June 2020
How it all began
Murlong Cres was founded in 2020 by Kaja Høglund, after she lost her job as a graphic designer during the pandemic. With time on her hands and creativity to spare, she turned to sewing — a skill she had taught herself just for fun. What began as a personal passion project quickly gained unexpected attention. To her surprise, people wanted to buy the pieces she made.
Working from her living room, Kaja began selling her handmade designs online. One order led to another, and what started as a creative outlet soon evolved into a brand — built stitch by stitch, driven by instinct, and powered by a small but growing community of women who connected with her vision.
October 2021
The Year the Elsa Bustier Was Born
In 2021, Murlong Cres took a major step forward by beginning to outsource production to carefully selected manufacturing partners. This shift allowed the brand to meet growing demand while maintaining its commitment to quality, fit, and craftsmanship.
It was also the year the Elsa Bustier was introduced — a piece that would go on to become Murlong Cres’s signature design. With its structured bodice, feminine lines, and timeless appeal, the Elsa Bustier quickly became a bestseller and remains a cornerstone of the brand today. Many of the designs that followed have been inspired by this piece, which helped define the distinct identity and aesthetic that Murlong Cres is now known for.
January 2022
Going All In
In 2022, after nearly two years of building Murlong Cres from the ground up, Kaja Høglund made the decision to leave her full-time job and dedicate herself fully to the brand. Although Murlong Cres was originally born from a job loss, Kaja had returned to traditional work while growing the business — using her income to reinvest every penny earned from the brand back into fabric, production, and development. When the brand reached a point where it needed her full attention — especially with the transition to factory production — she chose to take the leap. It marked a major turning point, both professionally and personally, and laid the groundwork for the growth that followed.
September 2023
A Viral Moment with Elsa Hosk
In September 2023, Murlong Cres experienced a defining moment when Elsa Hosk — one of Scandinavia’s most iconic models — was seen wearing the brand’s Elsa Maxi Dress in ivory. The moment, which took place on founder Kaja Høglund’s birthday, felt serendipitous and surreal. Elsa had received the dress months earlier, and the team had no idea whether it would ever be worn publicly. But when she posted it, the response was immediate. Social media lit up, DMs poured in, and for the first time, Murlong Cres went viral. The exposure brought a wave of new followers, customers, and press — and solidified the Elsa Maxi Dress as a signature piece in the brand’s core collection.
August 2024
Murlong Cres Takes the Runway
Murlong Cres made its runway debut as part of the prestigious Oslo Runway NEXT program, held at the historic Grand Hotel in Oslo. This milestone event showcased the brand's evolution from a self-taught seamstress's passion project to a recognized name in the fashion industry.
The collection, inspired by the minimalist beauty of Scandinavian living, featured 15 looks crafted in silk and cotton, emphasizing romantic cottage-core elements like pleated busts, bows, and laced-up bustiers. Notably, the Elsa Maxi Dress and Elsa Bustier were among the standout pieces, reflecting the brand's commitment to timeless elegance and precise tailoring.
This runway debut not only garnered attention from fashion enthusiasts but also solidified Murlong Cres's position as a slow fashion brand devoted to high-quality design.
If you'd like, I can help craft a detailed blog post or press release highlighting this event, incorporating visuals and quotes to bring the experience to life.
Murlong Cres today
The Story Continues
Today, Murlong Cres has grown from a one-woman operation into a globally loved slow fashion brand — worn by women around the world and featured in publications like Vogue Scandinavia. While the scale has changed, the vision remains the same: to create beautifully crafted, size-inclusive pieces that celebrate the female form and are made to be worn again and again.
All of our designs begin in Norway, where founder and designer Kaja Høglund leads the creative process — from concept and fabric selection to final fit and construction. Our garments are produced in small batches by a family-owned factory, with a focus on quality, comfort, and timeless design.
Murlong Cres is known for its signature silhouettes — like the Elsa Bustier and Elsa Maxi Dress — which have become wardrobe staples for brides, wedding guests, and women dressing for life’s most special moments. Every piece is designed to feel effortless and empowering, blending structure with softness, and always with functional details.
As we continue to grow, we remain deeply committed to our slow fashion values — producing limited collections, designing with intention, and creating clothes that feel as good as they look.
Founded by Kaja Høglund, Murlong Cres is a Scandinavian fashion brand designing timeless pieces for modern women. From our very first handmade top to being worn by icons like Elsa Hosk and featured in Vogue Scandinavia, our journey has been anything but ordinary.
We create elegant, feminine designs that are made to be worn again and again — for weddings, garden parties, late summer dinners, and every special moment in between. Each garment is crafted with care using luxurious materials like cotton, silk, and structured satins, offering both beauty and comfort.
At the heart of Murlong Cres is a commitment to slow fashion. We release limited-edition collections, produce responsibly in small quantities, and design with longevity in mind. Our pieces are size-inclusive — ranging from XXS to XXXL — and made to celebrate the female form, with thoughtful tailoring and flattering fits.
What started as one woman sewing in her livingroom has grown into a global community of women who value quality, confidence, and individuality. Whether you’re a bride looking for something modern and meaningful, or just someone who wants to feel beautiful in a really good dress, we’re so glad you’re here.
Our Philosophy
Murlong Cres is built on the principles of slow fashion, timeless design, and purpose-driven creation. We design clothes that are meant to last — emotionally and physically — with silhouettes that celebrate the female form and can be worn again and again. Every piece is designed with versatility, quality, and confidence in mind, offering women something beautiful to return to for every special moment.
Our Materials
We work exclusively with high-quality fabrics that offer both structure and softness. From breathable cotton and fluid silks to our signature structured blends, our materials are chosen for their durability, comfort, and drape. Fabric is not an afterthought — it’s the foundation of each design, and we spend a great deal of time sourcing textiles that feel just as good as they look.
Our factory
All Murlong Cres pieces are produced in small batches at a family-owned factory with a long-standing tradition of craftsmanship. We’ve built a close relationship with our production team, ensuring every garment is made with precision, care, and respect for the process. This approach allows us to maintain high quality while producing responsibly and in limited quantities.
Our team
While Murlong Cres began as a one-woman brand, it has since grown into a small, passionate team based in Norway. Led by founder and designer Kaja Høglund, the team works across design, development, customer experience, and logistics — all with the shared goal of creating pieces that make women feel seen, celebrated, and confident in their own skin.