The TILLTALANDE collection was created by women artisans from the Jordan River Foundation, one of many social entrepreneurs that IKEA collaborates with around the world. The partnerships give IKEA access to rare handicraft skills and the ability to offer unique products. It also creates jobs and a stable income for women artisans. The TILLTALANDE collection also included a rug and seating cushions.
Jordan, population nine million, has taken in almost 700,000 refugees since 2011, some of them from war-torn Syria. This has brought social challenges that the Jordan River Foundation is trying to alleviate. The IKEA collaboration resulted in the TILLTALANDE collection of textile products made by women forced to flee their homes.
Paulin Machado, IKEA designer, and Faridon Arbida, designer at Jordan River Foundation, worked with the women at one of the JRF’s production centres when creating the collection. “It was a dynamic collaboration and we learned a lot from each other. I made a base which the women could then put their own stamp on. On the cushions with camel print, the saddles and palm trees are hand-embroidered and placed where the artisans feel is most suitable. The skill of the women is amazing. If we voiced an idea out loud, within 15 minutes they had something to show us and wondered if that was what we meant. It was incredible!” says Paulin.
