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Temperatures may be rising, but with stars like Hailey Baldwin and Kendall Jenner still rocking their winter shearlings, the temptation to carry a cozy coat into spring is strong. Enter Therma Kota, the Nordic outerwear brand founded by sisters Mosha and Sophie Lundström Halbert and their mother, Linda Lundström in 2017. Focused on bringing runway-inspired design to the most functional of pieces, the label remakes familiar coats in daring new fabrications. For example, a traditional raincoat is given the holographic treatment with material coated in microprismatic glass particles meant to echo the colors of the aurora borealis, while the standard shearling is updated in shades of pastel pink or arctic opal.
This playful vibe allows Therma Kota’s styles to work beyond their limitations. The brand’s core pieces are seasonless because for cofounder Mosha Lundström Halbert, the appeal of a luxurious coat is relevant year-round. “[Shearling] is almost like cashmere in a way,” she says on the phone from Reykjavík. “It’s quite temperate and adjusts to temperatures with the leather on the outside and then the cozy wool lining it has. It really allows you to go through different weather while being comfortable.”
Lundström Halbert has Nordic cool down pat. She is blonde with blunt bangs and colorful outfits that embody the elegant eclecticism associated with the region. Originally from Toronto, she has been inspired by the Reykjavík fashion scene since she began to visit Iceland as a child. “What I love about, you know, the style in Iceland and other parts of Scandinavia is people still stay true to themselves,” she says. “They really are prepared and they have these essential pieces in their wardrobe starting with great coats, hats, and accessories [like] fur and gloves. Even wool underwear and bras that help them stay warm from the inside out.”
The idea of curated essentials carried over into the line’s recently launched menswear collection, a lineup of plush aviator jackets and leather coats created in collaboration with Icelandic football star Birkir Bjarnason. The resulting range is polished without being ostentatious, much like its namesake. “Birkir is a national hero and such an accomplished athlete, but he also has really great style without trying too hard,” says Lundström Halbert. “There are a lot of athletes that love fashion or really play it up, but it’s rare to have the ability to make clothes seem effortless.”
With made-to-measure options available for men and women, Therma Kota advocates investing in multiple outerwear options instead of a single piece; the opalescent raincoat, candy-color shearling, and embroidered bomber each have their unique place, according to Lundström Halbert. “Our whole approach is that you need to build a wardrobe of coats for different types of weather and climates,” she explains. “Variety is important; it’s the foundation that allows you to get through every season in style.”