At the market, visitors can browse through diverse stalls for Scandinavian present ideas and decorations, while sampling some hearty Scandinavian food together with a mug of hot mulled wine. The Scandinavian Christmas Market is the perfect place to pick up some special Christmas presents for your family and friends, with stalls selling everything from Scandinavian jewellery and furniture to Christmas decorations.
For 50 years now, the name Ole Mathiesen has stood for timeless elegance and reliability as well as innovation, and the reputation of the watch company has reached far beyond Danish borders. Honoured with the Classics Prize for classic design in 2004 and the Royal Warrant – By Appointment to the Royal Danish Court in 2008, the company continues to go from strength to strength.
This year Helsinki has been celebrating its role as World Design Capital 2012. Amongst the five designers chosen to represent Finnish fashion at an exhibition called “Boutique” at the Amos Anderson Art Museum is the capital’s hottest rising star Samu-Jussi Koski.
Playful, comfortable and functional goes a long way in describing the Eva Mork furniture design collection. The minimalism that Scandinavian design is known for is in evidence, but with the added extra touch that makes each piece really stand out.
Shoe label FINSK, with its renowned wooden wedge design, is one of the coolest 21st century style icons. Launched in 2004 by London-based Finnish-born Julia Lundsten, FINSK has won numerous awards for its unique avant-garde designs and is now a firm fixture in the fashion world.
Nordic design is known for its clean, strong lines as well as its simplicity and functionality. It is often based on forms, colour combinations and patterns found in Scandinavian nature, which is in parts lush and peaceful while at times also wild and rough. Working along the same lines, but bringing their own recognisable organic touch and powerful prints to the table, is Danish design brand by nord.
Danish designer Louise Campbell fronts a new wave of young and talented Scandinavian designers, who challenge the tradition of ‘Scandinavian Modern’ and offer new visual experiences and perspectives on design. You might know her from her collaborations with Royal Copenhagen and Louis Poulsen, you might have seen her designs at MoMA, or read about her in Wallpaper. Starting up her own studio in the mid-90s, she has since become a critically-acclaimed designer with a strong, idealistic approach to her work.
The Scandinavia Show 2010 took place at the Olympia Conference Centre on 9-10 October. And what an event it was! The exhibitors turned up in full force with cheerful expectancy and boxes full of Scandinavian quality goods. Nobody knew really what to expect, as this event was the first of its kind in the UK, but all our doubts were quickly swept away, when we saw a queue gathering outside the centre on Saturday at 10am – and this was only the beginning.
In a long career as a design writer, I have seen Scandinavian design in the UK grow from a small niche market appealing mostly to modernist missionaries into a major movement with its own shops and websites. And now an exhibition run by a young Danish dynamo, and good friend, Thomas Winther – who confidently and credibly promulgates “brand Scandinavia”.
Scandinavians have been recognized as frontrunners in the field of interior design for years, but in the fashion world they have been taking baby steps until quite recently, when things really started happening. The world finally took notice of the talent that had been brewing in the North for a long time. On 9-10 October 2010, at The Scandinavia Show in London, an exclusive live fashion show will finally introduce the best of Scandinavian fashion to the UK audience.
Friday, November 2, 2012
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