Nanna Ditzel

Born in 1923 in Copenhagen, Nanna Ditzel (1923–2005) was a Danish architect and designer known as the ‘grand dame of Scandinavian design’ thanks to her furniture, textiles and jewellery. It was her mother, an art enthusiast, who inspired her passion for art and creativity. She began training as a cabinetmaker before going on to study at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, from which she graduated with a degree in architecture.

It was there that she met her first husband, Jorgen Ditzel, with whom she collaborated, initially designing children’s furniture and later all manner of home furnishings: wallpaper, fabrics and even glassware. Together, they created innovative designs that would become iconic, such as the side table with a lift-up top revealing storage space, or the famous ‘Hanging Egg Chair’ (1959), which enjoyed enormous success in the 1960s.

The Danish brand Mater, known for its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, has just released a reissue of the Ocean collection of tables and chairs. The original design was created by the renowned couple in 1955. It is the lightweight structure of the repeating slats that characterises this furniture range. Designed for use both indoors and outdoors, the minimalist design suits any room and setting. Mater’s reissue incorporates recycled plastic made from ocean waste to protect marine life.

Following her husband’s death in 1961, she continued to design practical and multifunctional furniture, experimenting with materials as varied as teak, wicker and fibreglass. Sika has reimagined many of the designer’s woven wicker pieces – chairs and armchairs. One example is the Rana armchair, which embodies Nanna Ditzel’s love of rounded, vintage shapes.