While Iceland is probably best known for its majestic scenery and interesting culinary traditions, the island nation’s largest cities are marked by the stoic architecture of Guðjón Samúelsson, an imposing designer that stood as Iceland’s state architect from 1920 to 1950. Perhaps most…
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As longtime attendees of Iceland’s DesignMarch, we’re familiar with the wonderful textile work of Reykjavik-based Scintilla, a homeware brand founded by fashion and textile designer Linda Björg Árnadóttir. Last year, we were introduced to her…
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While the life of a digital designer often leads down different paths and to various projects, most work produced is often temporary and intangible. To make something more permanent, four graphic designers from Reykjavik-based multidisciplinary creative studio ); return…
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We all know the adage, Greenland is icy and Iceland is green. But really, not many know much more of the large island nation inhabited by just 320,000 people. On our most recent trip to Iceland to visit the capital city of Reykjavik for ); return…
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At home or in the office our day begins with the all-important cup of coffee, so even when we’re on the road we’re not willing to compromise. While in Reykjavik for DesignMarch we were tipped off…
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Whether it’s a cookie factory turned into a hostel or, in this case, furniture inspired by candy, Icelandic design is often conscious of the country’s collective sweet tooth. Driven by childhood memories of Reykjavik’s old chocolate factory—and the rich smells that would blanket…
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At home or in the office our day begins with the all-important cup of coffee, so even when we’re on the road we’re not willing to compromise. While in Reykjavik for DesignMarch we were tipped off to Kaffismidja Íslands, the local’s coffee shop of choice. As one of the…
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Much like Ólöf Jakobína’s Marmo table, So by Sonja is similarly inspired by Iceland’s imposing lanscape and brightly colored architecture. Created by Sonja Björk Ragnarsdóttir, the range’s first product, Candlestick 5, take its name from its form. The pentagonal shape makes for non-linear arrangements, a subtly purposeful detail which…
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A relative newcomer to the Nordic design community, Iceland has been making strides in recent years thanks to DesignMarch, an annual event hosted citywide in Reykjavik. We were lucky enough to attend once again this year, which is where we came across furniture and interior designer Ólöf Jakobína and…
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An Icelandic duo’s first accessories collection references the nation’s most prolific saga with Viking Age materials
Staka marks the first collection in an ongoing series between Icelandic product designers María Kristín Jónsdóttir and Bylgja Svansdóttir, comprising a curious mix of finely crafted unisex leather neck accessories. The aristocratic vibe of each piece stems from the design duo’s concept for the range, which draws inspiration from one of Iceland’s most notorious narratives, the Brennu-Njáls saga. Like all Icelandic sagas, the author remains anonymous, but the extensive storyline is centered around a familial feud which brings the idea of masculinity into question. The designers were also particularly taken by the tale’s leading lady, Hallgerður Langbrók, a femme fatale “who was notorious for her majestic appearance and temperament”, explains Svansdóttir.
Cut and molded from “Viking Age materials”, each piece is designed to tell a story about the wearer’s social status, but the beauty lies in their ambiguity. “We want each person to have the freedom to decide their own story and social status,” explains Svansdóttir. “The responses we’ve gotten so far have been very interesting, people guessing which pieces famous characters from The Icelandic Sagas would have worn, etc.”
Each equipped with their own portfolio of distinct works, the pair met while both exhibiting at Reykjavik’s Spark Design Space. Having bonded over a shared passion for unconventional jewelry and accessories design, they will continue to evolve the Staka line together, adding to the exciting range of unusual statement pieces.
Staka 2012 is available in limited supply at 38 þrep in Reykjavik, which stocks an equally exciting inventory of fashion and design goods.
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