Gudrun Sjödén- something different for fashion and interiors from Sweden! (Gudrun Sjödén)

Member Name: Machair1

Product:	Gudrun Sjödén
Date:	28/10/08 (1206 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bright, different, inspirational

Disadvantages: A little expensive postage charges for single items.

If you are looking to fill your house with colour or your clothes with some style and character then have a look at Gudrun Sjödén- a Swedish company from Stockholm.

A very good friend of mine mentioned this catalogue to me and I sent off for it as I was intrigued by the descriptions she gave to me of colourful prints and unique pieces!

Just to put you in the picture the company has been around since the 70s, but is not that well known in the UK. I think the popularity is increasing though as they now have a UK distribution centre in Scotland. They are a design company with mail order sales in Sweden, Germany, Norway, Denmark and Finland and stores in Sweden and Germany.

The website is www.gudrunsjoden.com.

Owned by Gudrun who is the designer and managing director of the company, its roots began in the 70s with a chain of boutiques in Stockholm.

So what are the clothes and household textiles like? In a word different. They are mostly vibrant but they have some good plain basics too- the quality of which are excellent! Some of the layered outfits they show are, I must admit, a bit too hippy like for me but the garments individually are amazing!

The website is wonderful. The rooms they show are inspirational and even if the bold patterns are not to your taste there are many ideas to be gained from them. I actually think they remind me of what it must be like to live in a wooden house in the far north of Scandinavia where a Morso sits burning in the corner, and outside there is a patter of snowflakes against the casement windows. There are bright cushions and rugs and everywhere looks fun and youthful!

They have a wonderful blue eco house on the website built from straw, earth and cow manure and designed by an architect. They have decorated in beautiful shades of blue and the interior looks stunning.

The clothes are modelled by real women some of them shall we say not in their youth!

They have a range of Eco-jersey which is made without the use of chemical sprays, dyed with colour obtained from leaves, fruits, nuts and flowers and can be recycled and broken down naturally.

I sent off for some of the basic knits and was delighted at the quality, at full price a jumper is about £39 but there are some great bargains to be had in the winter and summer end of season sales.
They also have a club you can join which gives discount and if you order early in the season some items are offered at a cheaper price.

Postage is £5 per order which I think is a bit steep if you were only ordering a small item and they only take credit cards at the moment.

I am rating it at 4* mainly because it may not be to everyone's taste but I think most people would enjoy a look at something so unique.

So if you fancy brightening up your wardrobe or your house then have a look at Gudrun Sjödén as I think you will enjoy looking if nothing else. It's very different and Nordic and when I look at it I can almost see The Northern Lights!

Summary: A great company -well worth a look.