Supplier Trip China - The Inspiration

Inspiration greets us on all our journeys and in our everyday lives. It could be a beautiful color combination on the hotel's carpet, a lovely green shade with small red details you noticed in a stairwell on your way somewhere else, a technique, or just people in the city. It could be a color, a small sewing detail that captivates you and you want to save in memory. Even the factory visits themselves can contribute to vibrant color inspiration.

When we're on trips, I always carry a new little notebook dedicated to that specific journey. It becomes a mix of technical information, sample results, and inspiration – a lovely tool to revisit when needed. At the suppliers, we don't just look at the factories; we also explore new qualities, knitting techniques, and details in their showrooms. On-site, I often make small sketches along with my notes to remember which image corresponds to what. When I'm back home, I usually supplement the book with actual photographs. This way, I have everything collected in one place. Below is an example of what it can look like.

Another source of inspiration is all those details around you, especially when you're in a new place and observe your surroundings in a completely different way. Inspiration is everywhere, but sometimes it's easy to forget, especially here at home in the winter darkness. The pictures below are a small example of how the place around us truly looks when you choose to shift focus for a moment.

Thank you for having me!

/Amanda, designer at Gudrun Sjödén