MIMMI VAN DER CRUSSEN
BY VAN DER CRUSSEN
SUSTAINABLE DESIGNER
Mimmi Van Der Crussen – a multitalented designer and entrepreneur who founded her brand By Van Der Crussen based on the idea of turning waste into products of great value. We visit Mimmi and her daughter Bella in their 60m² 2-in-1 home and workspace in Oslo to talk about sustainability, a flexible lifestyle and what you need in a good workspace.
You design coats from surplus furniture fabrics, how did you come up with that idea? While working as a retail designer I came across the problem of leftover fabrics being wasted in factories. However I found it hard to tell how I could do something about it. It wasn’t until after I quit the job and got some distance to it all, that I managed see those pieces of fabrics for what they really are: a goldmine!
How do you manage to produce such beautiful things out of these left over fabrics? I want to showcase that there really is no such thing as waste – only wasted resources. When furniture is produced in several rounds, it can result in several similar pieces of leftover fabric. Like this purple one. This allows me to create single-colored coats. If the fabric isn’t enough for an edition of coats, it becomes something else: bags, toiletry bags or a pouffe. The tiniest pieces of fabric functions as fill for the pouffe.
You are a true artist, we’ve seen all your beautiful paintings on these walls! Where do you find your inspiration? I am very careful of what type of stimuli I expose myself to and I regularly and consciously distance myself from external input. Floating, therapy, meditation and breathwork allow me to sustain a clear vision. I do this to create space for inspiration and creativity to flow freely.
You have a combined living room and workspace/showroom, pros and cons.. I don’t really see By Van Der Crussen as my work – my real work lies in visiting the uncomfortable corners of my mind, feeling the emotions I’d rather ignore, facing my fears and pushing past my limitations. Then, I communicate and express myself through my brand. Therefore, as I see it, the only con is that it holds a limit on expansion… Or wait, does it? :)
Why HÅG Capisco? What is it about that chair that makes it a good tool? The thought behind this chair is spot on what I’ve been thinking when designing the coats for By Van Der Crussen: a design as timeless as possible, able to stand through decades of trends and styles of diversity. My mood and my needs constantly change so flexibility is key. Also, I would never be able to hide the fact that my living room also is my workspace. Therefore, I listen to the wisdom: “If you can’t hide it – Show it!” :)
The HÅG Capisco is a design icon that continues to withstand the test of time. Inspired by a horseback rider's posture, its pioneering saddle seat and overall unique shape, offer endless ways to sit or half stand.