Icons who defined Nordic design: Every ‘Scandi Master’ story from Vogue Scandinavia so far

With our region’s illustrious design history and the acclaimed names it has spawned, we’d be remiss not to highlight the remarkable talent admired worldwide. In nearly every issue of Vogue Scandinavia, you’ll find a story that’s part of our ‘Scandi Master’ series – an in-depth exploration of the Nordic designers who have made their mark on history, shaped today’s industry with their innovative vision and created renowned pieces that have reached icon status.

Celebrating the launch of Vogue Scandinavia Living, we round up all the Scandi Master stories featured in the magazine so far, with plenty more still on the horizon.

Our very first Scandi Master feature spotlighted Finnish design legend Alvar Aalto, who’s the mastermind behind classics like the ‘Stool 60’ and the ‘Aalto’ vase. In the story, we dive into Aalto’s revered design legacy, revisit his most iconic pieces and hear how he created them.

Read the full story here: The story behind Alvar Aalto’s three most iconic interior pieces

In Vogue Scandinavia’s December-January 2022 issue, we explore the renowned work and life of the Danish visionary Arne Jacobsen. You probably recognise him from pieces like the sculptural ‘Egg’ and ‘Ant’ chairs, but there’s so much more to discover about one of the 20th century’s most influential designers – all of which we unpack in the article.

Read the full story here: The three most iconic Arne Jacobsen pieces to have on your interior wishlist

Finnish design house Marimekko is loved for its bold and vibrant prints worldwide, but are you familiar with the woman who started it all? In the Scandi Master feature in the February-March 2023 issue, we delve into the story of pioneering, unapologetic textile designer Maija Isola, who has designed some of Marimekko’s earliest, best-known prints, including the iconic ‘Unikko’.

Read the full story here: Print power: How Maija Isola grew Marimekko into a cult brand

Bjørn Wiinblad is the man who made Denmark smile with his charming figurines, which cheerfully broke away from the minimalist, form-follows-function philosophy that dominated Nordic interior design in the 20th century. In this Scandi Master story, featured on the pages of our April-May 2023 issue, we come face-to-face with his smile-inducing creations and what inspired them.

Read the full story here: The man who made Scandinavia smile: Bjorn Wiinblad’s eclectic artistry

Peek into royal palaces or any well-curated home, and you’re likely to find Swedish artist Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s expressive rugs or tapestries adorning the interiors. Although Måås-Fjetterström’s life was famously shrouded in mystery, in Vogue Scandinavia’s June-July 2023 issue, we uncover everything you need to know about the handicraft trailblazer.

Read the full story here: Look at the rugs, that is who I am": Discover Sweden’s royally-beloved textile artist Märta Måås-Fjetterström

In Vogue Scandinavia’s October-November 2023 issue, we highlight one of the most renowned women in Nordic design: Nanna Ditzel. Often referred to as ‘the grand dame of Danish design’, Ditzel created multiple celebrated pieces, from the ‘Trinidad’ and ‘Hanging Egg’ chairs to the ‘Toadstool’, whose stories we explore in the article.

Read the full story here: "She has been a role model for later female designers": Celebrating 100 years of Nanna Ditzel's influential design

Swedish designer and illustrator Stig Lindberg’s vibrant and whimsical ceramics, wallpapers and textiles adorn countless homes in the Nordics and beyond. Lindberg’s path to becoming a household name is as colourful as his designs, a journey we trace in the December-January 2023 issue.

Read the full story here: “He was self-confident, romantic, playful, perceptive and a complete financial idiot”: The legacy of Stig Lindberg

Acclaimed Danish designer Poul Kjærholm had a distinct eye for detail, stripping his iconic designs – like the ‘PK0 A Chair’ and the ‘PK33 Stool’ – to their essence. Who was the man behind this quintessentially minimalist architectural furniture? We find out in the February-March 2024 issue.

Read the full story here: The 4 furniture pieces to know by Danish design master Poul Kjærholm

Grinning wooden monkeys, hippos, puffins, bears and elephants. These are just some of the cheerful creatures that Danish design legend Kay Bojesen dreamt up in his Copenhagen workshop in the early 20th century. Today, they’ve found their way on shelves worldwide, sparking smiles on children and adults alike. In Vogue Scandinavia’s June-July 2024 issue, we open up the joyous treasure trove of Bojesen’s design legacy.

Read the full story here: Uncovering the treasure trove of Danish design behind the iconic wooden monkey

An avant-gardist with a penchant for paintbox brights, Danish visionary Verner Panton injected joy, colour and a sense of rebellion into the Nordic design sphere with his futuristic and vivid works – like the ‘Panton Chair’ and the ‘Heart Cone Chair’ – which revolutionised Scandinavian design. We unpack Panton’s spirited story in the August-September 2024 issue.

Read the full story here: “He saw colour as part of the joy of living”: The rebellious palette of Danish designer Verner Panton

Danish design icon Poul Henningsen believed that good lighting should be accessible to everyone, a philosophy that gave rise to some of the most famed lighting designs of the 20th century, including the ‘PH Artichoke’ and ‘PH5’ pendants. In Vogue Scandinavia’s October-November 2024 issue, we peel back the layers of his illustrious legacy.

Read the full story here: Let there be Light! Exploring 3 iconic designs by Danish legend Poul Henningsen

Fondly heralded as ‘the man who illuminated Finland’, Paavo Tynell’s light fixtures boasted a distinct ability to create soft, indirect light, which made them highly sought-after in the early 20th century, just a few years after the introduction of the first domestic light bulb. In Vogue Scandinavia’s February-March 2025 issue, we delve into Tynell’s story and how he lit the way to some of our region’s most renowned interiors.

Read the full story here: The man who lit up Finland: Unpacking the luminous legacy of Paavo Tynell's lamps

Few designers are as synonymous with the Danish Modern movement as Børge Mogensen. In our April-May 2025 issue, we look back at some of his most legendary designs, such as the ‘Spanish Chair’ and the ‘Spoke-Back’ sofa, and explore how his pioneering, form-follows-function ethos resonates as strongly today as it did decades ago.

Read the full story here: Børge Mogensen: The Danish design legend defining the world's coolest spaces

A rebel at heart, Swedish textile designer Viola Gråsten shook up the Nordic textile design scene with her palette of vibrant hues, which she spun into zesty, never-before-seen flowing patterns splashed across everything from plush blankets to rugs. In our June-July 2025 issue, we get to know the woman behind the trailblazing textiles and the inspirations that fuelled her work.

Read the full story here: Viola Gråsten: The rebel colourist who redefined Swedish design

A true jack of all trades, master of all, Finnish visionary Tapio Wirkkala worked across an impressive range of media, from glass, sculpture and porcelain to graphic design, lighting and exhibition architecture. In Vogue Scandinavia’s August-September 2025 issue, we take a closer look at the life and work of the multi-faceted artist and how he turned each of his designs into cult classics.

Read the full story here: Glass, vodka bottles, banknotes: How Finland's Tapio Wirkkala made every design a cult classic