Tasty Socks, Graceful Geometry and More

It might still be winter outside, but refreshing colours can make us dream of spring as the shops fill up with garments for warmer days, hinting that a new season is on the horizon. Hues of violet and blue were recently named colours of the year – and sure enough, warm violet and calming blue shades are perfectly on-trend this season. Let colourful transitional attire carry you softly from the greyest of winter towards the joyful, lighter spirit of spring.

By Åsa H. Aaberge | Press photos

Not many garments can compete with an easy-to-throw-on cardigan between seasons. Add some wool, lilac and green too, and it makes for the perfect transition piece that is both on-trend and suitable for the bitterly cold late winter, as well as the early spring. Cos, cardigan, €99 www.cosstores.com

Not quite a cherry, but perhaps more like the blueberry on top, with this sky-blue beanie from Danish Lovechild 1979. LoveChild1979, Beanie, €60 www.lovechild1979.com

This timeless silver signet ring from Norwegian Tom Wood stands out from the crowd with its sparkling violet amethyst. Wear it with any outfit, in any season. Tom Wood Lizzie ring, €579 www.tomwoodproject.com

A pair of corduroy trousers add dapperness as well as softness to any look. This aubergine purple pair from Swedish Acne Studios features, in addition to its fashionable colour, a trendy combination of a boxy ‘grandpa’ fit and sophisticated pleats. Acne Studios, Corduroy trousers, €300 www.acnestudios.com

If wearing a full-on colour palette is not your thing, tiny touches do a great job, too. Playful hair claws are still fashionable after a few seasons in the spotlight, and this one from the Danish jewellery and accessories brand Maanesten is bedazzled with stones to make any bad hair day a glamorous one. Maanesten Cloud hair claw, €40 www.maanesten.com

Trust a good tote to carry all the bits and bobs of your daily life. Finnish Marimekko’s iconic Unikko pattern in lilac is a good choice that adds a subtle touch of colour to your everyday style. Marimekko, tote, €73 www.marimekko.com

This lilac cardigan from Acne Studios is made in a soft mohair blend. The open knit makes it transparent enough to show off another colourful top underneath. Acne Studios, cropped cardigan, €300 www.acnestudios.com

Garments truly do have the power to shift your mood. Wearing lilac from head to toe, like this outfit from Danish Stine Goya, you’ll potentially make the people you encounter smile, also. The over-sized silhouette of the soft cotton candy corduroy trousers adds some coolness to the cuteness of the outfit, too. Stine Goya Fabian pants, €250 Stine Goya Prince shirt, €280 Stine Goya Ari blouse, €140 www.stinegoya.com

Objects in your home form a language of visual cues: I work at my desk; I sleep in my bed; I cook at my stove. But while imaginative design might not change the function of a space, it changes how you think in it – so, invite artistry and inspiration into your lounge area, your mind and even your next party, with these five exquisite feature chairs.

By Lena Hunter | Press photos

In 1886, two brothers founded Brdr. Krüger – a wood-turning workshop in the Danish countryside. Five generations later, the family business has become a cult name in Danish heritage design. Associated with an enduring legacy of craft, the label attracts collaborations with some of the world’s best design talents. The stunning Arkade Chair was sketched by the late Nanna Ditzel, whose hallmark round geometrics marry the famously laconic Danish style with elegant Rococo touches to achieve a look that’s both regal and understated. Arkade Chair in fumed oak and brass, €1,182 www.brdr-kruger.com

Stockholm-based furniture atelier Hem has teamed up with New Zealand designer Sabine Marcelis on this joyful, pink donut. With its pop-art overtures, the statement Boa Pouf resembles a domesticated Jeff Koons sculpture – only this one is butter-soft and wool-knitted using 3D technology to eliminate seams. The pouf suits contrastingly ‘hard’ interiors, in which its playfully synaesthetic design can break the spell of formality and satisfy the artist’s eye. Boa Pouf in cotton candy, wool and nylon, €1,499 www.hem.com

Photo: Erik Lefvander Is it a stool? Is it a side-table? Inspired by Brutalism, ferm LIVING’s UTA piece exudes an architectural matter-of-factness that seems to say ‘purely for practical use’ – while the Escher-esque form mischievously dodges whatever that use might be. Certainly, with its overall look of monastic severity and dark, polished finish, it will refine the atmosphere of any room – and be a guaranteed conversation starter. UTA Piece, dark oiled pinewood, €405 www.fermliving.com

To celebrate the 100th birthday of cult designer Ib Kofod-Larsen, the original manufacturer Magnus Olesen has relaunched his iconic 1950s Model 107 one-seater. Larsen’s signature look – sleek, fat leather supported by narrow, subtly curvaceous oak – is perennially modern. So modern, in fact, that it almost refutes its luxurious comfort… but not quite. With its ample breadth and sloping recline, this is how you do ‘stately’ and ‘out of office’ at the same time. Model 107, oak and leather, €3,000 www.magnusolesen.dk

Based in Copenhagen’s docklands, GUBI is a design house renowned for cross-pollinating iconic heirloom style with avant-gardism. Take the Croissant Lounge Chair, designed by the inimitable Ilum Wikkelsø. Is there any word other than voluptuous that’ll do it justice? With nods to the traditional Chesterfield sofa and Gio Ponti’s famed ‘40s scallop couch, and a by-proxy nod to Greco-Roman seashell motifs, the Croissant bullseyes irreverent Dali opulence while respecting Scandi sensibility. Croissant Lounge Chair, chamois and oak, from €3,685 www.gubi.com

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Ananya Tanttu

Eija Koski is on a mission to make traditional Finnish ‘himmelis’ as well-known across the world as saunas. And with a number of exhibitions worldwide, and her book translated into six languages, it looks like she’s well on her way to succeeding in her task.

Koski first became fascinated by himmelis as a child, when a himmeli was on display at Christmas at her aunt’s farmhouse. Traditionally, himmelis are made from rye straw, and they were a symbol for luck, often hung above a baby’s cot and used at weddings. Today, Koski is the only full-time professional himmelist in the world. She lives on a farm near Vaasa, on the west coast of Finland, and uses organic rye from her own fields to make her himmelis.

Himmelis are visually striking, with geometrical shapes made out of hundreds, or even thousands, of pieces of straw. “Himmelis seem to appeal to people universally. I realised that they feature the same shapes and proportions as an octahedron, which is rooted in the mysticism of Sacred Geometry. The shape is mentioned in Plato’s writings, as well as in Leonardo Da Vinci’s De Divina Proportione, for example,” explains Koski.

She has travelled around the world teaching himmeli-making courses, and her himmeli books have been published in six languages. In addition, her work has been showcased at a number of exhibitions across the world: most recently, at the Finnish Design for Everyday Life exhibition in Japan, where Koski’s himmelis feature alongside the works of iconic Finnish artists and brands such as Alvar Aalto and Marimekko.

Koski’s ‘himmelis’ have been showcased at a number of exhibitions across the world.

“As they are hung from the ceiling, himmelis are constantly subtly moving, which is mesmerising to look at. There’s a certain peacefulness and a harmony of the soul that comes from staring at it,” Koski concludes.

Web: www.ekoart.fi Instagram: @eijakoskihimmelist

Eija Koski.

Long before the Great British Bake Off craze swept across the world, Swedes were making time for sweet treats. The cultural relevance of baked goods is difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t encountered it themselves, but many will tell you: ‘fika’ – a break for strong coffee, good conversation and delicious baked goods – is sacred to the Swedes.

By Amanda Düring | Photos: Svensk Husman

It comes as no surprise, then, that sooner or later, someone would come up with the brilliant idea of fika-inspired clothing. Eric Blomster founded Svensk Husman in 2018 to bring bright, whimsical socks to fans of the classic baked goods.

“The idea came to me when I was on holidays in Spain,” says Blomster. “There was just something about being surrounded by this proud culture that made me think that I’d love to showcase what I love about Sweden.”

Blomster being a trained chef, the decision to focus on classic sweets and food items was an easy one. “I love cooking, so it just made sense to incorporate that interest into my business. It’s pretty niche, but it’s taken off far more quickly than I thought it would. I’m just designing based on my own favourite foods, so the fact that so many other people are enjoying it as well makes me so happy.”

Quality and creativity Creating all the designs himself, Blomster is the creative mastermind behind the brand. The focus on food, and the other Swedish traditions the brand showcases, has provided a sense of direction for the brand, and a niche that customers love.

“I’ve got a whole wall full of new ideas, so there’s no risk we’ll run out any time soon. We started with food, but there are so many things we want to showcase. We’ve expanded a little to also include non-food-related traditions – we created one pattern based on Midsummer, for example.”

It’s not just as simple as creating a design and sending it off to a supplier,

however – not everyone lives up to the strict quality standards Svensk Husman has drawn out. “It’s so important that everything we do is of good quality. The first priority is obviously that the designs look good when printed on the garment,” says Blomster. “Especially when they’re so distinctive – everyone knows what a meatball looks like, and if it’s not right, it won’t look like anything. All our designs are based on food items that every Swede will know, so it’s really important that we get it right.”

Spreading joy during tough times Launching four different sock designs in 2019, the company has since expanded its product range to also include swimwear, underwear, bags and various accessories like mobile phone cases. Though the majority of sales at the moment are in the brand’s native Sweden, the company has retail outlets and dedicated fans in the US, Hong Kong, Australia, the UK, Japan and Germany –anywhere that people are interested in Swedish culture.

“It’s just me in the business, with a hand from my dad, Nils, when I need someone to help me out with the bookkeeping and sales. It’s a lot to handle for just two people, but we’re enjoying the ride. I’m really keen to bring Swedish food culture to people in a fun way, so even when it’s difficult, it’s totally worth it,” says Blomster.

And if it was difficult before the pandemic, shipping delays and supply issues haven’t exactly made it easier. As an online business, Svensk Husman was already set up to ship socks all across the world, but manufacturers struggled to keep up with the demand.

“We’re expanding rapidly, so it’s a constant challenge to keep finding new warehouse space,” explains Blomster. “We also don’t want to keep our customers waiting too long for their orders, so we’re in the process of changing our European manufacturers. It’s a lot to keep up with.”

But this hasn’t stopped Blomster from turning it into something positive. In addition to the standard socks, Svensk Husman now offers support socks, which help prevent blood clots when standing for too long. This makes them ideal for workers in two of the industries hit the hardest by the pandemic: health care and hospitality.

“Our mission is to bring joy to everyone who wears our socks, or even just sees them on someone else,” says Blomster. “There are a lot of people who have worked tirelessly throughout this whole thing who could definitely use some cheering up, and we wanted to do that in the way we know best.”

Web: svenskhusman.se Facebook: Svenskhusman Instagram: @SvenskHusman_Socks

Eric Blomster, founder of Svensk Husman.

Agnes dark blue transparent and lavender transparent.

For most people, sunglasses are both a meaningful and a necessary part of life. But why do they often have to either cost a fortune or be of such poor quality?

By Sara-Louise Fredshavn Geertsen, translation by Trine Jensen-Martin | Photos: A. Kjærbede

In response to these conundrums, A.Kjærbede came into existence in 2016. Founder and owner Adam Fredshavn Geertsen was questioning why such an essential everyday item is always either so expensive that it is “kept for (Sunday) bests”, or the substandard quality such that they simply are not made to last.

Value for money Sunglasses are often a part of our experiences or what we do; we carry them with us almost everywhere. Sometimes the same sunglasses survive many seasons, festivals, beach holidays and city breaks, but just as often, we leave them behind on the bus, accidentally sit on them on the airplane, or they come apart in the bag – or we simply tire of them and want to try something completely different. So, when one day, Fredshavn Geertsen was talking to a friend about the possibility of creating good-quality sunglasses in gorgeous designs, but at a much lower cost, the foundations of A. Kjærbede were laid.

This vision became the starting point for a Danish brand of sunglasses where quality, design and functionality unite in such a way that they are affordable to everyone. Evidently, Fredshavn Geertsen was spot-on with his idea, because with only four collections in the bag, A.Kjærbede sunglasses are now being sold in 23 countries and stocked in more than 1,600 shops worldwide. And the growth chart only continues to rise.

Designed for dreamers Despite the relatively short period of A. Kjærbede’s history, they recently launched their fourth collection. Every season is inspired by Nordic values and Scandinavian design with a minimalist yet edgy look. The sunglasses must feel luxurious and exclusive, even though they cost little more than a bag of coffee beans.

From the very beginning, Fredshavn Geertsen has designed all the collec-

tions, and he still does this with passion and pleasure. With more than 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, he has developed a certain aesthetic sense of the best combinations of colours, shapes and materials, and as such he also has a very wide frame of reference for his designs.

More than just sunglasses In his design of the sunglasses, Fredshavn Geertsen places huge emphasis on the feel of exclusivity. This is an approach he uses in connection with the brand itself – not just in the production of the sunglasses. To A. Kjærbede, the focus is on creating an all-round luxurious experience for the customer, from the first photos or videos of the product they come across, to what they read about the values and inspiration behind the brand, the online shopping experience and, finally, the moment they receive the product.

The company works from a certain holistic vision, and this is also why you’ll always receive your A. Kjærbede glasses in thoroughly high-quality packaging – and in addition, every item comes with a travel case and a cleaning cloth. Because even though the product is at the lower end of the price scale, it must feel like a real treat.

This is also one of the reasons why these products have, in record time, become a staple on the shelves of select and successful retailers all over the world, such as the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, the V&A in London, Kyoto, Bahne, SamsøeSamsøe, PLT, Urban Outfitters, ASOS, BOOZT, Beams, Nelly, The Hambledon, Accent, Johnny at the Spot, and many more.

Core values and the meaningful life A.Kjærbede’s 2022 collection is called The Dreamer Collection and is heavily inspired by – you guessed it – dreams. The aim of the collection is to be open and to make room for everything that we as humans are. It distinguishes itself from predefined boxes and the narrow minds with which we sometimes view ourselves and each other. “It’s so important that we dare to be, dare to dream, and dare to try,” says Fredshavn Geertsen. “The last four years have seen the creation of several re-runs, styles so popular and in demand that we produce them again in the following season, often in new colours. The Dreamer Collection introduces six completely original designs and the full collection counts 17 different styles, each with their own expression, their own history, and their own name,” the founder and designer adds.

Many of the models have been named after people in Fredshavn Geertsen’s life, or with some relation to the business – like two of the bestsellers, Winnie and Marvin, which are named after his two sons, Marvin and Winston.

Even though A. Kjærbede’s growth is constant and rapid, the company is still 100 per cent driven by its core values – and if you ask Fredshavn Geertsen, he’ll tell you that he does this because it gives his life meaning at every stage of the process.

Halo green marble transparent. Fame yellow transparent. Web: akjaerbede.com Facebook: A. Kjaerbede Instagram: @akjaerbede

Agnes black.

Elverhøj solid perfume.

Fragrances can transport us to another place in moments. Imagine taking your favourite memories of Denmark with you anywhere, bringing you in an instant to a particular beach or a treasured forest, no matter where in the world you are.

By Trine Jensen-Martin | Photos: Rasmus Bendix

Silke Pedersen lived in the Middle East for many years, and whenever she came back to Denmark, she was reminded of how she missed the smells of the air, the sea and the nature. The idea of distilling the scents of her home country grew over many years, and when returning permanently in 2017, she began to create fragrances to glean the essence of ‘her’ Denmark, and so Danmarks Dufte (‘The Scents of Denmark’) was born.

Based in Blåvand in Western Jutland – with a second retail outlet opening in Aarhus this spring – Danmarks Dufte sells beauty and lifestyle products that celebrate the uniqueness of Denmark’s nature. Pedersen partnered up with established company House of Cosmetics in Kolding as “they were the right fit and understand my vision”, she explains, and the collection consists of solid perfumes, bath and body products, body sprays and candles.

Pedersen is continuously developing new lines and fragrances and is currently working on a scent reminiscent of green fields on a summer’s day. “I try to link the pictures in my head with certain scents and aromas that can help to recall memories and special moments,” she says, reflecting on what this new scent means to her and how to recreate it.

A scent for every occasion “My favourite scent changes depending on mood and season,” Pedersen reflects. And Danmarks Dufte really has something for every moment. One fragrance aims to capture the bright Nordic summer’s evenings, one the essence of ‘hygge’, and one particularly popular fragrance distils the sensation of a walk on a windswept beach. “What reminds us of home, or of Denmark, is very individual, and this is a challenge – because certain smells may transport me straight to the sea but may not do the same to others,” Pedersen says.

All she can do is follow her own nose and hope that the fragrances she creates will connect to her customers’ memories and imagination. Danmarks Dufte creates products for everyone and continues to spread the distinctive scents of Denmark’s nature – so whatever memory you want to evoke from time spent in Denmark, one of Pedersen’s fragrances will certainly help take you there.

Web: danmarksdufte.dk Facebook: Danmarks Dufte ApS Instagram: @danmarksdufte

Silke Pedersen, founder of Danmarks Dufte.

Wildflowers, the beach, the scent of fresh roses – nothing inspires Helle Nørrevang more than the breathtaking nature of Sejerø. Each soap, shampoo bar and lip balm is made in her home on this charming island.

The story of Lundegaardens began by coincidence, when Helle Nørrevang’s daughter wanted to make a personal Christmas gift for her grandmother. Together, they ended up making her a soap, and Nørrevang had such a pleasant time making the soap that she decided to make more.

Soon, she had a blossoming business with soaps, shampoo and conditioner bars, a line of baby products and much more. “I’m inspired by the beautiful nature here on Sejerø, which shines through in every product. Since day one, it has been very important to me that my products are sustainable, honest, organic when possible, and kind to both our skin and the planet,” says Nørrevang, founder of Lundegaardens.

Each product is produced on the picturesque island of Sejerø, in Nørrevang’s own home. The production is 100 per cent powered by the family’s two windmills and solar panels, the products contain no sulphates, and they are all mostly biodegradable. “We don’t need all these toxins in our skincare products. Nature has everything we need,” she says.

Recently, Lundegaardens also launched a line of baby products with organic sea

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Lundegaardens

buckthorn, which works wonders for baby rashes. The line came about when Nørrevang needed an ointment for her own son’s rashes when he was a baby.

Lundegaardens has even got a range of various bamboo products, too, made in collaboration with a sustainable family business.

Web: www.lundegaardens-hudpleje.dk Facebook: Lundegaardens Instagram: @lundegaardens

Lundegaardens’ unscented Hair Crystal Bar won a shampoo bar test in Politikenin 2020.