About

Based in Malmö Sweden, and working from the HELGROSE Studio//Store, Birgitta Helmersson makes clothing from recycled materials, up-cycled garments, ethically sourced new fibres and dead stock textiles naturally dyed in-house. Small collections and one off pieces are made utilising techniques that reduce waste. Some pieces are made with zero waste pattern cutting, to avoid waste completely, remnants that are left over from other styles are added into new garments, or are woven into rugs and soft sculpture objects.

Birgitta has worked as a designer, pattern-maker and seamstress for over 15 years, working within both costume and fashion. Starting her career as a maker in Perth, Western Australia, she spent her early years building her skills as a tailor and seamstress working in a clothing alterations business on high end ready to wear and couture garments. After moving to Melbourne in 2007 she worked as a costume cutter, making made to measure pieces for musical theatre and circus performers, and as an assistant designer for local label Obus. After her daughter was born in 2012 she began her own studio, working on her self titled label and on-going contract work for local Melbourne creatives.

Previously based in Melbourne Australia, the label was founded in 2013, with a studio//store in Collingwood between 2016-2018. Birgitta packed up the business to reconnect with her Swedish roots and re-locate to Malmö with her family in early 2018. Alongside her own practice Birgitta is now working on a new project, with partner Sam Grose, combining their last names to form Helgrose, a clothing brand making unisex workwear inspired ranges from GOTS certified organic cotton, made in-house in Malmö Sweden with a Zero Waste Production Model.

The Helgose Studio//Store is home to both the Helgrose and Birgitta Helmersson labels and operates as a retail space, as well as a manufacturing and design studio. To follow the story and keep up to date with the news head to... 

Photo: Rachel Manns