Ingegerd Råman x the HÖGDALEN presents “Joy”
Ingegerd Råman is the designer who by making things she wants herself has become a classic in the Swedish home. Now she is entering uncharted waters as she is releasing her jewellery collection “Joy” – a the HÖGDALEN exclusive.
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- Ingegerd Råman x the HÖGDALEN presents “Joy”
Ingegerd Råman was trained in ceramics at Capellagården, as well as at Konstfack and at the Istituto Statale d'Arte per la Ceramica in Faenza in Italy. The journey began at the potter's wheel and continued with glass design for Johansfors and Orrefors glassworks, among others. Ingegerd's crafts often follow a strict and minimalist form, and her designs are appreciated by many. Now she is embarking on a new challenge, designing jewellery as part of the Högdalen.
From music men to Ingegerd
Ingegerd Råman has long been a role model for Efva Attling. "We worked at Orrefors at the same time, we shared a taxi from the airport once," says Efva. "I had so much respect for her, was almost nervous... Last year I wondered if she could be as curious as I am, and I finally asked the question of whether she wanted to design some jewellery for the Högdalen. And she was just as curious!”
Previous collaborations with the Högdalen have been with, Jocke Berg and Thåström among others, two persons you might not directly associate with Ingegerd Råman. "It has been and still is so exciting," continues Efva. "Especially since we are doing something completely new and because I think we will reach a completely new audience. That's why I created Högdalen, so that I can come up with anything. From the rockers to dame Ingegerd.”
Ingegerd lights up as she talks about the project “This project has been so much fun; it has worked out fantastically well from start to the end. I usually enter projects with curiosity and joy, that's why I say yes. But I've never experienced a project like this, where it's only been fun with no downsides or setbacks. It gave birth to the name of the brooch; 'Joy'.”
Ingegerd's collection “Joy” consists of a brooch in two sizes and a pair of earrings. The bean-shaped jewellery is in silver, and the brooch is attached with a magnet. “I had an idea for the brooch, which has the shape of a bean,” says Ingegerd. “A bean contains so much promise of new life. The bean has always been a beautiful, life-giving shape for me. Maybe because it also resembles the unborn child.”
Lifelong experience meets new material
Exploring shapes and patterns is nothing new for Ingegerd with her long experience as a designer. Nevertheless, the collaboration was a little like breaking new ground. "I have clay and glass as my materials, I have worked with them for over 50 years. Then to make something in new materials, you want the new things to be as good as what you did before, can be stressful, but it was so nice that Torbjörn (blacksmith in Efva's studio, ed. note) supported. I had an idea to lay out a bunch of rings and mangle them into a big tangle of a mess, but since the material is hard, the rings would break! But you learn. When you work with a craftsman who is very talented, who has that self-confidence, then you learn things. That’s what’s so exciting about trying new materials.”
The tangle Ingegerd refers to is the cosmos-like pattern of the bean. It is an image she has previously worked with, but on glass. “I think it's so strong, because it goes on in endless circles. I translated it to create the current pattern of the brooch and added the dots, which contribute to the irrational elements of the movement.”
A timelessly trendy brooch
Brooches are an accessory that the fashion world will see more of in coming seasons. Ingegerd herself prefers brooches to other jewellery. “Efva asked what I wanted to do, and brooches are the only thing I use. I have working hands; bracelets shorten my hands for example and my hands are my tools. However, I often use brooches, it's a good way to make your old clothes shine again.”
Ingegerd's design has, in addition to aesthetic and function, also a sustainability aspect. “I think it's important to make things that will last over time. The jewellery should last a long time without feeling dated. I think we have managed to create a brooch that feels modern today but still can live for a long time.”
“The brooch is also convenient to take with you on a trip, you can just put on a nice brooch for dinner. Or you wear the smaller one and then you add the bigger one. 'Oh, how elegant' the others might say and think that you have changed clothes,” Ingegerd explains with a laugh.
To share something you like
Ingegerd Råman makes design that she would like and want herself. Her previous works have had straight lines and simple shapes as a common thread. “Joy” differs in this way with its soft, organic expression. “Now, people might think that I would make a square brooch with a line in the middle. Instead comes something warm and feminine, which I like.”
“I usually say that I am the first customer,” she says. “I should want to wear it almost all the time and I hope others will want to as well. We humans are more alike than different, and we share things with each other. If someone else also likes the brooch and would wear it, it will feel like a sort of belonging. When people like what one does, it becomes something two people share.”
Efva adds: “I have always had Ingegerd’s glasses at home and have admired her for many, many years. I recognize Ingegerd's hand in our new brooch and am so looking forward to wearing it. Brooches have not received much attention lately, not since Albright and her huge brooch collection, but lately we’ve seen it on the rise.”
When asked if she will bring anything from the collaboration with her for the future, Ingegerd replies: "You always do, although you can't really point it out. It's always a bit scary to do something you haven't done before and you always wonder how it will be received. It's like launching a bark boat and hoping it will sail to the other side of the world. What you learned and didn't learn comes afterwards.”
“But then it's always fun to work with people with whom it works so well, it's like a happy little break. Who knows, maybe I'll get to come back to Efva with a sketch someday.”
Photo: Eva Dahlgren
