Published 15 September 2023 • Inter IKEA newsroom
IKEA celebrates the King of Sweden’s 50th anniversary on the throne with a specially designed armchair
IKEA is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year – the very same year the King of Sweden is celebrating his 50th year on the throne. To recognise this, IKEA has designed a very special and unique piece. The gift, a classic armchair with a royal touch, will be displayed for the first time at Kungsträdgården in Stockholm on Friday, 15 September.
The armchair, an iconic IKEA piece, was first sold in 1967. Back then it was called MILA and was designed by Gillis Lundgren. Now, IKEA is reintroducing some of its classic products as part of the collection Nytillverkad and the armchair will be reintroduced as DYVLINGE in January 2024. One DYVLINGE has been embossed with the royal warrant and will be presented to the King to recognise his 50 years on the throne.
“The design found inspiration in Sweden’s 1972 Olympic Games uniforms. However, we reimagined the characteristic gold crowns as hearts against the blue backdrop. The need for love in today’s world is perhaps greater than ever,” says Johan Ejdemo, Design Manager, IKEA of Sweden.
During the royal celebrations, IKEA is building a nine-meter tall KALLAX shelving unit in Kungsträdgården in Stockholm. It will feature other classic armchairs, some of which have been part of the IKEA range for over 50 years, while others were launched more recently. The common denominator is that they all are part of the current IKEA range – and that they serve as thrones in many people’s homes. The shelving unit can be seen 14 September to 19 September.
“As purveyors to the Royal Court of Sweden, IKEA wants to celebrate the anniversary by presenting the specially designed armchair and building a massive KALLAX shelf in Kungsträdgården. Many people have cherished memories connected to our products, and we’re thrilled to display some of our favourites in central Stockholm,” says Emily Birkin, Country Manager, IKEA Sweden.
The Prototype shop at IKEA of Sweden in Älmhult made the armchair. It is, like all IKEA pieces, the product of Democratic Design and its five pillars: function, form, quality, sustainability, and low price.
“We want to join the King in celebrating his 50 years on the throne. This particular and unique piece has been handcrafted by our amazing co-workers. In cooperation with pattern designers, the idea came to life. The design has been fabricated, printed, and then applied by our master upholsterers at our workshop in Älmhult, Sweden,” says Johan Ejdemo.
IKEA will present the gift in connection with the Royal celebrations. DYVLINGE will be available in 2024.