The World’s Oldest Department Store Contributes to a Diverse Fashion Environment in Norway

Department store Steen & Strøm in Oslo is a stepping-stone for emerging Norwegian designers. The world’s oldest department store contributes to a diverse fashion environment in Norway.

Steen and Strøm, which first opened in 1797 and is widely regarded as Norway’s answer to Le Bon Marche, Selfridges-London, and Rinascente-Milan, increased year-on-year sales by 6.9% in 2024, achieving record takings for a second consecutive year.

For several years, Steen & Strøm has played a crucial part in creating, developing, and maintaining Oslo Runway, a platform to show and celebrate Norwegian design. Out of Oslo Runway’s 10 running years, Steen & Strøm has been a key partner for 6 consecutive years. The partners have hosted exciting events such as the Official Opening Dinner and Party, the Tribute Award ceremony, and Oslo Runway By Night.

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Steen & Strøm on providing a physical platform

Key partner Steen & Strøm acknowledges its unique position in bridging local talent and customers. The department store aims to be a stepping-stone for Norwegian design, and partnering with Oslo Runway to support the local fashion industry is an integral part of this. They’ve provided up-and-coming Norwegian designers visibility and trading opportunities for several years.

“We believe Norwegian design has immense potential, and enabling a stage for local, national, and regional designers is hugely important. At Steen & Strøm, we are playing a small part in helping the industry grow by giving both up-and-coming and established brands the visibility they deserve, says David Wilkinson, Executive Director at Steen & Strøm.

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Playing at the intersection of creativity and innovation, Oslo Runway is recognized as Norway’s most impactful showcasing arena for fashion and design. With a growing international reach over the past few years, Oslo Runway has received press coverage and critical acclaim in prominent magazines such as Vogue Italy and Scandinavia, American Harper’s Bazaar, Schön Magazine, ELLE Girl Japan and ELLE Belgium, British Who What Wear, Scandinavian Mind, Dazed, Hypebae, The Times and Forbes.

From 26 to 31 August, Oslo Runway will showcase 34 of Norway’s most exciting designers and brands.

The World’s Oldest Department Store Contributes to a Diverse Fashion Environment in Norway, reported by Tor Kjolberg.

Feature image (top): Illustration photo © Anna Zhuk/iStock