Soon we will be creeping into the rainy season before spring bursts forth, and rarely can we find a quality rain coat that doesn’t make us look like an extreme sports enthusiast. We need one that works well with a suit.
When we discovered Stutterheim at the (capsule) menswear trade show last year, we were excited to see a refreshing throwback to proper rain wear. Based in Stockholm and inspired by his grandfather, Alexander Stutterheim launched his line of rain coats with a serious intention of not letting added thrills get in the way of a great looking piece of clothing. We spoke to him about his life before rain wear, the appreciation of melancholy and what he is listening to in his studio.
What were you doing before you launched your brand?
I worked as a copywriter for 15 years at an ad agency with clients like SAAB and Electrolux. I became a bit tired of always compromising my ideas and my copy. One day when I was on my way to a meeting, I suddenly noticed that people dressed ugly in the rain. They looked either like they didn’t care (and got soaked) or as if they had just arrived in town from the golf course. It was Gore-Tex all over.
Do you have a fashion background?
No. But I have a really good eye to what looks good or not. In my mind, that is. My mom had a clothing store for 30 years and it was important for her that I looked good even though we didn’t have any money. So I guess the interest and some knowledge comes from her.
We love that you embrace melancholy. American’s would just prescribe a pill for that.
Like you say, it is not depression..;.. it is an uneasiness with the state of things.
Were you uneasy with the state of men’s outerwear?
I haven’t really thought upon it like that. I was actually more uneasy with the throw away mentality, mass production and how things work. The speed! Everything must go faster and faster. Too fast for mankind, I think.
Tell us what we would hear playing in the Stutterheim studio.
Right now I play The Temptations: Just my Imagination, Jennifer Warnes: I Know a Heartache When I See One, Brett Dennen: Ain´t Gonna Lose You, Chet Baker and Sade. A lot of heartbroken melancholic tunes to put me in the right mood. Trying not to be happy because then I can’t work at all.
Do you go fishing in your coat? If so what is your favorite catch?
Actually I just wear mine in town! I still wear my granddad’s coat when fishing out in the archipelago and once and awhile I can get a trout.
Any delicious fish recipe you can share with us?
Not really, just BBQ it on a cliff at sunset with lemon, salt, Chablis and your love.
What is your favorite experience in your rain coat?
Haha, this could get naughty…but ok; my favorite experience is when people ask me where I bought it. And, thankfully, they do that quite regularly.
