Each week we invite a woman or man of the Linnea Lund community to talk about their relationship to clothing, theire wardrobe and how they like to mix and match our iconic cashmere pieces. This time it's Gesa Hansen, talented designer and creator of The Hansen Family, her own line of contemporary furniture, who is the woman #MyLinneaLund of the week!
Gesa Hansen was born into a family of cabinetmakers. A sacred heritage for this German-Danish woman who brilliantly followed in the footsteps of her elders by attending the prestigious Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany. Then, finally, she fell in love with France and its good restaurants, after having tasted the chocolate fondant of Iñaki Aizpitarte, a leading figure in Parisian bistronomy. Paris.... It's a good thing that at that time (we are in 2005), she has just an internship at Jean Nouvel's Atelier H5, where she will work for five years. The experience was a good one, but the production was too "industrial" for her who loves craftsmanship so much. But that's no problem! She will no longer be satisfied with "simply" designing furniture, she will decide on everything in the manufacturing process, from the choice of solid, certified wood to the impeccable finish. This is how The Hansen Family, Gesa's own line of contemporary furniture was born.
Sofa, coffee table, bench, stool, candlestick or chest of drawers... each creation has a sober and efficient aesthetic that reflects her Scandinavian heritage, and where wood plays a leading role. Everything is beautiful, functional and clever, and made in the family's factory in Germany. That's what we like at Linnea Lund!
What else do we love about Gesa? Her intrepid spirit, which led her to leave Paris for a house in the country. Where time seems to stand still. Where everything seems softer, calmer. Where space is not a luxury but a constant reminder of how much but constantly reminds her that having a space of one's own is an invaluable asset for and to live together better. Where the tables easily exceed a dozen guests, all of whom are ten or so guests, all very happy (and lucky) to taste the dishes of Charles, Gesa's companion, an inspired restaurateur and owner of several addresses in Paris, the latest of which in the 2nd arrondissement was entirely entirely designed by Gesa. It is therefore not surprising that the "V.I.R. (very important room) is the kitchen. Where everything is played out and prepared, where everyone talks and confides.
And so it is between Montorgueil and Sentier, at the Café Compagnon, her man's bistro address, that Gesa Hansen welcomes us, dressed in our Angela Pearl-Grey, to talk to us about her job, her love of natural materials and and neutral tones, and the Linnea Lund pieces she loves.
Gesa Hansen, designer, The Hansen Family, artisanat, campagne, Ad magazine,
Bauhaus, scandinave design, Paris, bistronomie, Café compagnon, cachemire,
linnea lund
