IKEA Presents Home Collection Comprising Unique Pieces From Artisans In Asia
Image via IKEA
Think of IKEA products, and the idea of sameness might spring to mind. For the past decade, though, the Swedish furniture giant has been working with social businesses to bring in one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces that also help give creators sustainable incomes.
The latest is the MÄVINN collection, which consists of 20 handmade items from artisans supported by seven charitable enterprises in Asia. The endearing selection includes rugs, baskets, an apron, bags, cushion covers, a lampshade, and a wall organizer.
As each piece is lovingly put together by hand, every item is “unique in form and shape,” akin to finding a special keepsake at a local craft market, says IKEA.
The wares are constructed from materials more abundant in their home regions, such as excess denim cuts from jean production, handwoven textiles, cotton, and natural fibers like the bark of mulberry trees, banana fiber, and jute from Bangladesh, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. For this reason, every piece in MÄVINN has its own character, expressed through its technique, embroidery, tactility, or contrast.
“We were particularly impressed by the lampshade made from natural banana fiber, which is a one-year crop,” shares Paulin Machado, a designer at IKEA of Sweden. “Rather than letting the trunks go to waste, they are dried and cut into strips that are braided or woven. Skilled workers then use a jig to shape and sew the braids into a simple yet elegantly handmade lampshade that emits a warm and inviting light.”
The collection endeavors to transport people to the local markets that the designers have visited during their travels, “so they may experience the varied textures and designs we’ve fallen in love with,” Machado expresses.
“Every item has a distinctive look and rustic feel of a handpicked item, blending colorful splashes with natural materials through embroidery and woven designs where their handmade nature gives its uniqueness.”
The range is IKEA’s latest effort to provide long-term jobs for people and vulnerable groups in rural areas.
The name ‘MÄVINN’ is a nod to dialect from Småland, the home of IKEA, with the expression translating to mean “having the wind at your back.” The brand deems the moniker as a symbol of good fortune and a reminder to welcome the gush of forward momentum.
The charming collection will launch globally beginning this June.
[via House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens, IKEA, images via IKEA]
