonates with how we approach design at Rejina Pyo.’
The collection doesn’t just visually reference Munch’s work, Pyo explains, but it aims to capture his emotion and way of seeing the world. ‘We don’t follow traditional fashion industry norms; instead, we focus on creating pieces that feel personal, authentic and intentional,’ Pyo continues. ‘Fashion, like art, has the power to evoke feelings and create connections, and I hope these pieces allow people to experience Munch’s legacy in a new, tactile way.’
The new collection is available now at the National Portrait Gallery, Rejina Pyo’s Soho store and at the MUNCH museum
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