An exciting announcement out of Canada this week!
IKEA Canada and Setsuné Indigenous Fashion Incubator, a Toronto-based social enterprise, have announced a partnership to co-create a handmade limited edition collection called ÅTERSTÄLLA. The collection is made entirely from salvaged IKEA textiles that have been upcycled into beautiful, unique pieces that will be available exclusively in-store at IKEA Etobicoke beginning June 8th, 2017.
“IKEA believes in the power of business to effect positive change for people and the planet,” said Brendan Seale, Sustainability Manager, IKEA Canada. “Partnering with a social enterprise like Setsuné has allowed us to simultaneously empower the local Indigenous arts community and creatively explore a pathway toward a circular economy.”
In Swedish, ÅTERSTÄLLA means to restore, heal, or redecorate, speaking to the “upcycling” approach – turning something that would otherwise be waste into something of higher value. Working with salvaged IKEA textiles reflects the traditional Indigenous philosophy to “use everything” and applies it to contemporary living. The collection consists of 2000 handmade pieces of four fabric products: an apron, small bag, basket, and tea towel. The four items together symbolically represent the Indigenous “traditional kitchen” – for transporting, storing and preparing food.
“This is an incredibly exciting collection that celebrates culture and collaboration,” said Sage Paul, Co-founder, Setsuné Indigenous Fashion Incubator. “Through our shared values, partnering with IKEA Canada helps to promote and sustain the voices and visibility of Indigenous women and the work we create. We are hopeful this partnership will grow Setsuné’s influence and make an even larger impact in Canadian art circles.”
Globally, IKEA has partnered with a variety of social enterprises in order to support their business development, build relationships in our communities, and to introduce fresh ideas and perspectives to our own design and operations. The partnership with Setsuné provided employment for two designers and six artisans throughout production, while also providing the opportunity to learn and develop the design, merchandising, and general business skills alongside IKEA. Through this partnership, IKEA and Setsuné hope to bring greater awareness of the Indigenous arts community in Toronto and across Canada to IKEA’s co-workers and customers.
ABOUT SETSUNÉ INDIGENOUS FASHION INCUBATOR
Setsuné Indigenous Fashion Incubator fosters new works by Indigenous artists working in fashion, textiles, and crafts. Setsuné (set-soon-ay) means grandmother in the Dene language and we use it to acknowledge intergenerational crossovers, blood memory, and oral histories. Our programming empowers Indigenous artists through professional and artistic development, an exhibition of works and strategic economic partnerships, with amplified access for young Indigenous women and mothers. Setsuné is led by Indigenous women; we work in the spirit of a not-for-profit social enterprise within an Indigenous framework.
ABOUT IKEA CANADA
IKEA Group is a leading home furnishing retailer with 343 stores in more than 28 countries worldwide, which are visited by 783 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores, an eCommerce virtual store, 6 Pick-up and order points and nine Collection Points. The company also recently announced plans to open stores in Halifax and Quebec City. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 28 million visitors to its stores and 88 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in 1943, IKEA’s business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.
