Reykjavík Grapevine - 14.03.2014, Qupperneq 55

The PyroPet by Þórunn Árnadóttir
and Daniel Koval might look like a
cute little kisa (kitty), but it’s got
hidden bite. Starting as an innocent
pink or grey kitten candle, once
lit, The PyroPet (originally known
as “The Devil’s Pet”), melts slowly
to reveal a fanged, skeletal beast
within. The product was creative,
the panel agreed, but not ‘too arty,’
and also has demonstrated that it
has significant commercial appeal.
In fact, Þórunn and Dan crowd-
sourced all of the money needed
to launch this product in just a few
days. The panelists admired the
creators’ ability to turn an every-
day item into something new. “A
candle,” one laughed. “Nobody
thought you could do anything else
with a candle.”
2013 was quite the busy year at JÖR
by Guðmundur Jörundsson, the re-
cipient of this year's Fashion Design
of the Year Award. The introduction
of womenswear as part of the label's
2013 Autumn/Winter collection
expanded its vocabulary, much
to the delight of JÖR’s many fans.
Guðmundur also opened his flagship
store on Laugavegur where strong
modern women and progressive
dandies can find all they dream of,
from socks to shirts to watches. The
two 2013 collections revisited the
men's suit, the genre's most iconic
outfit, by deconstructing and reas-
sembling it in daring ways for both
sexes. These are versatile—even
less fashion conscious folks can be
comfortable wearing the designs,
which tastefully incorporate dashes
of colour and geometrical patterns.
This fresh dialogue between femi-
nine fluidity and masculine struc-
tures is one that speaks to modern
fashionistas. Our panelists agreed
that Guðmundur admirably walks
the fine line between commercial
and editorial.
Product Of The Year:
The PyroPet
Created by Þórunn Árnadóttir and Daniel Koval
Fashion Design Of The Year:
JÖR By Guðmundur Jörundsson
Created by Guðmundur Jörundsson
Runners Up:
Klettur
Created by
Rúna Thors and
Hildur Steinþórsdóttir
Klettur is a practical outdoor bench
which takes inspiration and design
considerations from textile patterns,
Icelandic nature, and ergonomics.
Inspired to create a piece of affordable
and sturdy “urban furniture,” architect
Hildur Steinþórsdóttir and product
designer Rúna Thors focused on creating
a piece that could withstand all types of
weather and would also be difficult for
vandals—or a particularly strong
Icelandic wind—to move. Klettur is cast in
one piece, creating smooth planes which
prevent rainwater accumulation. You
might not think of concrete as not the
most comfortable material to sit on, but
the design team referred to the expertise
of physiotherapist Arna Steinarsdóttir in
order to allow for two equally ergonomic
seating possibilities.
Hyrna Coffee tables
Created by
Erla Sólveig Óskarsdóttir
Erla Sólveig Óskarsdóttir is one of
Iceland’s preeminent furniture design-
ers, and her multi-level pyramid-shaped
Hyrna coffee tables are an excellent
representation of her functional, simple,
and stylish home designs. The tables
are made entirely of oak (no screws!)
and were designed to be easily pulled
over one’s lap while sitting on the couch
or pushed to the side as needed. The
smaller table conveniently nests under
the taller one, making for an elegant
storage solution as well. In addition to
this honourable mention, Erla’s work has
won numerous awards both in Iceland
and abroad, such as Iceland’s Design of
the Year award in 1999 and the German
design company iF’s Product Design
Award in 2010.
We Look Forward
To More In 2014:
Keilir kertastjaki
Created by
Guðrún Vald
Guðrún Vald, for Keili kertastjaka
Taking its name from the Keilir mountain,
Keilir is a conical candlestick made of
mahogany wood and hand-painted in
bright pastel colors. The piece is the lat-
est brainchild of Guðrún Valdimarsdóttir,
who graduated with a BA in product de-
sign from the Icelandic Academy of the
Arts in 2009 and has been developing
her own product line ever since. These
candlesticks, like all of Guðrún’s designs,
aim to outlast changing trends while
also incorporating locally-produced and
environmentally-friendly materials.
Outdoor bench design
Created by
Dagný Bjarnadóttir &
Hildur Gunnarsdóttir
Landscape architects Dagný Bjarnadót-
tir and architect Hildur Gunnarsdóttir
caught our panel's attention with their
progressive community project. Sourcing
local Alaskan Asp from Grímsnes that
might otherwise have been turned into
wood chips, the two architects designed
outdoor benches that inmates serving
time at Litla Hraun maximum security
prison manufactured. Part of the future
proceeds are meant to go into a fund
that supports the children of inmates.
Runners Up:
Magnea Einarsdóttir
Magnea by Magnea Einarsdóttir
This inspired designer gives a
contemporary urban twist to the
Icelandic folk wardrobe by mixing
ever-popular organic yarns with sur-
prising modern materials like rubber.
“Magnea has a unique vision,” one of
our panellists noted. The craftsmans-
like nonchalance of her creations fit
differently on the body than other
local brands. Magnea's fondness for
cosy handmade knitwear is unmis-
takable and infectious: the pieces
you acquire will carry you through
the seasons of your life.
Farmers Market
Farmers Market is a captivating label
for the more trendalicious knitwear
seeker. The guiding vision is to
create traditionally-styled pieces
which will keep you warm under any
circumstances without sacrificing
style. They’ve been around for some
years already, and are not afraid of
renewal and have introduced merino
wool to their collections as an
alternative to traditional lopi. You'll
spot their products on the most
fashion-savvy Reykjavíkingur any day
of the year. “This is the Ralph Lauren
of Iceland,” as one of our panellists
noted.
We Look Forward
To More In 2014:
Kyrja
Created by
Sif Baldursdóttir
This designer started her label just
over a year ago and focuses on rare
weightless fabrics like silk, bamboo
and mohair, giving her own refresh-
ing and relevant take on loose
silhouettes. The garment’s lightness
is perfect for the on-going trend
of layering. One of our panellists
remarked that Kyrja is “hitting all the
right notes” and has a unique stance
in Icelandic fashion, an advantage
stemming from her Italian schooling.
Geysir by
Erna Einarsdóttir
Erna has been praised since her
beginnings by the likes of Vogue and
i-D for her chic, modern and
feminine usage of knitwear. Our
panellists agree that her designs at
Geysir take wool to a new place, fit
all ages and are popular as well as
creative.
On The Panel:
Helgi Steinar Helgason,
architect, panel director on behalf of
Grapevine
Ástríður Magnúsdóttir,
architect, on behalf of the Iceland
Design Centre
Kristrún Thors,
product designer, on behalf of the
Iceland Academy of the Arts
Tinna Brá Baldvinsdóttir,
owner of Hrím design store, on be-
half of design retailers in Reykjavík
Ragnheiður Axel,
fashion desginer, on behalf of the
Association of Icelandic Fashion
Designers
Þórey Eva Einarsdóttir,
managing director of thez Reykjavík
Fashion Festival
Kjartan Páll Eyjólfsson,
director of Epal design store, on be-
half of design retailers in Reykjavík
THE RULES:
Products eligible for the awards
must have been introduced in 2013.
A product is a real, tangible thing.
Fashion does not qualify as a product,
though it can qualify as a product
line. A separate fashion award is also
awarded.
Nanna Dís Nanna Dís