MUNTHE ART MONDAY: LAURA STOCKL

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

My name is Laura Stöckl - I’m an artist, creative director, content creator, and former luxury fashion designer based in Amsterdam. My journey began in fashion, where I spent over a decade designing luxury accessories and working with heritage houses such as Louis Vuitton, Karl Lagerfeld, and Matthew Williamson. Art has always been a constant in my life - I’ve been painting and selling works since my teenage years.

About three years ago, I felt a strong pull to slow down and create more intuitively, which led me fully into fine art. Today, my work lives at the intersection of femininity, strength, and emotion. I create expressive paintings exploring beauty, memory, and imagined realities.

Laura is wearing the ROXAS KNIT from our Pre Spring 2026-collection.

Can you name some other female (artist) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

Heather Day continues to be a huge inspiration to me. I’m drawn to her intuitive use of color and freedom and confidence in her large-scale work - it reminds me to trust the process rather than control it.
I’m also inspired by women who were ahead of their time, such as Sonia Delaunay and Hilma af Klint, whose work followed intuition long before it was widely understood.
Among contemporary creatives, Sarah Bahbah inspires me deeply. Her photography is raw, emotional, and honest, and I admire how personal narrative sits at the center of her work. Beyond individual artists, I’m endlessly inspired by the female creatives and entrepreneurs around me - women I collaborate with and am lucky to call friends.

Laura is wearing the ROXAS KNIT, OBEY PANTS, and LIXIA BAG.

What would you like people to notice in your artwork?

My main goal is to inspire emotion when people encounter my work. I combine realistic, pop culture-inspired imagery with collage, alongside more abstract explorations of color connected to my synesthesia and how I experience memory visually. I work in collections, each exploring a specific subject or tension.

In 2024, I presented a large solo exhibition examining beauty and desire - using imagery that traditionally attracts the male gaze. As viewers moved closer, layers of collage and text revealed more complex realities and power dynamics beneath the surface. Storytelling plays a central role in my practice, often carrying a sense of nostalgia or longing in response to our increasingly digital world. My hope is that the work invites people to look twice, feel something, and find a personal connection within the stories.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

Being a woman has shaped my career profoundly. Early on, I felt pressure to be “perfect” - to prove myself, to work harder, and to take up less space.
Over time, I’ve learned that femininity is not something to soften or hide, but something to lead with. Sensitivity, intuition, and emotional depth have become my greatest strengths. I no longer create to impress; I create to connect - and that shift has changed everything.
Along the way, I’ve built meaningful connections with other female entrepreneurs and artists, forming a community that feels grounded, supportive, and free.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the arts?

The most challenging part has been learning the need for external validation. As women, we’re often taught to wait - for approval, permission, or the “right moment.” Claiming my space as an artist required trusting myself fully, especially within an art world that is still largely male-dominated.
At the same time, I find it encouraging to see a growing female presence in the arts. I’m currently working with APPIE in Amsterdam, a gallery run by a female artist and representing predominantly female artists and being part of that environment feels both grounding and forward-looking. Awareness is key - understanding the industry while consciously choosing how to navigate it, without losing yourself along the way.

Laura is wearing the LESTINE JACKET, ROXAS KNIT, OBEY PANTS and LIXIA BAG.