Little Liffner

Though it may be intuitive to assign the stereotype of Scandinavian design to a mental receptacle prominently labeled ‘austerity’, since its 2012 debut, Little Liffner has emerged as a counterpoint to any such inclination. Paulina Liffner von Sydow’s refined constellation of handbags, purses, and totes reveal that the practice of eye-catching design is fundamentally tied to establishing a vocabulary of distinguishable forms that speak plainly to novices and aficionados alike. Visible hardware is pared down to fundamental shapes, with rope chain standing in for its naturally-derived forerunner. The selective use of exotic prints and embossed finishes yields a dash of sensory impact without any hint of the garish, while a handful of vivid colorways act as thoughtful departures among the more universally complementary tones on offer. For those looking to cast off the sirenic tether of the ‘it bag’, the stylistic and functional versatility encapsulated by Little Liffner’s gentle waves is a welcome escape.