Frank in the Loom Exhibition Presents Altruism in Design

Svenskt Tenn recently launched Frank in the Loom at Stockholm Design Week, an exhibition that cleverly merges sustainability, handcraft, and theory. Featured are a collection of limited-edition rag rugs, all carefully constructed from Josef Frank fabrics and double-woven into floor coverings, creating a dynamic, colorful grid. Inspired by Margit Thorén’s Schackruta rug, the design pays homage to a Svenskt Tenn classic with a modern, sustainable flair. Woven by Vandra Rugs in Ukraine, this collection is a testament of the resilience of textile culture, be it in fabric or family.

The handwoven rag rug has always been a symbol of warmth, traditionally taking scraps of worn out woolen garments and weaving them into layers of color and texture, functional art. Created for centuries, much is unknown about their history, having been overlooked as a women’s craft and a sign of poverty, instead of a sign of ingenuity and adaptation. After a spike of popularity around the Arts and Crafts movement, and the same around the late sixties to early seventies, rag rugs are again surging on to the scene as a response to the hyperindustrialization of the modern era.

In this thoughtful exhibition, Frank in the Loom brings the process to you – featuring a loom with a runner in progress in the center of the exhibition. Supported by many historic examples of Frank’s furniture, the method of production is the centerpiece here. Upcycled Josef Frank textiles are blended with similar linens to create a solid yet soft experience, flecks of color peeking out through the folds. We can see samples of travel fabrics from Frank’s patterned textiles, Delhi, Brazil, and Green Birds, serving as reminders of the origin of the material, and how we can better utilize existing materials in new and exciting ways.

Karin Södergren, Svenskt Tenn’s Head Curator explains, “The rug takes center stage in Svenskt Tenn’s spring exhibition. In the store’s Strandvägen Gallery, we’ve created a clean, minimalist presentation that highlights the artistry of weaving. The exhibition delves into the craftsmanship at Vandra Rugs’ atelier in Ukraine, where the new Frank in the Loom rugs are meticulously woven, and explores how Josef Frank’s bold, imaginative patterns are transformed into Svenskt Tenn’s signature double-
woven rugs.”

Josef Frank was an early pioneer of the Viennese Modernist movement, shaping generations of design and promoting a sense of humanity in the process. Refusing to be limited by convention, he found traditional Modernism to be puritanical, homogenous, and boring. Since childhood, he had an intense interest in botany, and by the 1920s had created an entirely new flora of his own, combining features from his favorite plants to create lush, imaginary landscapes. Arguably one of the most important Austrian-Swedish interior designers, this innate sense of wonder certainly contributed to his vision of harmony within the home.

Svenskt Tenn proudly preserves the Frank catalogue, an astounding and extensive collection of his interiors, furniture, and drawings. In total 3,000 sketches as well as 250 prints signed by Josef Frank are kept in Svenskt Tenn’s archive. Celebrating their centennial last year, Svenskt Tenn has adopted a humanist approach for over one hundred years, dedicated to comfort, warmth, and color.

Vandra Rugs proudly preserve the time-consuming, intricate, and demanding tradition of handwoven rugs with their beautiful catalogue of luxury pieces, all made to order. The atelier employs mostly women, as weavers and in management positions as well. They regularly organize weaving classes, not only for beginners to get into the industry, but for those already working to develop their skills further. By creating jobs and standing by their workers during political instability, they foster an environment of true luxury, created under conditions of care and respect for the ancient tradition.

To learn more about the Frank in the Loom exhibition, which runs through May 12, 2025, visit svenskttenn.com.

Photography by Erik Djurklou, courtesy of Svenskt Tenn.