Erika Kristensen is a pioneer in both the fields of architecture and fashion. She has worked in both fields for many years, which means she has many varied experiences in both realms. But it’s her design style, which is the source of her popularity. For someone who doesn’t necessarily go for traditional designs, this kind of work doesn’t really speak to them, as much as their personal taste in style and fashion. But Erika’s work is influenced by many different cultures, including works from countries such as Denmark, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, India, Turkey and South America.
So it is this very kind of interplay of cultural influences which characterizes Erika’s designs. Her architecture is not at all ‘dumb’ or ‘flat’, but rather organic, geometric, bold and vibrant. Her clothing designs too, are very distinctively Asian, with elements from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and, of course, Sweden.
But perhaps what is most interesting about her work is that it often plays with the contrasts between the nationalities. A relationship with a Scandinavian national, say, could be characterized as an extension of one’s own national identity; a relationship with a Latin American national could mean a reflection of one’s connection to the West (though this is not always how Erika thinks about it). Or a German would have some national characteristic in common with a Russian, yet be deeply connected to the East thanks to their shared language. But then again, in the case of Erika’s ‘Nordic triangle’ – Eastern, Western and Oriental – there is also a strong connection to the Middle East, Asia and Australia.