On an island off the rugged west coast of Norway, surrounded by fjords, fishermen, and spectacular skies, designer Julia Kröner Venø has launched a colourful addition to the world of outerwear. Though the idea was born from storms, one NODE is a rainwear brand that brings fashion, joy, and community together.

Located on a grey, rain-swept coastline and with a population of about three thousand people, Selje is not your typical fashion capital. Though, that is sort of the point. Here, among the intervals of early morning dew and afternoons of lashing rain, one NODE was born.

“Through our designs, we try to bring a little joy and colour into people’s lives,” says Julia Kröner Venø. “We want our rainwear to not only encourage an active outdoor lifestyle, but also joyful community interactions.”

one NODE: delightful rainwear from rural Norway

From bustling metropolis to…rural Norway?

Originally from Germany, Julia is a designer whose career has taken her everywhere from London to Atlanta. The latter is a sprawling, fast-paced metropolis in the American South, very much a city of ambition where she thrived. However, when the pandemic hit, priorities began to shift. Julia and her husband, Norwegian artist Bjørn Venø, found themselves longing for something quieter and simple. “The fast-paced rhythm of American life was invigorating, but we needed a reset. Not just geographically, but spiritually.”

one NODE: delightful rainwear from rural Norway

Doing a complete 180, the couple and their two young children decided to move back to where Bjørn had grown up; a small island called Venøy, 20 minutes from Selje. There, along the edge of Norway’s weather-worn coast, the rhythm is slower than in the cities. Life is shaped by tide, wind, and the quiet persistence of nature, and days begin with gull cries and the soft crashing of waves rather than the blaring honks of the morning rush. It is a place where people wave when they drive past, not because they know you well, but because you are a part of something.

one NODE: delightful rainwear from rural Norway

Drawing on her skills and background, Julia wanted to establish herself and create something that would honour the coastal Norwegian ethos: simple and functional, while rooted in nature and real life. “It rains a lot here, but I never found anything I actually wanted to wear. I wanted colour and emotion, something that felt alive.’

With a rainwear brand in mind, Julia spent two years searching for a European manufacturer. As a tailor, it was important to her that she could ensure quality and good working conditions for those producing her designs. “We found the perfect ethical partner in Poland, who also shares our passion for the Norwegian lifestyle.”

one NODE: delightful rainwear from rural Norway

Connecting people through rainwear

The brand one NODE was born not in a boardroom, but in a community shaped by its salty air and sturdy wood, conversations and simple living. “A node is a point of intersection, where things meet; be it cultures, generations or people. I wanted to create a brand that encourages people to meet each other, even in the rain. In Norway, people don’t usually come up and say, ‘You look nice.’ But when you’re wearing a colourful raincoat, they do! They start talking, and suddenly, you’re not just two strangers passing by.”

Since its inception, the brand has grown from one node – Julia – into a mission-driven community. It has attracted a growing network of both local and international partners, and they continue to work closely with schools and professionals in the region.

one NODE: delightful rainwear from rural Norway

“The philosophy of one NODE as a point of intersection is reflected not only in our design approach, but also in our team structure and partnerships. Our recent capsule collections, fashion shows, and limited-edition pieces are created in collaboration with both local and international creatives.”

From fashion shows with the local cultural heritage centre to limited-edition rain capes inspired by West Coast folklore, the one NODE design process celebrates co-creation and shared stories from near and far. What makes the brand distinctive is its bold and joyful design, an intentional choice as turmoil sweeps across the world. At one NODE, rainwear is designed not only to protect, but also to delight.

one NODE: delightful rainwear from rural Norway

With tones inspired by wild berries, seaweed greens, and soft sunbursts, the designs bring warmth and energy to what can otherwise be dreary days. “People need colour right now, especially here in the northern hemisphere,” she says. “Wearing something bright doesn’t only lift your mood, but it can also spark conversation.”

Though firmly rooted in the Nordic countryside, the brand’s reach is expanding rapidly. After showing at CIFF in Copenhagen, one NODE is planning pop-ups in some of Europe’s rainy capitals, aiming to connect with new audiences the colourful rainwear of Selje.

one NODE: delightful rainwear from rural Norway

Web: www.onenode.no
Facebook: one NODE
Instagram: @onenode_no

If you want to become part of the growing one NODE community, or know a location where the brand could pop up, reach out to Julia via @onenode_no.

Read the feature on issuu