This week I’m once again on the train and heading to the capital for a city-wide festival that celebrates the very best in British and international creativity. Now in its tenth year, London Craft Week brings together hundreds of established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries. But on this occasion, there is one-person in particular I’m looking to chat with Danish designer, Rikke Frost.
Hailed as THE rising star of Nordic design, Rikke established her studio twenty years ago but only came to prominence publicly in 2019 after taking part in the popular DRTV series ‘Danmarks næste klassiker’. Now in its fourth year and still a must watch across Denmark, over six weeks five top designers are tasked with creating a specific piece of furniture or lighting in an effort to find a design classic of the future.
Safe to say since her appearance on the show this incredible lady has gone on to win a plethora of awards, as well as work with a whole host of well-known names, and its through her ongoing collaboration with one of them, Carl Hansen & Søn that sees her in London too.
Over to Rikke to tell us more:
Shall we start with a little about you, where you grew up, where you live now, and where your love for craft and design comes from?
I grew up in the southern part of Jutland close to the German border in the small Danish town of Bov. My father was a bricklayer and very good with all kinds of craftmanship and I think my passion for materials arose from me helping him and my family build and refurbish our own homes when I was a child.
My family also had a passion for antiques, and I remember us regularly exploring flea markets and roadside stalls in search of a treasure or two, and how I always wanted to find out as much as I could about the different objects and all their details.
Today I live and work in Aarhus with my husband and two children, and it was here I also studied to become an industrial designer before going on to establish my studio.
How are these experiences reflected in your design style, and how do you incorporate crafting traditions into your work?
My studio and my work are focussed around three words: minimal, magical and mindful, and I work with them from ideation through to final product.
In Denmark objects are created with functionality and everyday lives in mind. By minimising all aspects of the design process, as well as the production methods, means the final product will ultimately live longer, because a trend-led approach gives a product a date.
Another way of ensuring a product is long lasting is in the choice of materials we use, so when working in wood or woven paper cord I always try to implement magical moments, tactile experiences and subtle details, that the end user can explore and reflect upon.
Since establishing your studio, you have collaborated with several leading Nordic design brands, but what makes Carl Hansen & Søn so special?
My collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn started in 2020 after they saw the Sideways Sofa on Danmarks næste klassiker. Since then, I’ve also created the Petal Lamp and the Sideways Footstool.
Collaborating with people who share the same passions as yourself is always special, and the teams in the workshop and product development departments at Carl Hansen & Søn are some of the most skilled individuals I have ever worked with.
Since the beginning of our partnership, they have been a big influence on me, and over the years we have had many in-depth discussions about the way I approach wood detailing, wooden joints and how materials can be combined to achieve the best results possible.
Speaking of Carl Hansen & Søn, you are currently in the UK for the launch of your latest pieces, can you tell us more about them?
Firstly, I’m always excited about coming back to London as I worked here for several years as a designer and buyer at Heal & Son, but to be showcasing the new Sideways Lounge Chair and Coffee Table makes it extra special indeed.
Just like the original sofa, both new additions use classic materials that have been shaped to enhance human interaction. I truly believe that we need to balance the use of digital devices and face each other in person and be more present, so that’s why the rounded shape in the chair leads you to turn to the person next to you in a way that is still comfortable, and the table, with its reversible top, has a shelf that nudges you to place your phone or tablet aside, encouraging you to take a break from scrolling and instead enjoy the present.
Following on from the launch what will you be working on next, and what can we look forward to seeing soon?
Alongside my studio work I am also part of the ‘Danish Design Makers’ group, a non-profit association of twenty designers from different nationalities and backgrounds, that together share and celebrate the values of Danish design.
We are next exhibiting at the international Orgatec trade fair in Cologne this October. Focussed around the theme of ‘Reduction’ I am currently working on a product that will hopefully be minimal, magical and mindful.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Many thanks to Rikke Frost for taking the time to talk with me and I look forward to seeing more of the new Sideways Series when its available in stores from October.
If you would like to find out more about Rikke Frost head over to her website, alternatively visit the Carl Hansen & Søn website to find out more about the Sideways Series.
All images courtesy of Carl Hansen & Søn.
Like this post? Then why not read my chat with acclaimed Danish chef and author, Mikkel Karstad and find out more about his latest book, A Nordic Feast: Simple Recipes for Gatherings with Friends and Family.
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