Ventile partners help to make our brand what it is; taking our premium luxury fabric and turning it into beautiful, technical, functional clothing. For this autumn, we are proud to be able to share the news of the launch of our new partner Streamlines. The Norwegian-based alpine brand blends historic craftsmanship with modern performance without compromising on sustainability.

We caught up with Streamlines founder Martine Eriksen to find out about the new collection and why Ventile was her go-to fabric for the launch of the new brand.

What is the inspiration behind your new collection?

In 1935 my grandparents started a small family business in Oslo, with quality and craftsmanship at its core. Their two sons, alpine pioneers Marius and Stein Eriksen, rose to fame skiing their father`s handcrafted Streamlines skis and wearing iconic knitwear and anoraks designed by their mother. This is the inspiration behind Streamlines. I am inspired by the sporty, elegant style of my grandmother’s designs and I am proud to pass on the family tradition.

How did you get into clothing design?

My parents took over the sports business after my grandparents, and it was clear to me that when the time came, I should take on the business. However as fate would have it, I instead took an internship at Bogner in Munich, fell in love, and lived there for 17 years. On returning to Norway in 2007 with my husband and children, I decided to take up the family tradition and revive the old design from my grandmother. You could say  -  it is in my veins.

What inspires you?

My family's courage, joy of skiing and sense of adventure are the reasons why I started Streamlines. I am inspired by human hands at work, good craftsmanship, wood, the forest, and the mountains. I can be inspired by a timeless watch, by well-designed furniture, or the small details you can touch. I am inspired by people who are driven by passion, who maintain traditions and who work hard – no matter what kind of work they do.

What made you interested in working with Ventile fabric?

In line with our family tradition, superior quality and craftsmanship form the basis of what we do at Streamlines. We do everything we possibly can to reduce the ecological footprint of our brand. In every decision we make, we consider the long-term impact on our people, partners, and the planet. We use mainly natural fibers in our garments and minimize the use of synthetic materials. This was the main reason why we became aware of Ventile fabric. When I read about the history of Ventile, and understood that the fabric was used for RAF pilot suits, I became convinced that Ventile was the right fabric for us. Streamlines is based on family history, and my father, Marius Eriksen, was an RAF fighter ace from 332 Norwegian Squadron. Only 20 years old, he was shot down and landed in the sea outside the Netherlands. He told me something about a suit he was wearing which he thought saved him. I don't know if the suit was made of Ventile fabric, but there was a historical link that made it clear to me that Ventile is our fabric.

Do you have a favourite piece from the collection?

The entire collection is close to my heart. The items are coherent both in terms of shape and colour. I must say that I am very happy with the design of the anorak, which is made from Ventile fabric. I am always proud to present it with all its more or less hidden details. Every detail has a function - that's important to me.

What has been your biggest learning since launching Streamlines?

I thought I was prepared for the fact that it is tough to be a founder as a woman at the age of 55 – but I was not prepared for it to be this tough. When you start as a founder, you work around the clock. As a founder, you have to do most of the work yourself. Everything from negotiating with investors, making budgets and marketing plans, designing products, writing texts, picking up and bringing goods and just making the wheels turn. The most important lesson has been to step out of my comfort zone, constantly break my own boundaries and realize that I am incredibly resilient. Being a founder is a life of constant unpredictability, you just have to throw yourself into the open sea and start swimming. I learn something new every day.

Find out more about the collection and the part Ventile plays here