Gunila Axén’s stripes

Posted by Tiffany on November 23rd, 2009 Add your comment »

I’m the first to admit I can completely geek out over design.

That’s because design is not only the embodiment of innovation and the result of an especially sharp understanding of how we operate. It’s a mirror on our culture.

Sometimes you chance upon a design that so simply illuminates a shift in the way we think, that it’s like a revelation.

And that brings us to Gunila’s stripes.

polarn_stripes

I’ve mentioned Gunila Axén before here as one of the original founders of 10 Swedish Designers, one of my favorite textile brands.

But her stripes that became a trademark for Swedish children’s clothing brand Polarn O. Pyret (which translates roughly to “the buddy and the little one”), were truly groundbreaking.

Gunila’s stripes are friendly and accessible but not babyish. They’re not pink or blue, frilly or macho. As a kid, they just let you be who you are without the extra commentary. This was kind of revolutionary in the 70’s when they came out… and well, it still kind of is today. I’m sure it’s a big part of why Polarn O. Pyret is so popular in Sweden.

polarn_Konc_Gunila Gunila Axén with young models in her classic stripes and new collection.

Happily, P.O.P. has just released a brand new collection by Gunila Axén, and yes, the stripes are back and in new colors.

In an interview in Form Magazine, Gunila explains,”I now have grandchildren and I want to liberate not just them but all other children too from the cartoon characters that are everywhere in their world, including on their textiles.”

Gunila’s patterns often reflect her love of nature. The other pattern in the new collection shows rabbits running between stylized trees. v.cute.

polarn_rabbit

Perhaps the green and brown color choice is a nod to the collection’s eco side. All items are made of 100% organic cotton and meet highest environmental standards through their entire life cycle.

Gunila’s new collection is now available in the US for a limited time only. And nice and toasty for the winter of course (they are made in Sweden, after all).

::: All images courtesy of Polarn O. Pyret :::