Bitten Eriksen (1900 – 1996) was a renowned Norwegian knitwear designer, and her timeless patterns have left an indelible mark on Norwegian design history. Her two sons, alpine pioneer Marius and Stein Eriksen, made fashion history in their mother's classic knitwear while conquering the ski slopes on their father's handmade Streamlines skis. Streamlines was the name of Norway's first alpine ski, developed by Bittens husband, Marius Eriksen senior.
Photo credit: Slim Aaron, Snowmass 1968.
Streamlines builds on the legacy of the Eriksen family in Norwegian alpine ski and design history.
Always look for the perfect line
Streamlines is based on the legacy of the Eriksen family who left their mark in the history of Norwegian alpine skiing and design. With faith in quality, natural materials and timeless design, the family tradition has reemerged.
We are proud to relaunch knitwear and alpine skiing equipment to celebrate the creations of Bitten and Marius Eriksen. With an enthusiastic team and loyal supporters behind us, we embark on new adventures.
– Martine Eriksen
Bitten Eriksen
Norwegian designer and female skipioneer
Bitten Eriksen (1900 – 1996) was a renowned Norwegian knitwear designer, and her timeless patterns from the 1950s gained great popularity in both Europe and the United States.
As a Norwegian ski pioneer, she paved the way for women in the alpine environment at a time when the sport was dominated by men.
1928 – Bitten Eriksen at Tryvannstua in Oslo.
1931 – Bitten Eriksen together with her close friend Willy Bogner senior.
1933 – Bitten Eriksen skiing in the Alps.
Bittens iconic knitting design
In 1956, Bitten Eriksen designed the Cortina pattern, which became Norway's first Olympic sweater. Four years later, she created the pattern for the official sweater for the Squaw Valley Olympics. Her popular ski sweaters were highly sought after among alpine skiers worldwide.
Over time, Bitten had over 30 knitters working for her, and no garment escaped her meticulous quality control.
1954 – Stein Eriksen ski school in Boyne Mountain, Michigan, USA. Sweaters designed by Bitten Eriksen.
1956 – The Norwegian women's team in alpine skiing wearing the Cortina sweater designed by Bitten.
1958 – Bente Eriksen in a popular sweater called Snøtinn.
International Breakthrough
Bitten Eriksen had a close friendship and collaboration with fashion designer Maria Bogner. Her knit designs were a natural part of their collection in the 1950s.
Her two sons, Marius and Stein, were Bitten’s foremost ambassadors, and the demand for her sweaters increased in line with their skiing achievements. Her hand-knitted sweaters soon became a bestseller, both domestically and abroad.
1959 – Bogner fashion. Maria Bogner as a model in Bittens sweater is the icing on the cake.
1980 – Bitten Eriksen
Stein Eriksen elegantly dressed in his mothers timeless knitted design.
Stein Eriksen
Norwegian Alpine Skier and Mr. Ski in the USA
Stein Eriksen (1927 – 2015) secured Norway's first two Olympic medals in Alpine skiing when he won gold in Giant Slalom and silver in Slalom at the 1952 Winter Olympics. Two years later, he clinched three gold medals at the Winter World Championships in Åre, Sweden.
Stein Eriksen later became known for his elegant skiing style under the name"Mr. Ski" and is referred to as the"Father of Freestyle skiing" in the USA.
1952 – Olympic Winter Games. Stein Eriksen secures Norway's first two Olympic medals in alpine skiing.
1954 – The World Alpine Championship in Åre, Sweden. Stein wins three gold medals.
Stein Eriksen – The father of freestyle skiing.
A sparkling alpine adventure
As a young boy, Stein Eriksen was introduced to the sport of skiing at an early age. Together with his father, they chopped down trees and set up slopes behind their home. There was a lot of play and joy with friends on those slopes.
Stein developed into a top alpine skier with high ambitions for the future. In 1949, he finally won his first Norwegian Championship gold medal, followed by a bronze at the World Championships in Aspen the following year.
1934 – Holmenkollen skiklubb. Krølle Bødtker, Christian Mohn and Stein Eriksen.
1945 – Stein Eriksen is making his first somersault in Sørkedalen, Oslo, Norway.
1949 – Stein Eriksen ski racing at Rødkleiva, Oslo, Norway.
Stein Eriksen becomes "Mr. Ski"
With an Olympic gold and three World Championship gold medals in his possession, Stein Eriksen crossed the Atlantic and introduced the American people to alpine skiing. The big Sunday attraction was when he performed his straight flip, long before the "Freestyle" disipline existed.
In the 1980's, Stein became Director of skiing and the face of Deer Valley resort in Utah. With his elegant skiing style, Stein Eriksen eventually became America's "Mister Ski".
1959 – Aspen Highlands. Stein Eriksen ski school in Aspen Colorado, USA.
1968 Snowmass, USA. Stein Eriksen introduced the reversed shoulder technique.
Mr. Ski
Marius Eriksen
Alpine Champion and Flying Ace
Marius Eriksen (1922 – 2009) had a strong sense of adventure, and the world of alpine skiing consumed him. At the age of 16, he qualified for the Norwegian alpine skiing team during the Winter Olympics in Zakopane. Marius Eriksen was a fearless skier, and in 1947 and 1948, he became the Norwegian Alpine Champion.
During World War II, he made significant contributions as a Spitfire pilot.
1934 – Marius Eriksen started his career on a selfmade alpine slope at home.
1939 – Marius Eriksen. The youngest participant in the Alpine World Ski Championships in Zakopane.
1940 - Marius Eriksen after the victory in a ski race at Gaustad in Norway.
Spitfire pilot i Royal Air Force
World War II temporarily halted Marius Eriksen’s skiing career. At just 17 years old, he fled from Norway to “Little Norway” in Canada to become a fighter pilot.
In 1942, Marius took his seat in the Spitfire, becoming the youngest fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force. He became an outstanding pilot, a passion he retained throughout his life.
1943 – Lieutenant Marius Eriksen was the youngest Spitfire pilot in the RAF.
1950 – The pilot Marius Eriksen at Skeikampen, Norway
1970 – Marius was an outstanding pilot, a passion he kept for life.
Joy of skiing and Sport Fashion
In 1947 and 1948, Marius Eriksen became the Norwegian Slalom Champion. During the 1954 Olympics in Cortina, he served as the coach for the Norwegian women's alpine team. Throughout his life, Marius Eriksen was dedicated to sharing the joy of skiing, making it accessible to everyone.
Together with his wife, Bente Eriksen, Marius took over the responsibility for the family's sports business, and their close collaboration with the Bogner family continued.
1947 in Voss, Norway – Marius Eriksen won Norwegian alpine championship
1951 – Marius Eriksen in his shop in Oslo, Norway.
Willy Bogner, Bente and Marius Eriksen on photoshoot for Bogner.
The Man Behind the Streamlines Ski
As a cross-country and Nordic combined skier from Telemark, Marius Eriksen Sr.(1886 – 1950) was passionately involved in ski equipment innovation. In 1930, he developed his first ski model with climbing skins and handmade aluminum edges.
Through the family's close friend from Bavaria, Willy Bogner Sr., the"Marius Eriksen ski" quickly became a favorite in the Alps, opening doors to new skiing adventures.
1919 – Marius Eriksen senior skiing at Holmenkollen
1932 – The first Bogner shop in Munich, Germany.
1933 – Happy days in the Alps. Willy and Marius fashionably dressed in Bitten Eriksens handmade sweaters.
Alpine Adventures in St. Anton am Arlberg
In the true spirit of a pioneer, Marius, along with his wife, Bitten Eriksen, traveled to St. Anton in Austria. In the 1930s, they skied with ski legends Rudi Matt, Hannes Schneider, and Willy Bogner.
Inspired by the ski culture in the Alps, Marius Eriksen senior decided to create Norway’s first alpine skis with steel edges.
1931 in St. Anton – Bitten Eriksen surrounded by Willy Bogner sr. her husband Marius sr. and Hannes Schneider.
1931 – The pioneers Bitten and Marius Eriksen in St. Anton am Arlberg.
1932 – Willy Bogner, Bitten Eriksen and Hannes Schneider skiing in St. Anton.
International Success
As a cross-country and Nordic combined skier from Telemark, Marius Eriksen Sr.(1886 – 1950) was passionately involved in ski equipment innovation. In 1930, he developed his first ski model with climbing skins and handmade aluminum edges.
Through the family's close friend from Bavaria, Willy Bogner Sr., the"Marius Eriksen ski" quickly became a favorite in the Alps, opening doors to new skiing adventures.
1952 – Winter Olympics in Oslo- Stein Eriksenwins Olympic gold on his father's Streamlines ski.
Popular Streamlines products in the 1950's.
Stein Eriksen. Olympic champion in alpine skiing.
