Ann-Sofie Johansson

• Name — Ann-Sofie Johansson • Education — University of Gothenburg, Lund University, Anders Beckman's School • Occupation — Fashion designer • Known for — Head of Design for H&M (2008–2013) • Title — Creative Advisor, H&M

Johansson grew up in Ronneby, an hour away from Stockholm, Sweden. As a youth, she shopped often at H&M, calling it the "heaven of fashion". After first thinking about becoming a veterinarian, Johansson instead pursued art science studies and archaeology at Gothenburg and Lund universities – it was then that she realized she wanted a career involving artistic creativity. She took some evening courses in design at the Anders Beckman's School in Stockholm.

In 1987, after deciding she wanted to become a fashion designer, Johansson took a job as sales assistant at H&M. Three years later, she showed her portfolio to company head of design Margareta van den Bosch and was given H&M's new position of design assistant. From 1994 to 2005, Johansson worked as a designer for the Young department at H&M, before moving to the Ladies' department. In 2008, Johansson was promoted to Head of Design, working with 140 designers, and in 2013 she began overseeing H&M's special collections shown in Paris. Johansson became Creative Advisor in 2015, and has subsequently worked as H&M's spokesperson and representative. Her job involves travel, fashion research, designer collaborations, and the overseeing of H&M's "brand building" collections.