Georg Jensen Embraces Playfulness with 'Georg Jensen at Play' Collection
Georg Jensen, a renowned design house, recently unveiled its innovative "Georg Jensen at Play" collection during the much-anticipated 3 Days of Design 2026 event. This captivating series, showcased in a whimsical 'Secret Garden' installation in Copenhagen, reinterprets luxury silverware through a lens of playfulness and interaction. Guided by creative director Paula Gerbase, the collection features an array of sterling silver and stone games, including dice, a spinning top, a woodland-inspired Mikado set, and a re-imagined traditional Scandinavian 'Kubb' game, now affectionately named 'Toad'. This initiative signifies a fresh perspective on the brand's distinguished heritage, encouraging a more approachable and engaging relationship with high-end design.
Georg Jensen's Playful Reimagining: An Interview with Creative Director Paula Gerbase
In the vibrant city of Copenhagen, amidst the bustle of 3 Days of Design 2026, Georg Jensen's 'Secret Garden' emerged as a sanctuary of playful luxury. Here, creative director Paula Gerbase introduced the enchanting 'Georg Jensen at Play' collection, inviting guests to interact with exquisitely crafted games made from silver and stone. This innovative approach seeks to demystify the perception of Georg Jensen as a solely rigorous and serious brand, instead highlighting a heritage steeped in curiosity and creative freedom, inspired by the founder's own upbringing in the natural woodlands outside Copenhagen.
Gerbase, appointed in 2024, has embarked on a journey to respectfully infuse modernity into Georg Jensen's illustrious past. Her tenure has already seen the introduction of a home fragrance line and a collection of reissued archival jewelry, both reflecting modernist Danish design principles. The 'Georg Jensen at Play' collection further deepens this exploration, drawing parallels between the founder's early life and his artistic endeavors. Georg Jensen, known for his early animalistic gold works such as belt buckles and brooches adorned with insects and fireflies, displayed a profound connection to nature and a penchant for the whimsical. His atelier fostered collaboration and an openness to chance, inviting other artists to reinterpret his creations—a spirit Gerbase aims to revive.
The collection's centerpiece games, all new designs, subtly weave in themes from Georg Jensen's childhood. For instance, the 'Toad' game features a proudly cross-armed toad as its king, evoking woodland creatures. Gerbase emphasizes that while these specific games are contemporary, the brand's archives are rich with playful, small silver objects, including lipstick cases, flashlights, and miniature wheelbarrows, all underscoring a historical undercurrent of humor and unexpected charm that informed the new collection.
Gerbase envisions a future for Georg Jensen that embraces movement, lightness of spirit, and curiosity, without shying away from eccentricity—a quality she believes was present in the brand's early days. She sees silver as a living material that absorbs the marks of a well-lived life, developing a unique patina over time. This philosophy challenges the traditional view of silver as something precious and untouchable, instead presenting it as a medium for interaction and personal history. Her goal is to foster a space where people feel comfortable touching and engaging with design, appreciating its inherent imperfections as reflections of human experience. This shift reflects a broader trend in Danish design, moving beyond the mid-century aesthetic to emphasize individual brand authenticity and a forward-looking perspective.
In essence, Gerbase seeks to position Georg Jensen not just as a creator of beautiful objects, but as a catalyst for dialogue and connection, mirroring the collaborative and open spirit of its founder. This exhibition, situated near Copenhagen's historic Absalon statue, playfully juxtaposes silliness with gravitas, inviting a fresh interpretation of design's role in daily life.
This initiative by Georg Jensen and Paula Gerbase offers a refreshing perspective on luxury design, breaking down traditional barriers between art and everyday life. By presenting exquisite silver objects as interactive games, they encourage a more personal and tactile engagement with design. This approach reminds us that true value often lies not just in aesthetic perfection, but in the stories and experiences that objects accumulate over time. It's an invitation to embrace the playful, the imperfect, and the human element in our relationship with the beautiful things around us, fostering a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage in a contemporary context.