MEET THE MAKER

Cathy Nordström @studiocathynordstrom

Can you tell us about your background? I studied graphic design and worked as a graphic designer for almost 10 years before I discovered pattern design. I started out licensing my patterns to brands around the world, and it was so much fun at first. But I wanted to own the whole production chain, to be able to oversee everything and choose the people I worked with. And I wanted to produce in Sweden.

Where do you look for inspiration? I find most of my inspiration in Sweden. When people think of Scandinavian design they often think of minimalistic environments and beautiful wooden furniture. But it is so much more! We have a great history of textiles, weaving and colourful art in public spaces.

What is it you love most about what you do? First of all I am nuts about fabrics, patterns and colour. So I am off to a good start there. But I also really love that I get to be the conductor of my own life. Yes, work blends with family life more than I would perhaps wish for, but it also gives me the freedom to choose who I want to work with. I only work with kind people who give me energy.

Can you recommend any other creatives that we

should know about? When it comes to art I would recommend Evelina Kroon, a Swedish artist and a master of colour and pattern. And as we are talking about colour, anyone who doesn’t know Tekla Severin’s work (@Teklan) is in for a treat.

If you weren’t a textile designer, what was plan B? That was my plan B but it turned out to be my plan A. Honestly, I don’t know and that scares me a little bit. I am so happy doing what I do now that I can’t imagine anything else. →