Design Diplomacy x Norway

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT REQUIRES REGISTRATION AND ONLY REGISTERED GUESTS WILL BE ADMITTED.

Register here: https://bit.ly/DesignDiplomacyXNorway

Ambassador, Aud Lise Norheim, has invited designers Elisabeth Stray Pedersen (NO) and Magnea Einarsdóttir (IS) to her residence and is hosting an afternoon of design centered conversations.

Get a chance to hear the designers talk about various topics over a game of question cards that have been specially designed to power and spark the discussion. Then continue the conversation over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in this unusual setting.

Elisabeth Stray Pedersen (NO) has experience from Norwegian and international fashion- and textile industry. Her interest in sustainable products and local production was fundamental for choosing to take over a renowned production facility. In edition to developing the studio factory and original brand Lillunn that followed, she started the brand ESP in 2015 with the aim to target a younger costumer. In 2019 Stray Pedersen received the prestigious design award by Design and Architecture Norway (DogA), Jacobsprisen. The brand have been featured in Japanese Vogue, American Vogue, Monocle, Italian Vogue and DANSK Magazine amongst others. ESP aims to transcend trends and design locally produced high end clothes.
ESP use the finest Norwegian lambswool from the crossbreed sheep that has been walking freely in the highlands around Gol in Norway. The wool is Nordic Eco labeled and the fabrics are Woolmark certified. The brand collaborate with a selection of local crafts guilds from Norway like their ribbon maker by the mountains of Dovre and the thread maker by the mountains of Romsdalen.

Magnea Einarsdóttir (IS) runs her namesake brand MAGNEA in Reykjavík. Innovative textiles, knitwear and beyond, are carefully designed by Magnea who is a Central Saint Martins graduate. The collections are built on the designers ideology of a fresh and sustainable take on knitwear, including locally made outerwear of 100% Icelandic wool, recently nominated for the 2021 Iceland Design Award.

Through her approach, Magnea has reached out to highlight a pure, locally sourced material as well as working intimately with local artisans, mills and factories. In her creative process she celebrates tradition and seeks inspiration within nature and craftsmanship. The aim is to create value of an undeveloped resource and embrace the handmade, local and traceable to present a new modern luxury. Each season the designer creates and develops new fabrics. While staying true to the brands identity they are carefully executed into simple silhouettes and contemporary designs for women of all ages
For the fourth time at DesignMarch, local ambassadors are inviting designers from their home countries to pair with Icelandic creatives over a common theme. They will be opening the doors of their residences to host a series of intimate discussions in “living room” settings, offering you a unique opportunity to meet the designers and get inspired.

Design Diplomacy is powered by Helsinki Design Week, the concept owner. Question cards are used in a tailored game to power a design-centric discussion. With an unusual set of questions, the events are set to explore designers’ inspirations, daily routines and work processes.