Pia Wallén was born in Umeå in northern Sweden. She moved to Stockholm in her early twenties, where she still lives today. Pia studied fashion design at the Beckman’s College of Design in Stockholm in the mid eighties. In the early nineties, she made an international breakthrough with her own brand, named after herself. The bold minimalistic objects, created in her signature material felt, became instant classics. Inspired by traditional Swedish folk craft techniques and patterns, Pia Wallén’s pioneering designs also had a strong contemporary edge. This combination of tradition and modernity has remained Pia Wallén´s trademark. A certain playful spirit and the daring, experimental clashing of ”noble” and ”plebeian” materials are also characteristic of her unmistakable designs.