Lara turns her athletic experience into performance wear design
“I think my design language and fashion interest got mainly influenced by having done track and field for 15 years and experiencing firsthand what can be improved in terms of fit but also aesthetics. There is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to sustainability in the industry, so I choose to study at the Swedish School of Textiles to research how to combine all these factors.”
What do you think are the most interesting or important parts of the programme?
“Learning and practicing how to think and design very methodically. And to find and express the very core of a project. The design studies are very lab and experiment-oriented, and I think that the combination of experimenting in the labs freely but also building a structure and a method beyond these experiments helps to create excellent and innovative work. Because the school is so well-equipped, it really feels like you can actually execute any idea that comes to mind. In the first year, we have to choose a technical specialisation (construction, knitting, weaving or printing) and this helps a lot to become an expert of a craft/technique.”
What are the most demanding parts of the programme?
“Personally, exactly this very methodological approach, because I used to design quite chaotically, so this switch was a challenge for me, at first. But learning to bring some structure to my chaos has been both the biggest challenge and the biggest gain from the studies.”
What career opportunities will you have after your studies?
“Hopefully, to design garments within the sports and outdoor industry. The performance wear studies are structured relatively freely, so it is still very close to fashion design and does not only include the sports and outdoor sector but also costume design, performance arts, or anything related to the human body in movement. So, it is really up to the interests of each student in which direction we want to specialise.”
What do you dream about working with in 5 years?
“First, I would like to work as a sport and outdoor designer, gain a lot of experience, and try to incorporate sustainable design strategies more in the industry (in my Master’s degree work, I am researching how this could be done). In the further future, I could imagine passing on knowledge through teaching.”
What tips do you have for those considering applying for the same programme as you?
“It helps a lot to have a (vague) plan/direction/aim on what you would like to research when you come here. There is definitely time to develop this and change it in the first year but having a direction is necessary.”
Which country are you from and what did you study before?
“I’m from Germany and I did my BA in fashion design in Hanover (with 1 year ERASMUS in The Hague, NL) and a tailoring apprenticeship.”
Why did you choose to study fashion in Sweden, and in Borås?
“I chose to study here because of the great reputation of the school and its focus on sustainability. The practical and experimental approach that can be seen in the degree works of previous students also made me think that this school would suit me well.”
How did you find information about the Swedish School of Textiles?
“I heard about the school first from a teacher in my BA, and from my classmate in The Hague, who did her ERASMUS in Borås and never came back because she loved it so much. There is a lot of information on the school's website and great process pictures on Instagram.”
What is the school like for international students?
“There are many international students in the design department, especially in the Master’s programmes. So it is very easy to get around and make friends. We organise potlucks and dinners and cook our national dishes for each other or celebrate important cultural festivities together. It is a wild mix of Chinese New Year, Easter egg hunting, and Santa Lucia walks.”
Where is your favourite spot to study or create your work?
“The Sewing Lab and the Print Lab! The school is very well equipped with many different machines, so it feels like a big playground of creative possibilities. Also, each student gets a desk with mood boards and shelves!”
What do you like to do in Borås in your spare time?
“I love to go for runs in the beautiful forests here. There are lakes and streams and mossy stones everywhere, which feels magical and is a great way to get some distance from work and some reflection time. I have also joined the local basketball team, and there are a few cute cafés in the city. We try to go to the sauna at the lake once a week but depending on how much work we have we cannot always do it.”
Why should people study at the Swedish School of Textiles?
“If you are curious to experiment, willing to learning/practice systematic design processes, open to cultural exchange, and have a meaningful (in whatever sense) project in mind, the Swedish School of Textiles is a great place to be.”
Learn more about the programme
Master's programme in Textile and Fashion Design, specialisation in Performance Wear
Text: Sara Lundgren
Photo: Private
Published 2026-02-10