Rachel Giesen

Department: Man and Activity
Website: www.rachelgiesen.com

IKEA LOCAL

Two experiences prompted Rachel Giesen to think of ‘IKEA LOCAL’. She worked both for the big global brand IKEA and for a small company in Lisbon which sources and produces its designs locally. Combining the two, this range of designs is made in Portugal, using Portuguese materials, and is sold only at IKEA stores in that country. Not only does this lower the costs and reduce the range’s ecological footprint, it also helps the local economy and preserves aspects of the local culture. Portugal serves as an example, as the concept of a unique, green and profitable local collection can be implemented anywhere.