Monica Förster, Swedish design icon

Modular and flexible Retreat sofa for Fogia

With a recognizable style, Monica Förster continues to seduce major editors and furniture brands. Halfway between design and contemporary art, his creations and objects combine purity of form and new technologies. We take a look back at the brilliant journey of an artist who has become an essential reference in the Swedish domain.

With pride of place on the international stage, Monica Förster is no longer to be introduced. Her name is intimately associated with contemporary Scandinavian styling, of which she has become an iconic icon. A multi-talented designer, his objects, both simple and surprising, quickly made his reputation worldwide. Based in Stockholm where she founded the Monica Förster Design Studio, the designer is from the far north of Sweden, near the Arctic Circle. From its origins, it draws its creative energy. Above all, she expresses her Swedish temperament in each of her works which, not only refer to the culture of her native land, but also to her clear penchant for the purest forms, as well as her inclination for natural inspirations.

Renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, always combined with a curious and innovative gaze, attracted by new materials and new technologies, Förster constantly revisits, reinterprets and reinvents product types in the furniture, objects and industrial design sectors. Its special touch quickly won over the big names in the sector. At first, she stood out thanks to her quirky experiments, like Wardrobe, in 2003, a collection of round, V or roll neck vases. It especially caught the eye with Cloud, an unusual creation then edited by Offecct and consisting of an inflatable nylon nomadic conference room, which can be carried in a shoulder bag, like an air mattress. Praised by her peers, she has since been one of the most sought-after designers, signing major projects and collections for prestigious international brands. Monica Förster has thus collaborated with illustrious designers and manufacturers from all over the world, such as Cappellini, Modus, Zero, Poltrona Frau, Alessi, De Padova, Bernhardt, Whirlpool, Georg Jensen, Vibia, Tacchini, Modus, Offecct or again Swedese.

From its partnership with these brands, organic pieces were born, imbued with the purity and softness of Nordic landscapes. Without forgetting the flagship objects of Swedish design, such as the Florinda chair or the Circle lamp from De Padova, the Dune armchair edited by the English Modus or the very elegant Savannah collection including a sofa, an armchair and a coffee table. The latter being the fruit of his association with Erik Jørgensen. Designed in durable materials, stone and ash, its incredible Lulluby pendant light, for LightYears, is inspired by the work of the famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Winner of several international distinctions and prizes, the artist was elected Designer of the year in 2006 and 2007 respectively. She also received, among others, the Best Domestic Design awarded by the English magazine Wallpaper, the Excellent Swedish Design, the prize Design Plus in Germany and the Future Design Days Award. His creations have been exhibited in international museums and institutes, including MoMA in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. His name appears in the International Design Yearbook.