Borge Mogensen

Borge Mogensen is one of the most recognisable names in Danish Design and known throughout the world. Mogensen started as a cabinet maker in 1934 and later studied furniture design followed by architecture. He graduated from the prestigious Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Furniture School, led by Kaare Klint. Klint and Mogensen would later form a deep and long lasting mutual respect for each others work and design philosophies.

After graduating, Mogensen worked with Kaare Klint and many other influential designers. At the age of 28 he was appointed to the position of chief designer at FDB Møbler design studio. (FDB being the Danish manufacturing and retail cooperative, of which nearly a fifth of the Danish population are members of).

After numerous awards and accolades, Børge Mogensen left FDB in 1950 in order to establish his own studio. In 1952, he started working with a gentleman called Andreas Graversen. In 1955 Graversen took over the famous and respected furniture manufacturer, Fredericia Furniture. Børge Mogensen then became Fredericia Furniture’s first retained designer. He helped shape the vision of the company. Furthermore, he changed the way the world looks at design.

Mogensen’s philosophy is marked by the visual tranquillity of clean, simple lines, with strong construction and uncompromising quality. Yet, it had to be within people’s reach.

Unlike many designers of his time, Mogensen worked mostly with wood. Although his material was typically sourced locally, his designs were inspired from cultures and styles around the world. An example of this is Mogensen’s inspiration from historic works, ethnic arts and Japanese carvings. One of his most famous pieces, the Spanish Chair, was inspired from a trip to Spain. It was launched at an innovative living space exhibition in 1958.

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