In August she managed the pop up shop for Formex in Stockholm and last Friday she organised a fashion show in MVG Gallerian. Lisa Karlsson runs uMe Projects, which takes on this type of assignment in parallel with project management of MVG & Saga Gallerian in central Umeå.

You run uMe Projects, what do you do besides organising fashion shows?
I also work with pop up shops at Formex, projects like Umeå Fashion & Design and have recently started as a project manager for MVG and Saga galleries. 

How did you think about the fashion show in terms of selection, theme, etc.? 
Sustainability feels like a natural theme, especially when working with local actors. I love collecting products from designers who have a strong drive and passion.

What is the climate like for fashion companies in Umeå? 
The fashion industry faces major challenges globally and locally. But if you find your niche and customers who like what you do, keep costs down, use the people around you and collaborate, you have a good chance of surviving and succeeding.

Fashion and retail have been hit hard by Covid-19, how has your business been affected? Can you tell us what actions you have taken?
At first it was difficult because some planned projects were cancelled. But thanks to a special covid-19 grant, I was able to build a website with an accompanying web shop, for which I am very grateful. At the same time, I was accepted to eXpression, where I have been helped to develop my web and business model. So although the Corona epidemic was initially a challenge, it has also meant that I have been able to make a bigger digital investment.

What's going on in your company now?
The focus is on my new assignment in the company Johanna Wiklander.se and Umeå Fashion & Design. Then I'm going to do a pop up shop in Umeå with an exciting theme.