We’re Still Toting Fjällräven’s Perfect Back-to-School Essential (Win!)

Still looking for the ideal back-to-school backpack? Fjällräven has your back. The iconic Kånken is perfect and practical. Available in 75 colours, there’s an option for everyone. Originally created in 1978 by founder Åke Nordin, it’s designed to be large enough to accommodate a wide array of school supplies and personal items while still remaining versatile to be used outside the classroom. It’s also made from partially or fully recycled polyester. Want a unique take on this iconic bag? The Kånken Art is the perfect way to stand out this year. For the 2023 edition of Kånken Art, Fjällräven teamed up with Swedish illustrator, graphic designer and artist Martin Ander, also known as Mander. We chatted with Mander to learn more. —Vita Daily

How did your collaboration with Fjällräven come about? What made it a good fit for you, as an artist?

About three years ago, my old friend Wille Winell invited me to a meeting about a project he was involved in. It turns out that it was the Fjällräven Specialized Exchange Project. Him and Henrik Andersson asked me if I wanted to be a part of it, and I ended up working on it for almost a year. During that project, I did everything from coming up with ideas to sketching on store interiors, maps, storyboards, etc. I also designed the Fjällräven Specialized logo as well as the Cali/Swede pattern. At the end of my involvement in that project, Henrik called me and asked me if I wanted to do a Kånken Art design. I guess he had seen the work I’ve done for the skating/surfing/music industry and thought I was a good fit for Fjällräven. I said “yes of course” – Fjällräven has been around for as long as I can remember and really is a staple in Swedish culture. I really like their philosophy and that it’s about experiences, and not sport. Plus, I’ve had such a good experience working with the Fjällräven team in the previous project – so this one was a no brainer. On top of everything, I also thought that I can bring something new to Fjällräven – something more urban. 

What was the inspiration behind your design for the Kånken Art ‘23 backpack? How does it reflect yourn self/personality/style?

I grew up in the skateboarding world and really like the design and culture that has come out of that world. For the Kånken Art project, I knew that I needed to make a repeating pattern to be able to use it on as many products as possible – it also needed to reflect both Fjällräven’s world and my own. I have always liked the patterns from the skate/surf industry from the 80s. I especially liked those Xerox/fanzine/punky patterns that was on everything back then and drew a lot of inspiration from that. During the pandemic, I lived in small town on the countryside and was out in the woods a lot. Through this, my idea was to find things from nature that I can draw in a more urban style. I discovered that the natural surfaces in nature are quite similar to those 80s patterns that I liked as a kid if you look closely enough – so the different textures in the pattern in actually trees, stone, laiken and moss (up close).

What, in your mind, makes this the perfect backpack for back to school season and beyond?

Taking away the obvious reasons like comfort and practicality, I would say a perfect backpack is one that lasts for generations. It’s also one you want to wear as an accessory even though you may not have to carry anything with you that day. As a kid, I remember bringing an extra sweater with me just so I could wear a backpack. 

For years, the Kånken community has found ways of personalising their backpack, as you’ve done with Kånken Art. Do you have any tips on how they can get creative with their Kånken?

To my parents spite, I used to draw graffiti pieces on my backpacks when I was young – so that’s one tip. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a graffiti piece – you can draw anything you want. It can be flowers, cartoon characters, your favourite band logo, or just writing a statement. I also would recommend patches and pins – I recently saw a lady on the subway with several embroidery on her Kånken, and I really liked that. 

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Win! A Fjällräven Kånken Art Backpack!

Congrats Bren H. of Mississauga, ON, who will receive a Fjällräven Kånken Art Backpack! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.