That it could finally turn into an organization of its personal was fairly apparent. Camilla Lundsten’s household consists of entrepreneurs and she is obsessed with working her personal.
– It is a rewarding and difficult lifestyle, nearly a personality trait I’d say. You know greater than you assume. And I’ve discovered what I’m good at!
Camilla Lundsten based the textile firm Littlephant 2012, it has been an eventful, improbable but in addition difficult journey.
The place to begin for Camilla’s profession was Beckman’s and schooling in graphic kind and promoting.
– I frolicked so much with the shape line and labored in parallel with assignments for varied furnishings producers. But I realized communication at Beckmans, I then benefited from this throughout my three years in London the place I labored at a design and communications company.
Thoughts have been aroused – after a number of intense years with kids’s books, tv packages and jobs as Creative Director – at that personal firm. In 2008, Camilla fashioned the model and the thought with Littlephant, a number of years later she launched an organization with her personal manufacturing in focus, collectively with a colleague.
– We have been unusually colourful and had a sustainability focus, it was uncommon then. It takes braveness to run a enterprise, you’re taking a danger and it’s essential to dare to have layers for instance. We clearly discovered a distinct segment, as a result of there have been many who preferred our designs and colours.
Camilla’s colleague was burned out and rapidly disappeared from his commitments. A tough blow.
– I needed to take over an organization the place I sadly found loads of dysfunction, our warehouse associate went bankrupt. Then got here the pandemic, then 80 p.c of the shop prospects went bankrupt. The barely too many challenges directly. So ultimately, the corporate needed to finish. But this aroused the lack of revenge. It did not really feel honest, so I began from the start.
Littlephant’s distinctive design world stays, as are lots of the greatest sellers. But Camilla has additionally chosen to cooperate extra with native firms. For instance, the wallpaper is made collectively with Ulricehamn’s wallpaper manufacturing facility.
– I need much more deal with pure materials and be capable of decide out. The power has all the time been textiles for the house, I proceed with that. And clearly it is attainable to restart, as I mentioned, it is essential to imagine in what you possibly can, to have braveness and to work exhausting.
All designs are created by Camilla’s hand. She has a transparent design language and a clientele that likes what she does.
– Of course, probably the most enjoyable factor is to design and develop new collections. But additionally to construct a wholesome firm, good collaborations and assist prospects, with out my prospects, what I do wouldn’t exist. I’ve began to collaborate with new weaving and printers and have all manufacturing in Sweden, Estonia and France.
– I work completely with sustainable materials and linen with regards to my textile. It is durable and ages fantastically and even holds to vary furnishings. The textile dwelling provides one thing essential, it turns into homely and cozy with material.
Describe your sample world.
– Playful, with a twinkle within the eye, colourful. I believe I’ve discovered my very own expression that many individuals like. Sweden has all the time been fairly minimalist but it surely has modified, extra and extra folks need coloration and patterns round them. Many prospects benefit from the sustainable focus. And there are new decorators that purchase my materials, it is loads of enjoyable.
Leisure is additionally dedicated to working with your arms. Grandma was a tailor and from her Camilla has her love for stitching and sculpting in material. “I really relax at the sewing machine.” Next step? To as soon as once more open a small store in Stockholm, it is so enjoyable to satisfy prospects.
Photo: Fabian Björnstjerna