Hyderabad, March 25, 2019: IKEA, the Swedish home furnishing company today unveiled a new ‘handcrafted and limited collection’ named ANNANSTANS, which in Swedish, means ‘elsewhere’. The name hints at the enigmatic feelings behind this new IKEA collection, as well as the far-flung collaborations that brought it alive. The ANNANSTANS collection is a collaborative effort between IKEA product developers, Swedish multi-disciplinary designer Martin Bergström and talented artisans from four different social enterprises in India, Romania and Thailand. Each member of this international team contributed with their own ideas, skills and experience to create a highly distinctive collection.
ANNANSTANS, Kaftan, grey, blue, Rs.2,490
The collection is made along with two Indian social entrepreneurs – Rangsutra and Industree. An artisanal approach, in partnership with these social enterprises, gives IKEA customers the opportunity to own out-of-the-ordinary designer pieces that are both individual and meaningful. The designer, Martin has applied his prints to three sizes of cushion covers, two scarves, a kaftan, a tote-style, cotton bag, two handmade boxes – they all speak the same design language, and to round off this eclectic collection ANNANSTANS also features handwoven baskets in banana fibre.
ANNANSTANS, Basket, handmade, banana fibre, 58 cm (22 7/8 “), Rs.1,490 (big basket)/ ANNANSTANS, Basket, handmade, banana fibre, 45 cm (17 3/4 “), Rs.799 (small basket
THE RANGSUTRA CONNECTION
Martin Bergström began all his prints with hand-drawn sketches, inspired by forms in nature. Before production, the sketches became digital artwork. Digital printing transferred the ANNANSTANS prints to the textiles. This consumes much less water than other methods, so the design statement is also an environmental one. Artisans from Rangsutra social enterprise decorated the ANNANSTANS cushion covers with traditional Indian embroidery. Their handiwork adds a unique and personal contrast to the striking contemporary prints.
THE INDUSTREE CONNECTION
The dried stem of the banana plant, stripped into individual fibres, is an attractive raw material for handwoven products such as ANNANSTANS baskets. This renewable resource, a by-product of banana farming, is one of the strongest natural fibres.
At Industree in India, handwoven natural fibres are a speciality. But rather than their usual neatness and precision, Martin wanted an organic and haphazard look that would showcase the beautiful, natural material. Industree used a novel technique that they developed to achieve the desired ‘imperfect’ yet durable effect.
Speaking on the uniqueness of the collection, Mia Olsson, Country Communication & Interior Manager for IKEA India says, “We wanted ANNANSTANS to feel urban and contemporary. Martin has stretched the artisans’ skills to design a truly creative collection. ANNANSTANS explores diverse ideas, collaborations, skills, materials and locations. Therefore, the collection was never intended to co-ordinate in a conventional way; instead be a melting pot of various inspirations coexisting alongside each other.”
Teams of skilled craftspeople developed and refined the product designs with Martin – challenging each other to discover what would be distinctive, attractive and achievable. Handmade touches turn each piece into a one-off masterpiece that is affordable to own. The artisans work for one of four social enterprises that are long-term IKEA partners. Industree and Rangsutra in India, Doi Tung in Thailand and Mesteshukar Butiq in Romania all helped to create social change for marginalised communities, as well as to support traditional handicrafts. ANNANSTANS collection stands out for its collaborative, socially-minded values as much as for the quality of its design and hand-finishing.
Disclaimer: The above is a press release
1 comment
Nice products,.. i appreciate IKEA s initiative