Ikea to release design version of signature Frakta bag

Ikea's trademark blue shopping tote is back in the news, but this time as a collaboration between the furniture giant and Danish design company Hay. Together they have created a home collection dubbed Ypperlig, which includes a more design version of the bright blue Ikea tote bag.

The new edition of the "Frakta" bag — yes, that big blue bag actually has a name — is one of the highlights of the home line. "The bag is one of the best-known Ikea products, but no one considers it a design object. By preserving the proportions and just changing colors and patterns, we celebrate this real cult object," said Danish designer Mette Hay.

"The collaboration was just great, and I think that is apparent in this collection," said Marcus Engman, chief designer at Ikea of Sweden about the cooperation with Hay.

But many would object to the idea that the Ikea Frakta bag has not already achieved designer cult status. The Instagram account Ikeaclothes offers a virtual gallery of how people have repurposed the Frakta into all sorts of accessories and clothing, ranging from backpacks to dungarees.

And French luxury house Balenciaga recently released a $2,000+ version of the bag, seen on the runway this spring. Ikea quickly responded with a humorous ad explaining how to spot the real Frakta, including that the Ikea version costs 99 cents. Engman told the press afterward that he wasn't bothered by the nod from the luxury label, saying there is a difference between copying and finding inspiration.

Besides the updated Frakta bag, the Ypperlig collection will offer around 65 products that also includes larger furniture items such as sofas and tables as well as various accessories and home textiles.

Mette and Rolf Hay are the founders of the Danish design company, which they formed in Copenhagen in 2000. Hay is known for its Scandinavian aesthetic in furniture design.

Ikea to release design version of signature Frakta bag

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