It took two Norwegians to learn New Yorkers to dress in wool. In 2007 Cathrine Wessel and Stian Tolnæs moved to New York to change the way people think about wool by creating a collection entirely made out of high quality wool. 100% wool – Norweguan cool.
Today their company, With & Wessel’s, supplies New Yorkers with a Nordic dream of soft wool, loose fit, hues of seasonal colors, layering and nature prints . It is the ultimate fashion choice for an eco-conscious lifestyle – and so comfortable to wear.
Wool reflects our modern lifestyles by adapting to different temperatures and climates – better than cotton and synthetic fibers. Wool quickly absorbs up to 30% of its weight in moisture from the body, keeping the body warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.
The New York based company is building bits core values on Norwegian traditions combined with fashionable function and sustainability. Creating a collection of effortlessly cool styles in ultra-thin, super-soft, 100% wool fabrics has so far been a success for the brand.
Since wool is partly composed of protein, it is odor-absorbent and anti-bacterial. Wool is by its nature one of the world’s most eco-friendly fibers: it is natural, renewable, and biodegradable.
Stian Tolnæs is from Oslo and was marketing director at the Norwegian ski wax producer Swix.
Cathrine Wessel grew up in Lier and Bærum outside Oslo. She studied photojournalism at the ICP in New York and has photographed for among others Esquire, Rolling Stone Magazine, Nike, Adidas, Marie Claire and Conde Nast Traveler. Today she is photographer and Creative Director for With & Wessel.
All photos: Cathrine Wessel
100% Wool – Norwegian Cool, written by Tor Kjolberg