Northern Promise – a new business with traditional roots

When we leave our homeland and discover new countries and cultures, we can often see our own culture more clearly. Irina Rudsrud, designer and founder of Northern Promise, has so far visited 111 countries and lived abroad for several years. Upon moving back to Norway, she wanted to create something of her own.

“When I look at my foreign friends, they are good at living out their culture, through clothes, food, music and so on,“ Rudsrud says. “I also wanted to bring Norway to the world.” This is when she got the idea of embroidered and needle-felted slippers.

The slippers were released in autumn 2023. Since then, Northern Promise has seen a steady growth. Heimen Husfliden stores, with a history dating back to the 1890s, as well as museum shops were among the first to sell the slippers. The brand’s online shop followed in September 2024, while Rudsrud has also been expanding the number of stores she works with.

The first collection of slippers was handmade by skilled women in Nepal with 100 per cent wool from New Zealand. The slippers are felted, which makes the wool stronger, but also warmer. The second collection arrived from Italy just before Christmas. It features a new style, with a slimmer fit and is embroidered, not needle-felted.

“I have a great interest in our national costume, bunad, where much of the inspiration comes from,” adds Rudsrud. She also finds inspiration in traditional rose-painting and a patterned, woven carpet called åkle, which has been used in Norway since the Middle Ages.

Photo: Marion Hansen

Web: www.northernpromise.no
Facebook: northernpromise.no
Instagram: @barfotbynorthernpromise