Inez Svensson

Starting in the 1950s and ’60s, Inez paved the way for a new generation of textile designers as she fought for a bolder use of colour and form. Inez’s eye for young talent, as well as her own colourful geometric patterns, made her a fast favourite with IKEA textile leaders, who wanted to show the world that bold patterns could be commercial.

In 1970, Inez and nine other designers formed the textile design collective 10-gruppen (Ten Swedish Designers). They wanted greater ownership of their designs and sold ready-made fabrics, rather than pattern sketches, to companies.

In the unruly 1970s, many young designers wanted more artistic freedom, while the textile industry wanted them to adapt to the market. Inez, however, had no problem working both as an independent artist, and helping big brands to bring better and bolder textiles to many more people. She saw textile patterns as “the art of usefulness” and felt they should be available to all.

One day in the early 1970s, Inez had a visit in her Stockholm studio from then textile leader at IKEA, Inger Nilsson. As usual, Inger wanted to hear about new trends and look through Inez’s papers and sketches. She found a scrap of paper with beautifully drawn drops and asked Inez if she would like to develop it for IKEA. In 1973, the dripping drops adorned the PLASK (splash) shower curtain. The drop pattern was an instant hit and was also used on cotton curtains for IKEA named SOLREGN.

Later in the Seventies, Inez led the development of 10-gruppen’s first exclusive textile collection for IKEA, which was launched in 1979. Although the designers of 10-gruppen had distinct individual styles, they shared a common vision. Inez was the one who could keep it all together. IKEA textile leader at the time, Vivianne Sjölin, described Inez Svensson not only as a key contributing designer to IKEA, but also as an invaluable sounding board and source of inspiration for its overall product development process.

In the mid-1980s, Inez Svensson and Birgitta Hahn produced a second 10-gruppen collection for IKEA, including the bold pattern RANDIG BANAN. Launched in 1985, the collaboration was an opportunity for IKEA to show that they were still a step ahead in textile pattern design. RANDIG BANAN was reissued in 2013, and over the years would became hugely popular – a beloved classic.

Inez Svensson passed away in 2005. In a death notice in the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter, artist Tomas Harila Carlgren wrote: “Many, many people eat, drink, sleep, love and make babies on Inez’s patterns. Inez has always cherished creative transgressions, the freedom of creation, and the knowledge gained from the boldness and persistence of pioneers.” No wonder Inez was a perfect fit for IKEA!