London, United Kingdom

Together with Zandra Rhodes, the British pattern and textile designer dubbed the ‘Princess of Punk’, IKEA decided to explore how Zandra’s vibrant style and bold patterns can be designed in an IKEA home context. Fashion and function go hand in hand, and the result is a collection with unique and expressive pieces. ​

The result is a redesign of IKEA’s Frakta bag. 

The new bright pink carrier bag features shoulder straps and curved frilly edges is called Karismatisk.

Shoppers can now purchase them at IKEA to take their shopping home with them, and their waterproof, durable and roomy nature means they are cherished and repurposed regularly.

For many people the blue Frakta bag is about dealing with a week’s load of laundry, or just lugging things around. We all have to do our chores. Why not do it in style next time? We talked to Zandra about her fabulous take on the iconic bag for the Karismatisk collection.

Whether it is a walk down Bermondsey Street in London for grocery shopping, or carrying her amazing dresses to shows, fashion designer Zandra Rhodes will hang a hardworking IKEA bag over her shoulder. But it won’t be the iconic blue one, it will be her own pink version. And yes, of course, it will have ruffles. Zandra’s take on the Frakta bag will be in the coming Karismatisk collection.

“The Frakta bag is IKEA! The bag could not be left out of the Karismatisk collection and I was so excited to have my take on one of the most famous and identifiable IKEA products,” says Zandra.

The idea about the bag came to the design team straight away during the first workshop in Älmhult where Paulin Machado, inhouse designer at IKEA, and Zandra first met and immediately dived into patterns and colours.

“It is wonderful being able to go all out with both patterns and colors. Zandra is phenomenal at this, this simmering stew of bold patterns and bright colors that cooks up to something tantalising and beautiful. I want, like, all of it! I am impressed by the open and inviting way in which ideas and concepts are explored in this collaboration. It is a super democratic way of working, where all ideas are welcome,” says Paulin.

Designer: Zandra Rhodes
Manufacturer: IKEA