One can do some very interesting things with the color black. Just ask Swedish fashion designer Helena Hörstedt, who this week won one of the country’s biggest arts prizes : the design prize of the Marianne & Sigvard Bernadotte Arts Fund, carrying a cash award of SEK 50,000. Helena launched four all-black collections after graduating from Beckmans School of Design in 2004; each features frocks with original and decorative details created by folding or the use of advanced tailoring techniques.

The arts will naturally be in focus at an massive gala which will take place in June, to honor philantropist Marianne Bernadotte, who will turn 85 this summer. Marianne is the widow of “design prince,” Sigvard Bernadotte, the son of King Gustaf VI Adolf. The line-up to provide entertainment in Stockholm City Hall is set to include popular singer Lill Lindfors, opera singer Barbara Hendricks and Marie Fredriksson, best-known as half of the Roxette duo. See: www.helenahorstedt.com