“Softness meets strength”: 66°North links up with Laufey on a limited-edition capsule

“When I think back on my time growing up in Iceland, I think of walking to school or music lessons in the crazy weather,” says Icelandic-Chinese jazz pop sensation and former Vogue Scandinavia cover star Laufey. Her trusted companion for withstanding the famously dramatic climes often cloaking the country? 66°North, the renowned heritage Icelandic outerwear brand. “Wearing 66°North was simply part of life,” she continues. “It is what you wore waiting for the bus in snowstorms or on family outings.”

​Now, these cherished childhood memories culminate in a full-circle moment as 66°North unveils a limited-edition capsule collection created in collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist, merging Laufey’s signature aesthetic with 66°North’s performance-driven DNA. Stepping into the role of a collaborator rather than wearer, Laufey says, felt “emotional”. “Instead of just wearing something that protected me, I was helping shape it. It felt like honouring a brand that quietly shaped my childhood while adding a piece of my own story,” she muses. “To now be recognised by one of the most prominent and innovative companies in Iceland with my own capsule collection is such a privilege.”

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​Helgi Óskarsson, CEO of 66°North, echoes the excitement: “Laufey’s lifelong connection to the brand and Iceland makes this collection feel like a natural evolution of our partnership that has grown deeper over the years,” he says. “We couldn’t think of a better partner and are thrilled with the collection she has created that speaks to both our heritage and her modern style, in which she is known for.”

​Comprising five pieces, including a refined, belted long shell coat, a plush Icelandic wool cardigan, a graphic tee emblazoned with the collaboration logo and a clock-inspired motif (harking back to Laufey’s current world tour and third studio album, A Matter of Time), as well as a knitted bonnet and waterproof shell bag, the capsule brings Laufey’s dreamy and poetic universe into 66°North’s wardrobe staples designed to combat even the harshest of conditions.

​“Performance is about protection, but also freedom. I wanted the pieces to feel romantic and nostalgic while still being functional,” Laufey explains. “The mood was softness meeting strength. Icelandic weather demands practicality, but I approach the world with sentimentality. I wanted the collection to feel protective, feminine, and quietly powerful.”

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66°North heralds a major milestone this year, as the brand – which got its start from crafting weather-proof clothing for local fishermen – celebrates its 100-year anniversary. This collaboration draws inspiration from 66°North’s historic archives, Laufey’s childhood pictures and the breathtaking Icelandic landscapes. Laufey highlights core cues behind the collection: “I remember standing on black volcanic rock with my sister, bundled up against the wind, feeling very small against the landscape. That contrast between softness and something vast became a guiding feeling,” she says. “From the archive, I was drawn to timeless, utilitarian silhouettes. They were made to endure, not to chase trends. That quiet resilience felt deeply Icelandic to me.”

Another treasured companion from Laufey’s childhood – and present-day life – was key in the collaboration, as Laufey’s twin sister Junia joined her to bring the collection to life, which Laufey notes made the process “instinctive.” “We share the same childhood memories and sense of humour about growing up in dramatic weather. She sees things in a cinematic way, which pushed the storytelling further,” she says. “There’s an unspoken shorthand between us that made everything feel fluid and natural.”

​The team-up with 66°North marks Laufey’s first foray into fashion design. Working with clothes instead of music surprised her in all its technicality. “I follow a feeling. With clothing, every fabric choice and seam has a function. You cannot rely on emotion alone,” she says. “Both processes share a goal of making someone feel held or understood.” She imagines people wearing the versatile collection “on a windy walk by the sea or layered over a dress in the city.” “The pieces are meant to move with you through travel, rehearsals, or everyday life,” she adds. “I hope they feel timeless and personal.”

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​For Reykjavik-born Laufey, growing up in Iceland’s rugged, majestic surroundings has profoundly moulded her relationship with nature and the outdoors, teaching her humility above all. “The weather decides everything, and you learn to adapt,” she says. “There’s deep respect for nature because it is both beautiful and unforgiving. That unpredictability fosters resilience and awe, and I find comfort in that balance.”

​Her Icelandic heritage has also played a pivotal role in shaping her creatively, a wellspring of inspiration that continues to influence her today. “Icelandic culture embraces storytelling and melancholy. Longing and drama are not hidden, they are expressed openly. That emotional directness has shaped me deeply,” Laufey muses. “Even when I write about vulnerability, it comes from honesty. Iceland gave me stillness and much of my creativity begins there.”

​The 66°North × Laufey capsule collection will be available in-store in Iceland, London and Copenhagen and online at 66north.com from March 10, 2026