What were you doing when you were 16? If you were anything like me you were sneaking beers from your parent’s fridge and watching one too many episodes of “The Real World”. If you were Swedish designer Bec Wonders, however, you’d be relocating to another country, setting up shop with an established designer and traveling across Europe selling your clothes…all while you were still in high school. Impressive? I think so.

EM: Occupation and Position:

BW: Designer and parttime highschool student (10th grade) and photographer. I work as an assistant at Mutewatch AB, SVENSK AB and I am buying my own company right now: Bec Wonders AB.

EM: You moved to Sweden at such a young age, what prompted leaving Germany?

BW: I was born in Sweden and wanted to see the city (since I cant remember it) My brother also really supported the idea of going to Sweden because of the fashion scene, and I just wanted to get the hell out of ‘Goettingen’ (Germany).

EM: Why did you choose Sweden and what is it about their fashion and style that you think is so unique?

BW: Its really something special, like you can really tell when its Swedish, and people are so accepting to other styles as well. You sort of develop your own fashion from inspiration of other peoples fashions, and I’ve never seen guys so interested in fashion as here! Its a huge business, and i think Swedish fashion will have such a big market in the future. The cool thing is that Swedes realize this and know that their fashion is really special and really Swedish, and everyone is really proud of this.

EM: Where are your favorite local spots to eat?

BW: To be honest I have super cravings for A&W. Here in Sweden the food is really boring, except the candies. But nothing can beat A&W, the last time I ate there was 4 years ago. They don’t even sell rootbeer in Sweden. To mention a more local place, in my city (Uppsala) there are wonderful places all along the river. But for poor people like me, it’s just as lovely to buy something cheap and watch the sunset while sitting by the river. Very romantic and urban, not to mention popular.

EM: What’s the greatest item that you found at your local garage/estate sale?

BW: Well, last year in the autumn I went to a garage sale in Stockholm and found these crazy awesome retro pants. They are originally from the 70’s, super long and beige stripes, and they are really lose and get broader towards the ground. They are high waisted and make me look super tall (..for my height). It was an absolute awesome find even though it cost me 600 SEK (around 60 bucks).

EM: What’s your favorite youtube video.

BW: Well, even if it is a bit egotistical, my favorite video is:

I made it last week, inspired by ’stop motion’. It’s just an inspirational video for my fashion.

Another video that I really like is:

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo. A very artistic and cool video which is also in form of ’stop motion’. I suppose it took a terribly long time and must have required enormous effort, which is why I appreciate the video so much. Plus it’s a great production.

EM: How do you approach design? Do you have certain inspirations for collections and pieces?

BW: I really try to come up with designs sometimes, but it just is really hard to come up with something from scratch. When I’m really blank, i go into fabric stores and just look at the fabrics, they really inspire me. When i see a certain fabric, i usually have tons of ideas what to make with it. Usually strong music keeps me pushing and working hard. Music effects me a lot, it can change my whole mood, so I actually really have to be careful when I chose what to listen to. Like sad melodies make me work less efficient, whereas strong and inspiring melodies make me work a lot harder.

EM: What songs are at the top of your playlist at this very moment?

BW: Portishead – Glory box

Emancipator – Soon it will be cold enough to build fires

Maskinen – Alla Som Inte Dansar (Swedish artist)

Jose Gonzalez – Heartbeats (Swedish artist)

Håkan Hellström – För en lång lång tid (Swedish artist)

Afasi & Filthy – Jobb (Swedish artist)

EM: What is your current bedside read?

Crazily enough I’m too poor to buy myself a bedside read. If I would buy one, it would probably be ‘Gramp’ by Mark Jury and Dan Jury. It’s a very interesting photography series of an old man, accompanied by stories. It shows the process of dying by the willing to die and it’s the first artwork or documentation that involves the family and not only the dying person itself. But right now, I make a hot cup of tea and spend a few minutes sketching before I go to bed. Either way, it gets me tired!

EM: What is your favorite city to visit when you travel abroad? And why?

That’s a tough one. I believe I haven’t been to my favorite city yet. I can imagine somewhere in India, where I understand nothing, but just pass by in the chaos, enjoying the simplicity. But from the cities I’ve been to, my favorite city is probably Vancouver in Canada. People are open minded, friendly, and you don’t have to make an effort during first impressions. Here in Sweden everyone is shy and quiet, and you never really know if someone likes you or not. Vancouver is a whole nother world, plus it photographs extremly well! Although fashion in Vancouver is not as unique and yet recognizable Stockholm.

EM: What new projects you are building on right now?

BW: In a short while I will hopefully be able to meet Diana Orving, a very famous Swedish designer. I’m currently working towards menswear and having a few photoshoots in Germany in the summer. Over the summer a design team has been willing to re-design my logo and website. Also I will travel to Vancouver (maybe NY) to sell my fashion. After summer I will hopefully be able to interview MGMT at the popaganda festival in Stockholm. In Fall I will hopefully accompany Diana Svensk to Berlin and sell SVENSK and BecWonders fashion.

To keep track of what Bec has up her sleeve and peer into the typical day of a teenage wunderkind, check out her blog.