Copenhagen's 3daysofdesign 2025: An authentic glimpse into Nordic design

Brands like Muuto, &Tradition, Fritz Hansen, Ittala, 101 Copenhagen, Northern, Frandsen, Reflections Copenhagen, Stolab, PP Møbler, Artek + Marimekko, Made by Choice stand out as key players. Though diverse, they share a common design philosophy that embraces the future while honoring its heritage. Their designs showcase an authentic and thoughtful approach, where every detail is crafted for longevity, emotional resonance, and a subtle yet distinctive presence in daily life.

Muuto is set to deliver a multisensory experience at 3daysofdesign 2025, collaborating with Kinda Studios. Their spectacular rooftop installation, "Grounded in Nature," invites visitors to reconnect with the natural world through carefully curated sounds, scents, textures, and forms. Central to this experience is Lise Vester's Dream View Bench, designed to cradle the body and draw the gaze skyward. Muuto will also preview new September releases, including lighting systems like Tom Chung's Beam Wall Lamp and Dimitri Bähler's Looped Lamp. Additionally, Muuto will celebrate the winners of its Design Contest 001, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing young international design talent.

As shown in the press release, introduced by the image above of carefree relaxation, &Tradition welcomes guests with The Living Archive project, an invitation to reflect, learn, and quiet rediscovery, an installation that reimagines an archive not as a static repository, but as a dynamic, evocative space brimming with memory and imagination.

Across their renovated showroom, the Lille Petra café, and the Petra Hotel, &Tradition will unveil new collections alongside cherished archive pieces, highlighting the beauty of durability and transformation. The debut of their collaboration with British studio Industrial Facility, featuring the Rombe shelving system—a modular structure designed to adapt to evolving life and environments—will also be on display. The experience is rounded out by an exhibition of furniture by Anderssen & Voll, titled "All The Way to Paris", and a reissue of an iconic piece by Verner Panton, celebrating design's enduring power.

Fritz Hansen, a beacon of Danish design since 1872, marks its 153rd year with "Shaping Lasting Design". This initiative journeys through the brand's rich heritage, bridging past and future. Two exhibition venues in Copenhagen will trace the evolution of Fritz Hansen's design philosophy, from the iconic furniture of Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjærholm to new creations by Cecilie Manz, Piero Lissoni, and Jaime Hayon. It’s a narrative built on authentic materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and a dedication to durability, designed for generations to come.

Iittala champions craftsmanship and continuous material innovation with its new Fall/Winter 2025 collection. The Finnish brand explores the duality of Nordic seasons, presenting warm, inviting colors that evoke autumn's soft light and introspection. A standout is the Finnish Sand edition of the iconic Ultima Thule glass collection, designed by Tapio Wirkkala. Crafted with sand from Karvia, Finland, it imparts a natural green hue without any added dyes. Complementing this are new scented candles inspired by the elemental forces—fire, sand, water—that have always shaped Iittala's identity.

101 Copenhagen introduces the evocative Frame lighting collection, a "Celebration of Balance." This collection emerges from the interplay of contrasting materials and a refined sense of proportion. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of umami—the perfect equilibrium between opposing elements—this lamp series softens the severity of perforated metal with transparent glass and rounded edges. The result is a gentle light, diffused by a hidden white acrylic core, transforming any space into an oasis of quiet elegance. Comprising clean-lined wall and pendant lamps, the collection is designed to seamlessly integrate into environments, enriching them with timeless visual and material harmony.

From Oslo's vibrant heart comes Northern, a brand that began as a daring venture by young creatives and has since blossomed into a dynamic force in the Scandinavian design scene. The story of its origin—from the first Snowball lamp prototype to its current collaborations with established designers and architects—is woven into the brand's ethos: to create objects with authentic, lived stories, merging Nordic tradition with an experimental, forward-looking spirit..

Frandsen delves into the myriad ways lighting can be a sensory and narrative experience. With "In Celebration of Light", Frandsen pays homage to light's profound role in shaping spaces and everyday emotions.

Their new Fall/Winter 2025 collection will be unveiled in an immersive exhibition where materials and forms give life to luminous bodies that feel less like objects and more like discreet presences, subtly defining any environment's atmosphere.

Motarasu, RYE, Søuld, and We Do Wood present Studio Retreat – Living with Nature, an installation that transforms a small studio into a sanctuary where design, nature, and sustainability exist in perfect harmony. From the organic beauty of wood to the tactile quality of seagrass and the elegance of minimalist design, the project celebrates a mindful return to the essence of living, featuring meticulously crafted furnishings made by artisans in Denmark that suggest a serene and authentic way of inhabiting space.

Marking its 10th anniversary, Reflections Copenhagen presents the new Radiant Collection, reinterpreting beloved creations with crystals boasting unprecedented reflections, inspired by the persistent glow of the summer solstice. This isn't just an exhibit; it's an immersive lounge, conceived as a space for contemplation and connection, where art and functionality converge under the banner of vibrant, sophisticated design.

Stolab is reintroducing Småland, its iconic 1946 bistro chair, a symbol of Scandinavian functionality and lightness. Its relaunch happened almost by chance after Johan Agrell, creator of Stockholms Stadshotell, was inspired by a vintage Småland chair for a new bistro design. The chair returns in its 1960s form, but with contemporary matte lacquer shades like cranberry red, tranquil gray, Nordic blue, eggshell white, and black, allowing the wood grain to show through. Available as both a bistro chair and a small sofa, its appeal lies in its simple lines and inviting, dynamic posture, reminiscent of a timeless jazz tune.

A major highlight is the debut of the pp101 chair, a previously unseen Hans J. Wegner design from 1955 now entering production for the first time.

With its simple structure and elegant proportions, the chair perfectly reflects Wegner's 1950s aesthetic.

The pp101, combining timeless design with high-quality craftsmanship, will be introduced at an accessible price point, making it an affordable way to own an original Wegner piece. Master Craftsman Kasper Holst Pedersen will officially present it during the festival launch.

In addition to this anticipated debut, PP Møbler is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Flag Halyard Chair, one of Wegner's most iconic and unconventional designs. The anniversary will feature live demonstrations, allowing guests to witness the meticulous hand-weaving that defines the chair's unique construction and learn its fascinating origin story.

As part of the celebration, the Flag Halyard Chair is now available with wooden legs, a detail from the original 75-year-old design, reintroduced to underscore its historical significance.

Throughout the festival, guests are invited to experience craftsmanship firsthand, with a cabinetmaker working on the sculptural Valet Chair and a skilled weaver assembling the Flag Halyard Chair, offering a glimpse into the techniques that continue to define Danish design excellence.

To mark Artek's 90th anniversary, a collaboration with Marimekko has been launched. At 3daysofdesign, visitors will get an exclusive first look at the limited-edition Artek + Marimekko collection before its worldwide release on September 4, 2025.

This collection features select Aalto furniture that seamlessly blends Marimekko's artistic prints with Artek's innovative wood-bending technology.

The exhibition will explore how Maija Isola's bold patterns, originally designed for Marimekko's Arkkitehti architectural series, are reinterpreted on Alvar Aalto's birch wood furniture.

 The theme celebrates what unites these two iconic Finnish brands: their distinct, bold identities, shaped by architecture, nature, and human-centered pragmatism.

The 3daysofdesign exhibition, designed in collaboration with Finnish designer Linda Bergroth, showcases the products in a setting that highlights how Artek's poetic simplicity complements Marimekko's daring and joyful essence.

Made by Choice commemorates its tenth anniversary with a new outdoor furniture collection by Annakaisa Liehu and Rebecca Norberg, alongside a series of sauna accessories designed by Martina Claesson. Bridging tradition and innovation, the Finnish brand reaffirms its commitment to sustainable, responsible design inspired by Nordic simplicity.