They had never met before attending design school, but Vera Kleppe and Åshild Kyte soon became friends and partners. After five years of studying together, they did not bother applying to any companies. They knew exactly what they wanted to do: start their own design studio.
Their decision paid off. In 2018, Norway’s National Museum for art held a chair design competition, and Vera & Kyte won second place among many Norwegian designers. The same year, their Apex candlesnuffer was nominated for Accessory of the Year by Bo Bedre Design Awards. “It’s inspiring to us. Getting nominations and awards along the way is very motivating,” Åshild told Localfolk.
Vera and Åshild met in Bergen in 2007, during practical admissions tests. They studied together until 2012, and Vera & Kyte was born in 2013. “We knew we wanted to work together,” Åshild said. They had done many projects on the side during their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and they were not afraid to take some risks. “We were not doubtful, but willing to jump into it,” she said of Vera & Kyte’s conception and origins.
The two designers create timeless pieces with a modern flair, based on Scandinavian traditions. “We push those boundaries. It’s important for us and for our products. That’s the nature of the two of us,” Åshild said. She explained that their design process is guided by principles rather than methods. “We didn’t want to hold on to any specific materials, such as wood. Instead, we brought in more materials – steel, stone, textiles – to mention a few”. She said their creations need to be durable but with character and feel “immediate and long-lasting”.
Vera and Åshild never limit themselves with what they make, which materials they choose, or who they work with. They design everything from interior architecture to furniture and household items, such as mats and brooms. “We like to get to know different materials, which leads to meeting different people and different fields,” which is something they believe to be a strength of theirs. They have their design studio in Bergen but not their own store, since their work varies greatly and their products can be purchased in various stores and online. They collaborate with both national and international clients, from Taiwan to New York, via Florence.
One of their most successful collaborations was with Ladies & Gentlemen Studio in 2016, when they created the Krane lamp. The project was part of Norway x New York, which pairs five American studios with five Norwegian studios. The surprising thing is that Vera & Kyte never met their partners in person until the end of the project. “It would have been nice to meet them,” Åshild reflected, revealing everything had been done through online and digital correspondence. “We only met a day or two before New York Design Week and the opening of the exhibition.” The lamp is still for sale and has received great acclaim.
All of their projects are long-term and require patience and dedication. “Nothing is done in a few months.” But the process always provides the two with new ideas for creating – something the pair clearly thrives on. For example, their jewellery collection was an idea born from client requests. “We are lucky that our clients tell us what they want,” Åshild said. They made eleven pieces for Arven, a jewellery company based in Bergen. “It’s a privilege that people want to wear something of ours and have the look of Vera & Kyte,” she said.
They have participated in numerous exhibitions, which have led to global recognition and further collaborations. They are constantly travelling to Stockholm, London and Milan. “Product launches all over the world keep us updated and networking,” Åshild said. Vera and Åshild love these opportunities since they always lead to new experiences. They never know where these new experiences will take them, but they have “no plans of quitting” when asked what the future might hold.
