Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks
Scandinavian maximalism Starting off as a small graphic-design studio focusing on wedding stationary, Pretty Paper has quickly become a paper goods hub for the inspiration-thirsty consumer. Known for its bold colours and hand-painted patterns, Pretty Paper is, while still staying contemporary, the antidote to Scandinavian minimalism. The Stockholm-based brand is run by sisters Cecilia Börjesson and Cathrine Hansen, who work closely together to influence each new collection. “We always choose a geographical location for inspiration, either from memory or from fantasy – one with characteristic scents, colours and vegetation. I like to describe each collection as a travel novel,” says creative director and pattern mastermind Cecilia Börjesson. She goes on to describe how the various patterns take shape organically, letting the brush lead and never knowing what the outcome will be. “It’s a very liberating process,” she adds. Although wedding stationary is still part of the Pretty Paper assortment, other products have successfully joined in as well, including posters, journals, greeting cards and notebooks, with the latter two prov-
ing especially popular among customers. Products sit under collection names such as ‘Pink leaves on blue’ and ‘Mint leaves on eggshell’ and have struck a chord outside of Scandinavia too. Börjesson talks about how curiosity from across the sea has allowed Pretty Paper to be snatched up by shops in Europe, the US and Canada. “We have grown fast but organically, just like our patterns!” she says.
By Emma Rödin | Photos: Ernst Henry
Growing steadily, Pretty Paper is now ready for the next step, and looking to partner up with like-minded businesses to further create in the wonderful world of patterns. Perhaps accessories, beach wear or tiles – who knows? The possibilities are anything but minimal. Web: www.prettypaper.com Instagram: @prettypaper
Breaking point between contrasts The mission of the jewellery and watch designer Paula Hagerskans is simply to create works of jewellery art. By Malin Norman | Photo: Hagerskans Jewellery
Sweden-based Hagerskans Jewellery was founded by designer Paula Hagerskans around ten years ago. Her style can best be described as evocative yet organic and with details not seen anywhere else before; the designs are like innovations. By transforming parts of nature, she creates works of art. “I have a constant ambition to find the breaking point between contrasts,” says the designer and explains that she looks for that intriguing middle ground in between rough and beautiful, masculine and feminine. “I try to find a timeless approach that is still interesting, to go one step further and do things that don’t already exist.” An example of the innovative approach is the watches in solid stainless steel and vegetable-tanned leather from Italy, with 76 | Issue 118 | November 2018
a diamond that rotates at the centre of the watch. “For every second, there’s a sparkle from the diamond. It makes the watch more like a piece of jewellery,” Hagerskans explains. Another inventive element of her designs is the mounting for the rings with
gemstones, which is shaped as seeds of a pine cone. The Hagerskans Jewellery collection is available in selected shops in Stockholm and Norway as well as in the online shop, and has recently been launched in the USA. Web: www.hagerskansjewellery.com Facebook: designpaula Instagram: @hagerskansjewellery