A significant trend at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan was the many fashion brands that are creeping closer to décor and interior design, and the Scandinavian brands are not far behind. The superbly-executed monochrome installation by fashion brand COS in collaboration with Japanese design studio Nendo was a huge hit at the Milan furniture fair. For those of us who couldn’t make it, the website offered the chance to explore the unified effort through a special ‘concept store’ section, where several Nendo pastel-coloured designs were available alongside the minimalistic garments of COS.
Founded in 1968, Danish textile manufacturer Kvadrat has in recent years become known for bravely seeking out world-renowned creatives to team up with for different projects and collections. Following the collaborations with Tord Boontje, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Olafur Eliasson, the turn has now come to Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons, chief designer at Dior Woman (but also known for his work at Jil Sander). The result is a textile and accessories collection that merges striking colours with innovative materials and textures.
For the inauguration of fashion brand Hope’s new Gothenburg store, brand director Ann Ringstrand has teamed up with an old pal of hers – artist, designer and curator Gustaf Nordenskiöld. The pair previously studied together at Borås University some 20 years ago, and saw the chance to finally create something together. The Sway Mug is a limited edition cup made in glazed porcelain and decorated with a Pollock-style spattered pattern. Look out for the mug in Hope’s online store.