Long associated with minimalism and quiet confidence, Swedish design has embraced a newfound dynamism in 2024, spurning beige for millennial pink (yes it’s back) and moderation for playfulness. With a smaller furniture fair than in previous years (a sign of the times that aligns with a growing international move away from the traditional trade-fair-as-design-week model), the design offering expanded into the city centre, where emerging Stockholm-based designer Gustaf Westman and sultry Copenhagen textile brand Cappelyn Dimyr among others opened up their studio doors to much fanfare. Svenskt Tenn’s 100th anniversary was celebrated at its showroom in the city centre, where people queued around the block for the occasion. Here, we spotlight more highlights.
Gustaf Westman
The twenty-something designer, who launched his eponymous studio in 2020, shot to fame with his caricature-like ‘Chunky Cup’ and ‘Curvy Mirror’, which captured the Generation Z zeitgeist. The studio, which has since grown to five employees is now releasing its first glassware collection (above). Comprised of candy pink goblets and chalices with thick rims, it’s a range that won’t disappoint Westman’s cult following.
Also unveiled during the design week, the studio revealed a new iteration of its popular ‘Chunky Cup’ called ‘Spiky Chunky Cup’. The red cup and saucer will be released in Berlin in May with Highsnobiety. gustafwestman.com.
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Cappelen Dimyr
Danish company Cappelen Dimyr’s rugs have been on our radar for some time but its new blankets and furniture covers are leading the brand into an exciting new interiors space. Much like its rugs, the blankets and covers – which were on display draped over little pouffes during the design week – are produced in India by skilled artisans who employ traditional techniques. Each piece is made from fine, unbleached wool and finished by hand, before being dried in the sun. cappelendimyr.com.
Wekino
Deep inside one of the two halls at Stockholm Furniture Fair, visitors are introduced to ‘With’, an exhibition of new works curated by South Korean design and lifestyle brand Wekino and Swedish design agency Note Design Studio. It features eight new products from seven of the most promising and established names in the contemporary Korean design scene and is the first time Wekino has exhibited in Europe.
Although Wekino has a presence and is well known in Seoul, it wants to expand its reach and infiltrate the European market, which is where Note Design Studio comes in. ‘We want Wekino to become a powerhouse in Korean design,’ explains founder of Note Design Studio Christiano Pigazzini. ‘Seoul is exploding with film, music and fashion – we found the design scene super interesting. We selected specific designers and it feels fresh and new.’
Note Design Studio product designer Joong Han Lee, who grew up in Seoul agrees. ‘A lot of super talented Korean designers needed an opportunity to work with brands but it’s hard to get their careers started with brands in Europe because they are geographically far away.’ Watch this space. wekino.co.kr; notedesignstudio.se.
Vaarnii
British designer Faye Toogood’s first collaboration with Finnish pine specialists Vaarnii debuted at the furniture fair to much acclaim. Comprised of lollipop stick planks of pine wood, the ‘Peace Outdoor Lounge Chair’ and ‘Footstool’ are designed for ‘rest, reading, contemplation, solitary pursuits more than social gathering,’ according to Toogood.
Both pieces are engineered to help users feel closer to nature, without spoiling the existing natural landscape of the garden or outdoor space. t-o-o-g-o-o-d.com; vaarnii.com
Iittala
The talk of the week was no doubt Finnish design brand Iittala’s launch party, which was held on Monday night at the disused nuclear power plant KTH R1. The industrial setting, which is located a staggering 25 metres underground, formed the backdrop to the otherworldy event. Artist Damsel Elysium kicked off the evening with a fantastical performance in which they blew into some of the brand’s most special, new glass pieces as well as playing the cello and dancing around the space in a Björk-like fashion.
The performance was followed by a short speech by the brand’s newly appointed creative director, Janni Vepsäläinen, who will aim to bring her experience working in fashion for brands such as Loewe to the iconic brand.
Set to launch in March 2024, ‘Iittala Play’ is the company's first collection since the relaunch and is made up of pastel-coloured ceramic tableware including serving bowls as well as vibrant textiles and handblown glass vases. iittala.com
