Who is Bantie?

Ulrika (left) is a designer with a background in fashion. Wilhelmina (right) knows business and communications.
Now they’re all grown up, and together they’ve built a business around the things they love, complete with rules to live and work by.

A picture of Wilhelmina and Ulrika now in front of their showroom in Stockholm.
Rules to live by: Bantie’s Manifesto
✽ Even minimalists need a happy cushion now and then.
✽ Rather a little less that lasts longer, than the other way around.

Bantie’s Sydney throw pillows update a classic.
✽ If trendy was personal and individualism was a group behavior, things would be better.
✽ A great fabric cheers you up when there’s a low on the way, whether the weather is actual or emotional.

Bantie’s newest pattern, Nattviol… A real charmer!
✽ Print your fabrics somewhere that’s been in business for a hundred years, to be sure they’ve had plenty of practice with other people.
✽ Dare to have heroes. Make them your icons.

Bantie’s expanding collection
✽ Visit Bantie’s website to read the full Manifesto!
FS: I like the idea of having a “hero” to help with inspiration and focus. You have an icon, I know. Can you tell us about Aunt Bantie?
Wilhelmina: The stylish lady on our tags is Bantie. She was Ulrika’s favorite aunt from Ronneby, in southern Sweden, and she used to have a shop selling exquisite fabrics and exclusive lingerie.
Ulrika spent a lot of her childhood in Bantie’s delightfully glamorous world. Even though Ronneby is not exactly like New York or Paris, Bantie loved parties and travel, and was constantly seeking new impressions. So it’s not surprising that Bantie has always been a major inspiration for Ulrika. That’s why we’re borrowing her name for our company. We hope you approve, Auntie Bantie.

A little bit of Bantie, with every product sold. photo: www.fromsthlm.com
FS: I think you’re well past approval. With so many amazing patterns it was hard to pick just a few of the best to feature this month. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your Korall, Paradis and Kokeshi prints?
Ulrika: Several years before the Korall print came to life, I found a piece of coral on the beach. It had been torn apart by the water so you could see the beautiful structure inside it. I couldn’t get it off my mind.

Korall pattern in just the perfect colors. photo: www.fromsthlm.com
Ulrika: For our print Paradis, I have always been fascinated by birds, their colors, feathers, the way the fly and their expression. In our print it’s of course fantasy birds of all sorts.

Red and white throw pillows in birdy-ful Paradis! photo: www.fromsthlm.com
Ulrika: The Kokeshi comes from my fascination with Asia and especially Japan. I love their aesthetic culture, kimonos and prints. Also their way of using colors.
Some years ago I came across a picture of some Kokeshi dolls. They are dolls carved from one solid piece of wood, and are often bought as a gift. The picture really moved something in me, and I couldn’t let go of the dolls.

Kokeshi pattern where elements from Korall and Paradis make cameos. photo: www.fromsthlm.com
In our print the dolls come to life and have a tea ceremony under a tree. If you look close you will see that the birds from Paradis and the Korall is there too.
Thank you Ulrika and Wilhelmina!
::: Photos from Bantie unless otherwise noted. :::
This month… Buy Bantie’s beautiful patterns on throw pillows and placemats at From Sthlm!
2 comments on “Meet Bantie”
March 9
I adore your lovely fabrics! I am especially fond of the blue korall pattern. I would love to use it as a wall hanging. Is there any way I can purchase it by the meter?
Best regards,
Lee
March 9
Hi Lee,
Thank you! We’re rather fond of that one as well, and Bantie fabrics work beautifully as wall hangings. We’re working hard to get Bantie’s products distributed in the US, including fabric by the meter. We’ll let you know just as soon as it’s available!
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