9 February 2015

Is it possible to speak of social design in connection with a multinational of furniture? IKEA’s answer to the question is Stadigt, the latest in a series of limited editions that the Swedish company is having made by social entrepreneurs all over the world, with the aim of establishing long-term partnerships. Stadigt is a collection of accessories that comprises cushion covers, hand-embroidered rugs, poufs, placemats handwoven from natural banana fibers and boxes and other containers made from the same fiber and covered with fabric. The idea is to draw on the Indian tradition and the manual skills of local communities represented by the craft-based ventures Rangsutra and Industree Producer Transform, partners in the initiative. And to reinterpret local knowhow, therefore, in a contemporary key and a way that suits international tastes, while guaranteeing a high standard of quality. Notions of design, business and production management, respect for the use of resources and export controls have been transferred by IKEA to the aforementioned social enterprises, so that they can foster economic development and self-sufficiency and create ancillary industries and prosperity at a local level. The entire proceeds of the sales of Stadigt will be used to fund other projects in developing countries. The limited edition will be available in the stores in Milan and Rome from March 2015.