DENMARK. Skagen Designs, the affordable luxury accessories company known for its minimalist watches, has unveiled its Fall 2010 timepiece, jewellery and sunglasses collections. The company has also introduced the new Black Label line for the Autumn/Winter 2010 season.
Speaking at the recent TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, where these collections were shown, Skagen Designs Sales Manager, Export & Travel Retail René With Dalskov told The Moodie Report that heritage and lifestyle lie at the core of the company’s philosophy.
Founded in 1989 by husband and wife team Henrik and Charlotte Jorst, Skagen Designs today remains family-run – and its roots are “distinctly Danish”. Founded on the principle that beautifully designed high-quality objects can be created at reasonable prices, the company aims to introduce the Danish lifestyle and philosophy into the lives of many.
The products developed under the Skagen brand have always encompassed the Danish design element – with its simple and modern lines – and draw inspiration from the heritage of Denmark. The brand is fittingly named after the chic seaside resort of Skagen in Denmark, where design cues – such as the use of freshwater pearls – are taken from the natural and unspoilt landscape.
Skagen Denmark watches feature signature details such as ultra-slim cases, brushed stainless steel dials made from the same material as surgical tools, mesh straps, sun-ray dials that catch the light, and mother-of-pearl dials for women.
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Skagen products draw inspiration from the seaside resort of Skagen in Denmark and its natural, unspoilt landscape |
Today, Skagen Designs is an international company with corporate headquarters in Reno, NV, US and regional offices in Albertslund, Denmark and Hong Kong. It is now available in 70 countries worldwide, with flagship stores in Skagen town and Copenhagen city, Denmark, and Tokyo, Japan. And it is positioned to open more flagship stores in the near future.
Skagen Denmark watches are available onboard more than 20 airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, EVA Air, Asiana Airlines, Dragonair, China Airlines, Lufthansa, Iberia, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and TUI, among others.
The Middle East region is Skagen’s next big focus, Dalskov added. He believes that the company’s “˜affordable luxury’ approach – high quality at reasonable prices – puts the brand in good stead in travel retail. Its affordability – domestic retail prices range from €100-250 – is a major reason why the company was hardly affected by the economic recession, with turnover actually rising in the past few years.
The company also has a wide range of designs, offering over 500 skus in total. Henrik and Charlotte Jorst are actively involved in product development, working hand in hand with the design team each season, Dalskov said.
Unusually, all watches include a global limited lifetime warranty.
SKAGEN DENMARK FALL 2010 COLLECTIONS
Described as “modern minimalism meets sleek sophistication in a mix of mediums”, Skagen Denmark’s Fall 2010 collection was designed to embody the philosophy of “˜less is more’ – the very essence of Danish design.
The collection includes timepieces for men and women, women’s jewellery and sunglasses, as well as a selection of wall clocks.
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The Platinum collection for men and women features platinum-plated cases accented with embellishments |
Performance Driven Collection
Designed to withstand the test of time, this lightweight men’s timepiece collection uses durable materials such as titanium. Sporty styling and urban detailing add to the rugged look, which features stainless steel mesh bands plated in titanium and genuine leather bands, Japanese quartz movements and the innovative use of texture.
Granite Collection
The Granite collection for women features a minimalist style, inspired by Denmark’s landscape and dramatic skies. Soft, round silhouettes, refined textures and a granite colour palette serve to complement the striped mesh, link bands and jewellery-inspired watches. Japanese quartz hand movements and indicators are made with Crystallized Swarovski Elements.
Platinum Collection
Designed to exude “˜glamorous sophistication’, this collection for men and women features platinum-plated cases accented with embellishments. Safety clasps are also platinum-plated. The combination of Crystallized Swarovski Elements, signature stainless steel mesh bands and Japanese quartz movements add up to a minimalist yet modern design.
Women’s Jewellery Collection
This simple and elegant collection pays homage to Charlotte Jorst, co-founder of Skagen Designs, and her daughter, Christine, in addition to everything that they love about the beach town for which the brand is named.
Featuring a mix of mediums, mesh chains and supple calf leather are rolled into cords, representing more delicate versions of the rustic ropes of fisherman’s boats. Accents made with Crystallized Swarovski Elements are designed to resemble glittery textured seashells along Denmark’s shoreline. Mesh rings and cuffs in shades such as sun gold, striking silver and deep brown, plus smooth metal inlays that “shine like the moonlight on the North Sea” add to the range.
Freshwater pearls are used in the Pearl collection, which includes necklaces, earrings and rings. The colour palette draws inspiration from the sand and surf, with combinations of white, brown, and black pearls.
Skagen Sunglass Collection
Sharing design elements from the women’s jewellery collection, sunglasses are highlighted with symbolic bevelled hearts, mesh embellishments and accents made with Crystallized Swarovski Elements. Rectangle, square and round acetate frames are available in colours of tortoise, burgundy, brown, and black.
Skagen Signature Clock Collection
The new clock collection includes geometric shapes, multi-tiered details and quiet sweep quartz analog movements. Some feature a reflective mirror border only found in the Skagen Denmark Swiss Movement timepiece collection.
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Designed to withstand the test of time, the Performance Driven collection uses durable materials such as titanium |
Skagen Denmark Black Label, aka the Swiss Movement Collection
Also known as the Swiss Movement collection, Skagen Denmark Black Label features “simple elements fused with high-quality craftsmanship and a modern sensibility”, the company said.
The line is inspired by a range of natural materials and the native Scandinavian surroundings of Charlotte and Henrik Jorst. The ethos of their design motto is to draw inspiration from abstract arts and shapes while maintaining refined sensibility and maximum functionality.
The range includes three different styles:
• Executive – Inspired by professional drive in the workplace, each time piece is designed to portray prestige with minimalistic qualities for creating a polished, tailored approach to dressing. Genuine Italian leather bands, polished stainless steel cases with mirror borders and distinct dial indexes crafted with two-hand, dual-time zones and dates within Swiss Made movements are among the key elements.
• Architect – Designed to reflect the essence of today’s contemporary building structures, this style utilizes rugged and industrial design materials such as mesh and links. Key elements include brushed stainless steel cases, chrome mirrors borders and chronograph Swiss Made movements.
• Cocktail – Designed to exude timeless glamour, styles feature metallic minimalism, combining genuine diamonds and semi-precious stones with polished links and satin bands.
For more information, contact René With Dalskov; Skagen Designs Sales Manager, Export & Travel Retail; Skagen Designs. E-mail: rene@skagendesigns.dk. Visit www.skagen.com.
About Skagen Designs
Founded in 1989 by Danish couple Henrik and Charlotte Jorst, the family-owned, US-based company is named after the chic seaside resort of Skagen in Denmark. The location, where the scenery is natural and unspoilt, features heavily in the brand’s marketing and advertising visuals. Skagen products are available in 60 countries. In 2010, Skagen won a Red Dot Design award for its 20th anniversary 233 watches and Swiss movement 585 series.
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