IKEA And H&M Open ‘Ideas Factory’ Store Of Products By Up-And-Coming Creatives

In April this year, H&M and Ingka Group—the world’s largest IKEA franchisee—announced it would be introducing a joint mentor program to aid emerging designers, bringing original concepts to life in a multifunctional creative space.

Creators were invited to pitch their best and brightest ideas for the store, of which the most promising products were produced for sale, lending to the project’s ‘ideas factory’ moniker.

Now, Atelier100 has finally opened its doors in London, with the aim of drawing the focus of the design world back to the merits of local design and production. 

The concept store will feature products created by a collective of makers, manufacturers, and industry experts; forming a community where independent brands can be nurtured and developed.

Unlike other brands on the high street, every item available for sale in the store has been designed and produced within 100 km (62 miles) of central London by designers who live and work locally. 

Plus, aside from retail, the space offers an uplifting and energizing environment for creatives to take part in workshops or share co-working areas.

“With design industry support, we are bringing unique, brilliant products to London and its tourists, whilst building new networks to help future-proof the Atelier100 community,” said the initiative. 

[via HYPEBEAST and Atelier100, cover image via Atelier100]