Modern Scandinavian Classics
After 20 years, Pia Wallen is still true to the felt material that she created her very first designs with. The Swedish designer has developed a wide range of high quality and innovative products but is perhaps still best known for her most easily recognizable products; felt wool slippers, sterling silver jewelry and her iconic Crux blanket.
Pia Wallén is a designer rooted in Scandinavian culture and draws inspiration from a combination of history, traditional materials and techniques and the dramatic northern climate. Somehow she manages to combines tradition with play and fantasy, searching for new solutions in order to develop products that reflect today's culture and appeal to the modern consumer. Principles of functionality, simplicity and humor are always the basis for her contemporary interpretation of the Scandinavian craft tradition. Read about some of best known designs below:
Felt
The felt collection includes a variety of innovative products made with the finest quality 100% felted wool. Pia Wallén has remained loyal to this material, developed new products and refined techniques since her first felt product was introduced in 1993.
Crux blanket
A survivor, the cross symbol was seldom seen in the design world before Pia Wallén introduced her Crux blanket in 1991. Pia was touched by the idea of hope that the cross blanket represented and was inspired to design her own during the Kuwait war. In Swedish folkart tradition, the cross is a strong symbol for hope, a meeting point of heaven and earth and has remained an important symbol for Pia Wallén during her career. Produced by a small family company in Sweden, using the finest wool. The weaving process is crafted with traditional weaving machines that produce the fine border which is then felted using the traditional Scandinavian methods. The blankets are made in as limited editions with new colors being introduced each year.
Unisex slippers
The Unisex slipper was first designed in 1992 for Progetto/Orgetto Cappelini. The slipper was inspired by the Scandinavian tradition of using wool linings inside boots, to survive the cold Swedish winters. Designed with the use of minimal pieces and a clever construction. Functionality, simplicity and comfort are probably why this model remained popular for so long.
Jewelry
Pia’s exclusive jewelry collection includes a variety of simple but bold designs in sterling silver. All pieces are hand made in Sweden with the highest quality and attention to detail. Her first piece of jewelry was launched in 1997, when Pia Wallén combined her love of felted wool with sterling silver. The result of which became the Slitz ring and bracelet, these days a design classic.
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