Madam Stoltz – Made by hand, chosen by heart
Text: Signe Hansen | Photos © Madam Stoltz
From practical accessories to beautiful must-haves, the common denominator for all products from Madam Stoltz is that they are chosen by heart.
More than two decades ago, Danish Pernille Stoltz fell in love with India, its people and its handicraft. In 1995, having returned home from a holiday in the country, the then 25-year-old shop assistant set up a small boutique selling handmade Indian design items in Copenhagen. Soon, the interest in the shop’s products was growing, and in 1997, Madam Stoltz, a wholesaler specialised in interior decoration produced in India was created. “Our company never had a strategy about where and how big we wanted to be; we’ve just done it our own way,” says Stoltz. “What drives us are people and beautiful products – our heart is in everything we do.”
In 2002, Stoltz’ husband Peter Bundgaard joined the company, which at the same time moved its headquarters to Bornholm. Today, the products of Madam Stoltz are sold in shops all over Europe, and the company employs 25 people on the island. “Being located on Bornholm gives us the tranquillity to really immerse ourselves in our work. There’s a lot of inspiration to be found in the island’s nature and peaceful environment – you probably couldn’t find a bigger contrast to India; it’s two extremes, but both define our company,” says Stoltz.
In India and China, Stoltz works closely with a number of producers, many of whom have been delivering products for her since the days of her first shop. “I know many of our suppliers so well that they have become more like family than business partners,” says Stoltz, who visits India four to five times a year. “So many ideas and so much inspiration arise during my trips; when you’re there, everything is possible. You draw something on the drawing board and the next minute it’s being made in front of you – it’s an amazing process.”
In 2010, Madam Stoltz became sponsor of the Nai Disha school project in New Delhi. The project helps secure children and young people education and a fair start in life. “It was a natural thing for us to do, because the Indian society and people have given us so much, so we wanted to give something back,” explains Stoltz.
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