Inspiration from the 1960s and textiles past and present

At this spring's Formex, January 20-23, 2011, WIS Design is inviting visitors to enter a cozy living room from the 1960s. At Formex there will also be an exhibition of handicrafts from Skansen, which has provided the inspiration for newly-manufactured products – the Skansen Collection – created by Ekelund Linneväveri in Horred.

Lisa Widén and Anna Irinarchos from WIS Design are responsible for creating Formex Coffee Corner – a relaxed and cozy living ¬room, where visitors can rest while enjoying a cup of coffee.

"Inspiration is drawn from the cozy living rooms of the 1960s when the whole family used to gather around the television, sitting on the sofa or lying on a rya rug. Our living room is, however, more stylized and inspired by set designs and stage sets," according to WIS Design.

WIS Design is a design studio offering product and interior design. Their philosophy is to bring wisdom and poetry to the everyday objects that surround all of us.

Skansen and Ekelund Linneväveri in Horred are arranging a joint exhibition that comprises a small selection from Skansen's collection of objects and textiles: fantastic handicraft items from various eras, displayed side by side with newly-manufactured textile products from Ekelunds. For the first time, Skansen, which has a history dating back 120 years, will be launching a unique collection of modern textiles. 

This unique partnership began when Ekelunds was approached about a potential collaboration with Skansen, using Skansen's extensive collection of preserved objects and treasures as inspiration for textile products reflecting the historical values which are Skansen's signature. Following solid product development work in 2010, using the historic originals as a basis for production of new towels, table runners, tablecloths and other items, employing brand new techniques and a modernized artistic idiom, we now have a Skansen collection ready to be launched at the exhibition.
"It has been a fantastic journey, on which we have seen changing architecture, commercial history, costumes and textile-based handicrafts. We have experienced first-hand the care and love which lies behind all the preservation work done by Skansen," says Britt-Marie Henriksson, Design Manager at Ekelunds.

"The collaboration with Ekelund Linneväveri means that Skansen is opening up to the world outside in a new way," says Skansen's Director John Brattmyhr. "It is about creating a new channel and resource for our living museum, with the brand and cooperation with trade and industry becoming a part of this work."

For more information, visit www.formex.se or contact Lotta Signeul, Press Officer, lotta.signeul@stockholmsmassan.se or telephone +46 (0)8-749 43 79.