In conversation with Sophia Bratt
Stylist, set designer and interior designer Sophia Bratt inspires us with her delicate and dramatic images. We like how she works in a somewhat unexpected way with textiles in her pictures. Maybe it has to do with her previous connection to textiles and her work as a milliner? We wanted to know more about Sophia and show pictures from two of her editorial jobs. The first is for Anniversary magazine together with photographer Mike Karlsson Lundgren and the second for the New Era Magazine together with photographer Osman Tahir.
If I allow myself time for the creative process, it will come from within when I create. It is the best feeling to let your emotions guide your way around an idea that has slowly developed.
A: Many of your pictures have an artistic feel and often contain some unexpected element, I see both drama and humor take place. Do you want to tell us a little about how you find inspiration and how you prefer to work?
SB: Thank you, how nicely you describe my job. I enjoy mostly to work when my creativity has a clear line. To have started with a small seed, which may have come from a customer or something I have seen depending on the assignment. Then the seed is allowed to grow and I kind of go into my own bubble for a while. That bubble can be wonderful, and sometimes close to chaotic. At that stage I am looking for inspiration in different contexts, people, objects, art and architecture etc. After that, it starts to clear up to a sharp idea and then it goes pretty fast. If I allow myself time for the creative process, it will come from within when I create. It is the best feeling to let your emotions guide your way around an idea that has slowly developed.
A: How is the collaboration with the photographer and the client?
SB: It looks very different from assignment to assignment. Sometimes it is the client who plants the seed and sometimes they want me to.
The collaboration with the photographer is very important, so that we understand each other’s visions. But it is difficult to answer in general because of the different types of assignments.
A: We have had the honor to be part of some of your photo series with our fabrics. What properties do you think the fabrics have been able to contribute to the pictures?
SB: And I have had the honor of working with your incredibly fine fabrics. Thanks! Above all, it is the plentitude of textures and qualities that you have. Heavy wool fabrics or sheer and light silk fabrics. They are easy to combine with a poetic feeling if you want a smooth feeling, for example, I love your silk/linen fabrics.
A: Is it the image and the assignment that decides what type of fabric you choose or do you have any varieties you like more?
SB: It is the image and the context that sets the kind of materials that are needed. If it is wood and heavier furniture, it is nice with a little smooth and lighter textile.
A: For the pictures in New Era Magazine, you worked with our leftovers in thin linen fabric and created both textile collages and embroidered works, is that something you will continue with?
We would like to see more of your work, it is both inspiring in an artistic way and to encourage the use of resources from an environmental point of view.
SB: I will definitely do more. For TNE, I made quite large wall hangings. I have done some smaller and I have other ideas. I also started with embroideries on larger ones that you will see later when they are ready.
Maybe one of them will be shown at the Astrid showroom at a time 🙂
A: Do you have a dream project? It can be anything, in crafts, styling, interior design, or whatever inspires you a lot.
SB: To have a large sewing studio with a large table. Not really a project but that’s what I’m coming up with for myself. Then there are lots of dreams of course.
Thank you Sophia! Looking forward to following you and hoping for an exhibition with us in the future.