Ikea has launched its second Mävinn collection, building on its social entrepreneurship efforts. Mävinn partners with social businesses in Southeast Asia to produce handcrafted products while providing jobs and training for women and marginalized groups.
Building on its debut in 2023, the second edition of Mävinn from Ikea features 17 one-of-a-kind, handmade products that tell stories of cultural heritage and empowers the artisans who created them, said Ikea. Since 2012, Ikea has developed business partnerships with social enterprises to design and produce products sold at Ikea stores worldwide. Mävinn is crafted in collaboration with five social businesses and artisans from Bangladesh, India and Jordan, supports efforts to provide jobs for people in vulnerable communities and empowering them to grow as skilled professionals.
The new Mävinn collection focuses on creating global products that can be produced in high volumes to generate more job opportunities. Each piece is handwoven, braided or embroidered and designed to embody the unique skills and heritage of the local culture of its origin.
“This collection celebrates the 12-year partnership we have built together, setting a strong example of how we can work long-term to enable people to acquire handcrafted everyday items while creating life-changing opportunities for those who make them,” said Maria Vinka, designer at Ikea of Sweden. “We hope this collection inspires a deeper appreciation for handcrafted items and the effort and cultural heritage woven into every piece.”
The Mävinn collection offers a vibrant palette and recurring patterns that unify the pieces. All products are made of cotton or jute and sourced from where the social businesses operate. The collection includes a range of products such as baskets, bags, rugs, cushion covers, bedspreads, bathrobes, plant pot hangers, throws and pouches.
Ikea Mävinn Cat Basket
Ikea asserts that one of the highlights of the collection is a basket in natural and multicolored designs, including a cat basket, which ensures everyone in the household has a place to sleep. The colorful cotton throws and bedspreads feature handmade tassels and patterns and the handcrafted pot hangers are made using macrame techniques.
“Mävinn showcases craft techniques passed down through generations, and it’s amazing to create together and learn from each other with these artisans who have kept these traditions alive. By collaborating and co-creating with our partners, we have bridged their craftsmanship with our way of designing to utilize their skills in the best way while creating products full of character and each with their own expression. As a designer, I’m proud to work with a project that helps women grow as skilled professionals and enables families and communities to reach financial independence,” said Paulin Machado, designer at Ikea of Sweden.
The Mävinn collection will be available in Ikea stores worldwide and online starting September 2024. It will be launched in two stages, with the second half of the collection launching in December.
