These three textile wall hangings named Pelle, Mikkel and Gullspira are inspired by Swedish fairy tales and are a part of a project by UNICEF and IKEA.
The goat, fox and rabbit textiles are designed by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius and made by women in India. The result is a label embroidered with the IKEA, Hella Jongerius and the name of the woman who made it.
According to Jongerius' website, the IKEA-UNICEF project helps women of India to start small sewing businesses and enable their children to go to school.
Fairy Tale Textiles
IKEA-UNICEF Project Benefits Indian Seamstresses and Their Families
Trend Themes
1. Textile Entrepreneurship - The IKEA-UNICEF project can inspire the textile industry to empower women through entrepreneurship.
2. Cultural Inspiration - More businesses can take inspiration from cultural stories and apply it in their products as a differentiation strategy.
3. Sustainable Sourcing - IKEA-UNICEF's sustainable sourcing practices can trigger more businesses to adopt similar practices for a more ethical supply chain.
Industry Implications
1. Textile Manufacturing - Textile manufacturing companies can adopt the IKEA-UNICEF project as a model for sustainable sourcing and empowering women through small businesses.
2. Home Décor - Home décor companies can take inspiration from cultural stories and use it in their designs to create unique products for consumers.
3. Non-profit - Non-profit organizations can partner with businesses like IKEA to create social initiatives that empower women and help communities in need.