Ingunn Birkeland
Designer & founder
Ingunn Birkeland established the brand INGUNN BIRKELAND OSLO, also known as IBO, in 2005. She has a Masters degree in fashion design from Oslo National Academy of the Arts.
The brand is known for showpieces and dresses for the red carpet. Each dress is specially made for every costumer, and designed and made in Birkelands ateliér in Oslo. Detailes, time-consuming techniques, the use of colours and the artistic expression is central to the work.
In 2011 Birkeland launched the first shoe collection. Details from the showpieces and dresses are transferred to the shoe design. The shoes are produced in Elda, Spain, at a factory which has been in the same family for decades.
In September 2012 the IBO shoes were presented at New York Fashion Week, at another Norwegian designers -Nina Skarra- Fashion Show.
In May 2013 the Norwegian princess Märtha Louise wore an IBO gown and shoes at the pre-dinner for the Swedish princess wedding in Stockholm.
In 2013 Birkeland launched her first enamel jewelry collection, which is produced at a local factory in Oslo, Norway.
Ingunn Birkeland has been nominated for the Norwegian Design Award “Nåløyet” twice, as well as having received two scholarships from the Ministry of Culture and Church, and one from Innovation Norway.
Recently the National Museum in Norway bought four outfits and two pairs of shoes from Birkeland for their collection of Norwegian fashion design.
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