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Made by product developers, designers, suppliers, and artisans in Vietnam, the VARPTROSS series of lamps by IKEA gives a contemporary presence to natural materials. By combining industrial precision and handmade craftsmanship, the lamps result in a glare-free, warm light packed inside an architectural form.
Handwoven lamp series
Handwoven objects have been a part of the IKEA catalogues since the 1950s. From the first plaited furniture to baskets and lamps, the company continues to make handcrafted items part of its legacy. The newly produced VARPTROSS resides at the intersection of traditional weaving techniques and contemporary Scandinavian design IKEA’s globally known for.
“The goal was to develop lighting made from natural fibre that would resonate with IKEA customers across the world. Insights showed that handcrafted natural fibre products are less popular in Asia, where the market is already saturated with handwoven bamboo and rattan items. At the same time, customers in these markets tend to appreciate forms rooted in industrial design. From the start, the aim was to move beyond the traditional lantern aesthetic and create designs that feel more streamlined and refined.”
Chiara Ripalti, IKEA Product Developer
A joint effort
IKEA’s product developer Chiara Ripalti worked closely with Andreas Fredriksson and Akanksha Deo, who brought their separate skills to the project. Fredriksson specialises in Scandinavian furniture and product design with a focus on durability, form, and function, while Deo specialises in materials and craft tradition. The trio created a family of lamps composed of a floor lamp, a pendant lamp, a wall lamp, and a table lamp, all made of natural fibres.
From brief to the final product
Natural and easy to renew bamboo was selected as the base of the design. To ensure the durability of the structure, the trio employed crisscross weaving of bamboo with a double layer of slats to create an almost rectangular shape. Working together with IKEA suppliers in Vietnam, the company finally settled on the new prototypes handmade by weaving after numerous experiments with materials and light.
“Many ideas for VARPTROSS lamps were born on the factory floor in Vietnam. How do we create a glare-free glow? How wide should the slats be, how close should they be? After many attempts, we decided to balance the straight lines of the slats by gently rounding them, as well as to put the slats in two layers.”
Akanksha Deo
The bamboo slats are bent and hand-assembled into slightly rounded shapes. Double-layer construction is one of the defining characteristics of the series, as each lamp features two layers of bamboo slats, placed in an alternating pattern to block the source of light and reduce glare gently. The varied proportions and radius were carefully calibrated to ensure a light feel and balance.
While some things were done by machinery, including cutting bamboo slats for efficiency and consistency, the other important work, such as weaving, tying and assembling, is done by hand. Just like most IKEA products, VARPTROSS was made in line with IWAY, the company’s responsible sourcing philosophy, which centres on strict environmental, social and working conditions.
The VARPTROSS collection represents a perfect combination of handmade and industrial manufacturing, resulting in glare-free soft lighting. VARPTROSS was launched on July 1, 2026 and is available on the IKEA website and in stores.
