Leon Murphy
Pictured at home in Notting Hill and surrounded by her own artwork, Silje wears Valle and Vik throughout the shoot. Pictured here wearing the "The Goddess" maxi dress together with Sophie Lis Lightning Bolt hoops, Spike Studs and Compass pendant Not only is she beautiful, disarmingly so; with sky high chiselled cheekbones, paradisiacal figure and a smile to die for but she is enchanting… or perhaps entrancing!
It is said when agencies scout new faces, typically they look for that "IT" factor which consists of the confidence and coolness that models give off while casually walking down a runway.
Silje is a Norwegian artist, model and now designer, founder and creative director of the newest, coolest fashion brand on the block; Valle & Vik. We meet the designer at her London apartment and ask her ten quick questions about her life and pathway to success.
All the prints are based on old Scandinavian and nordic folk art - I just love the history and the feelings they evoke. It's this relaxed glamour that forms the basis of the collections - a signature series of minimalist cuts elevated with lashings of maximalist colour and prints on luxurious silks.
Valle & Vik is an accessible-luxury womenswear brand that delivers a style transcending dress codes, destinations and I hope, generations.
It was then I realized there was a gap in the market for such a dress when I failed to find a designer that consistently offered these qualities for under £500.
I wanted something super high quality that would pack well, offer versatility and not date in ultra-flattering cuts with an eye-catching pop of print, colour or originality… the dress that had it all! I was 16 when I was scouted to be a model and as a result, was lucky enough to travel the world for work and had a varied social life.
In a week my travels could take me from a gala in New York, to an English country wedding via a yacht in The Bahamas. Silje wears The Breezy dress in Bunad Yves blue with Sophie Lis Spike hoops, short diamond surround Love Pendant and long gold chain wrapped twice around the neck for a chocker look.
Throughout my ten year career I always continued to paint, focusing on female nudes, expressing strength, femininity and vulnerability.
Everything else – the textile printing and manufacturing has been self-taught and a steep learning curve with many key lessons learnt on the way! My grandmother is one of the most stylish women I know, even now at 80 years old, she is always put together with an effortless relaxed but undeniable elegance. Last summer we went the local beach together when I was back home in Kristiansand and she was rocking a two piece black high waisted 50’s bikini with a pair of lilac sunglasses.
High waisted looser pants - tucked in tight sweaters with a vintage belt and a statement necklace on top is a go to look for her. I just loved it, and more often than not, I wasn’t payed any salary due to spending everything I earned on clothes before the month was done! I love seeing that joy and confidence boost in my clients when they wear Valle and Vik, it really is the biggest reward for me and makes it all worth it.
I get up 7/730am, make a pot of coffee or tea then put them on my tray and enjoy it in bed whilst going over emails etc. By 8.15am I’m in Hyde park getting some fresh air vitamin D and endorphins on my morning run whilst listening to a podcast, a book, music or nothing depending on where my heads at. I spend most days with my assistant, and whoever is working with me on a specific project, be it design, market strategies, accounting, production etc.
If I have to do real focused work alone I have to turn off all notifications on my laptop and phone and just set my alarm for 45 minutes allowing me to concentrate deeply. Silje also wears our Lightning Bolt bracelet with bespoke Coded eternity and Fallen Star ring
And when my vision has turned into a tangible thing and it all started with a thought that lead to an action then another then another - and then suddenly here we are! Being your own boss is not for the faint hearted, you have to have self-discipline, patience, humility and be prepared to roll your selves up and work really really hard.
So I guess that’s good and bad - you are always working even when you are not you are, and finding a balance is an art form I am yet to master. Silje pictured again in the Cannes Do dress with two Shooting Star diamond earrings worn in the same ear, short gold surround Love pendant and long diamond surround Love pendant on her back.
I would describe my personal style as pretty simple and laidback but always with a pop of colour or texture or something unexpected. I am quite fuss free in my style - in the sense that I don’t like too many frills and I do not wear a lot of makeup. My fail safe fav would be one of my long shirt dresses - The Long Flirt or shirt and silk pants with some Aquazzura flats and a funky bag (at the moment it’s the velvet Gucci Bucket Bag) - some everyday sparkles (diamonds of course) mixed in with an art deco ring and lipliner pillow talk from Charlotte Tilbury and some blusher - et voila!
Silje wears the City Slip in rust together with our Plain Diamond Hoop earrings, Spike Studs, Fallen Star and diamond surround Love pendant necklaces, Lightning Bolt bracelet and bespoke Coded and Fallen Star ring I am “mildly” obsessed with Aquazurra shoes, I love all their funky coloured flats and sexy strappy sandals. Silje pairs the City Slip in Rust with her new matching headband and Sophie Lis Fallen Star hoop earrings
I’d be in Italy Positano on the Amalfi coast with my closest friends and family - eating pasta , sipping on rosé and jumping in the sea - maybe a spot of paddle boarding ( I’m excellent at it … lol … or am I?!!)
