This season’s must-have interior pieces come courtesy of Artek and Paul Smith, who have teamed up on a capsule collection revamping some of the Finnish furniture company’s most sought-after designs
Fashion and furniture can make great bedfellows, especially when Nordic design is involved. The latest brands to tap into this synergy are Paul Smith and Artek – founded by legendary designers Aino and Alvar Aalto – which have joined forces on a capsule collection. The line-up, launching today, sees the British brand lend its signature playful flair to some of the Finnish furniture company’s most celebrated pieces.
“I have been a long-time admirer of Aino and Alvar Aalto, so a collaboration with Artek is a dream of mine coming true – I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Smith tells Vogue Scandinavia. “We share many values – our commitment to innovation, quality, and human-centric designs. Practicality is highly valued at Paul Smith, and I think the same can be said about Artek.”
In the collaboration, Artek's 'Screen 100' gets a stunning new look with the varying wood stains, a nod to Paul Smith's signature stripes. Photo: Paul Smith
Photo: Paul Smith
Honing in on three of Artek’s most revered pieces – the ‘Stool 60,’ the ‘Screen 100,’ and the ‘Coat Rack 109,’ the latter exclusively revived from the archives for the occasion – the capsule reinterprets the furniture with Paul Smith’s signature stripes. “The ‘Stool 60,’ ‘Screen 100,’ and ‘Coat Rack 109’ are all iconic pieces that have been on my mood boards for years. So, when I got the opportunity to ‘reimagine’ Artek pieces, I knew instantly which ones I wanted to select,” Smith explains. “Whilst the Stool is the most famous Aalto piece, I also love the Screen and the connection between fashion and design worlds it represents.”
Once flipped over, the Paul Smith x Artek 'Stool 60' reveals a surprise. Photo: Paul Smith
While the trademark Paul Smith stripes usually burst with vibrant colours, the designer opted for a slightly different approach in his team-up with Artek. “I wanted to develop a more muted version [of the stripes]. It was important to me to respect the minimalist aesthetic of Artek, so we ended up working with four wood stains that became a subtle nod to the stripe,” he says. Still, as is typical in Paul Smith creations, little surprises are tucked throughout the collection. Take the ‘Stool 60,’ for instance – its birch frame showcases refined wood tones, but flip it over, and you’ll find a bold splash of ultramarine blue. Elsewhere, the stained stripes breathe new life into Aalto’s beloved wavy pinewood screen, rendering the piece a striking statement while preserving its timeless appeal. Honouring Artek’s heritage, each item in the collection has been crafted in Finland.
“A collaboration can only be successful if both sides are fully invested and learn something from the experience. It has been so wonderful to work with Artek and learn about their innovative manufacturing techniques,” Smith says. “I have a lot of respect for craft. Artek have refined and developed their techniques for almost a century, while still producing all their pieces in Finland. It is a beautiful achievement and story – I have a lot of admiration for Artek.”
You can now shop the Artek x Paul Smith collaboration online at paulsmith.com, and in selected Paul Smith shops.