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Tedrick Yau - The Philippine Star
April 5, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — I had the privilege of a long conversation with Kasper Egelund, CEO and third-generation owner of furniture and home furnishing brand Vipp, at their head office in Copenhagen. One of the things that resonated with me was his design philosophy. He said, “I think that, basically, we should believe in a world with fewer but better products. So you will not hear me speak about making 20 new products a year because we should be really careful with what we innovate. If we are coming out with a new chair, lamp, or kitchen, it somehow needs to be relevant. Otherwise, don't make it.”
The Philippine STAR is the first Philippine broadsheet to have been granted an interview with Kasper. His grandfather, Holgar Nielsen, conceptualized and fabricated the now classic and still-in-demand Vipp pedal bin. He shared his grandfather's legacy and how their bin, simply designed for her grandmother’s salon, made their family’s company a beacon and purveyor of Danish design.
The Dining Area of the Vipp Pencil Case
Today, the company has grown to be more than just a manufacturer of home accessories; it has been servicing kitchen cabinets and furnishing requirements from all over the world.
And to think that in the beginning, Kasper simply wanted to help his mom while still in Copenhagen Business School. But as a graduate of communication and design, he has always been passionate about design and product development.
The kitchen of the Vipp Pencil Case Guesthouse
Things evolved from a simple problem solving and a little mix and match. His grandfather's pedal bins were always used in kitchens. Observing that the kitchens don’t usually match the bin, Kasper pondered, “So, could we make a kitchen that matches the bin?”
An idea sparked, leading to the first Vipp kitchen. No grand strategies, just a step-by-step development of products that Kasper thought could work. Recently, challenged by a different possibility, their latest V3 kitchen model was an answer to his question, “Could we make a full kitchen in aluminium?” The result was a clean and modern freestanding design that can blend in with different kitchen styles. A feature I personally like is its subtlety in appearance, contrasting the heavy duty make with a light hue and clean lines.
The living room of the Vipp Loft
The others, like the bathroom accessories, also stemmed from the pedal bins. Could there be a soap dispenser, toilet brush, or even a towel bar that could match the bin since these will all be next to each other? That, for him, was a problem, which he tried to solve.
The kitchen of the Vipp Loft
The goal for each product is to live up to a consistent standard, have it for a long time, and pass it on. Asked what a crucial aspect in design is, he shares, “Longevity. I think that trends have nothing to do with it. And that might be because when you have sold my grandfather's product for 85 years, it has been on the market and relevant, then you're not too interested in trends.”
The growing following that Danish design has been getting has greatly benefited his company. The appreciation of their lifestyle has been emulated in design inspirations worldwide. For Kasper, beauty and functionality best describe this philosophy, combining simplicity, nice details, a not-so-trendy aesthetic, and good craftsmanship. Not ornamented at all, the look is usually pure and straight to the essence with its materials and form.
On a more personal note, Kasper showed a more relaxed side when I asked about his daily routine. Living by the coast just outside the city center, he bikes to work every day through a nature park. “I get one-and-a-half hours of exercise on my bike, something that gives me peace of mind.” The travel and workout serve as his relaxation, listening to podcasts about business, design, news, and life.
Defining his personal life, he asserted, “I'm trying not to be so busy that it's all back-to-back meetings. It should be a certain amount of freedom and time to reflect because my passion is developing new products and new concepts.”
As to the legacy he wants to impart to his family, he hopes that he has moved a company that was selling trash cans to dentists and doctors in Denmark to a design brand with a universe of products. With his co-workers, on the other hand, he shared, “I might say that we didn't always agree, but I hope they would say that they at least enjoyed being on the team.”
After our conversation, I proceeded to the top floor of the head office, where I was to stay for the night. The head office also housed the Vipp Loft, one of the many Guesthouse concepts that was created by accident. What started as a failure became an admired and sought-after accommodation in different parts of the world.
The Vipp Shelter in Sweden, the first Guesthouse that was ever built, was a commercial disaster. Transporting prefabricated houses via long distances in different parts of the world was an irrational idea. The materials were heavy, took up lots of space, with delivery on different roads and terrains proving to be very challenging. Still, after the Vipp Shelter was completed, it opened the door for the Guesthouse concept. A number of clients wanted to rent the space and experience its unique atmosphere. Kasper realized that from one failure, other things can emerge, turning a problem into a winning and learning experience.
More than an extended showroom, each location has a distinct architecture and interior that creates an immersive experience with the environment where it’s located. Whether it be a cottage by the coast, a glass box in the middle of the woods, or a sky lodge by the mountains, the experience is bound to be unique in each location. Certain locations are executed with a partner in the area, with Vipp overseeing and approving everything that will be done.
Just before we exchanged goodbyes, Kasper remarked, “Tell your friends in the Philippines that we would like to have a Guesthouse in the Philippines.”
With our country’s stunning beaches and beautiful mountain views, the location of a potential Vipp Guesthouse here is something we could all look forward to.
