Swedish Secrets

From the clothes we wear to the spaces we live in and the cities we build, design is everywhere! For the entire month of September, Swedish Secrets lifts the lid on contemporary Swedish design. Over 40 designers, architects and fashion designers committed to developing a more sustainable society invite professionals and design lovers to the Institut Suédois for showrooms, talks and seminars.
Past event
Past event
02 Sep 2022
02 Oct 2022
Location:
Institut Suédois, Rue Payenne, Paris, Frankrike
Two hands shape a pair of binoculars out of a piece of canvas
Photo FÀrg & Blanche, text Stina Wirsén

All our spaces are turning into a showroom designed by internationally famous Franco-Swedish designers FĂ€rg & Blanche. Each showcased brand has selected one or more objects, as well as a “secret” connected to them. The showroom has two further spaces, the first devoted to designers from the west coast of Sweden and the second devoted to wood, from the base of the tree trunk to the tips of its branches. Wood Insights highlights creative pathways and brings together designers and architects around a presentation and a series of talks. The aim is to discuss the use of different materials, manufacturing processes and resource optimisation.

At the end of the month, as part of Paris Fashion Week,  the showroom will be transformed in order to display the latest creations by top fashion brands: it’s Swedish Fashion Now! From 28 to 30 September, Heart 17 also offers creative workshops for young people and a talk on sustainibility, fashion and Tech. Heart 17 is an initiative that brings together people, brands, artists and scientists around innovative projects designed to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Objectives by 2030.

To complete the exploration, we offer special guided visits to the artist-in-residence studios at the Institut Suédois, with interiors entirely designed by pairs of Swedish designers and brands. During Paris Design Week (8 – 17 September), as well as the usual visits, the mediation teams proposes an innovative concept: ‘aperitif visits’. Discover Swedish flavours created by our new cafĂ©, FIKA, inspired by the look of each studio.

On 15 and 16 September, Architects Sweden is organising a series of talks between Swedish and French architects. They’ll be talking about and comparing the challenges they currently face and explaining possible solutions. These discussions focus on projects in the field of urban planning and architecture, especially in terms of urban development, for which small towns can sometimes provide enlightening examples.

An example of an innovative architectural work in Sweden: Sara kulturhus in SkellefteÄ, with a virtual guided tour available here.

Detailed programme

Swedish Secrets: the showroom

  • Friday 2 September – Sunday 2 October
  • Admission free // Wednesday – Sunday // 12:00 – 18:00

Hem x 6 – Guided visits at 2, 3 and 4 pm

  • Friday 2 – Sunday 4 September
  • Friday 9 – Sunday 11 September

Hem x 6 – ‘Aperitif’ visits at 5 pm

  • Friday 2 + Saturday 3 September
  • Friday 9 + Saturday 10 September

Talks & Discussions

Participating companies and designers: Act of Caring, Alexander Lervik, Anna Elzer Oscarson, Anna Harström (New Contemporary/Stockholm Creative Edition), Atacac, Beckmans College of Design Stockholm, BlÄ Station, Cecilia Eduards (Eduards Accessories), Cecilia Pettersson, Dahl Agenturer, Diemonde, Dometic, Dux, Emeli Höcks, Emily-Claire & Erik GoksÞyr, EGA Erik Giudice Architecture, Esbjörn Grip, Filippa K, Form Us With Love, GÀrsnÀs, Hampus Penttinen, Heart 17, Ingridsdotter, Jakob Tangen, Johanson Design, Karl Andersson & Söner, Kjellander Sjöberg architects, Liljewall arkitekter, Lill O Sjöberg/Maria Zeilon (Skryta), Lisa Hilland, Markus Johansson, Matilda Hunyadi (Sloydlab), Maze Interiors, Murman arkitekter, MÄlerÄs, Nola, Nudie Jeans, Okko, Paradisverkstaden, Rave Review, Renewcell, Rika Studio, Robert Curran, Sami Kallio, Selam Fessahaye, Stackelbergs, Stina Rand, Stockholm Fashion District, Susan Szatmåry, Tarkett, The Swedish School of Textiles/University of BorÄs, Transparent, Ulf Linder, Unifrom, White Arkitekter, WÀstberg Lighting, Yvonne Börjesson Paris-Stockholm.

Swedish Secrets is organised in collaboration with Paris Design Week, Maison&Objet, Architects Sweden, Svensk Form Väst, Swedish Fashion Association, and Swedish Wood. With support from the Swedish Embassy in France, and Paris Habitat.

Swedish Secrets is part of the Swedish Design Movement, an initiative bringing together designers, fashion designers and architects convinced of the crucial role of design in the transition to a more sustainable society. All have signed this manifesto!
Instagram : @swedishdesignmovement