IKEA’s New Collection Features a Ruffled Take on Its Signature Blue Bag

IKEA’s bright blue Frakta bag is prepped to reach a new level of fame come September. The retailer’s latest collaborator, fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes (known for her work with Princess Diana and Freddie Mercury—no biggie), has designed a sure-to-sell-out take on the iconic tote: hot pink with ruffles around each side. 

Rhodes doesn’t believe in limiting boldness in order to maximize functionality. “It’s not a collection to be ignored; it’s one to be noticed and admired,” she tells IKEA while decked out in a metallic copper caftan and her signature fuchsia bob. So the other storage solutions in her 26-piece line aren’t only going to problem-solve, they’re going to look fabulous at the same time. Fringed under-bed bins and cobalt blue hatboxes are a reminder that everything in your home should make you happy, even if it’s not going on display.  

Color commitment-phobe? According to Rhodes, “The key is to start with one piece, see if it brings you joy, sit with it for a while, and then expand from there.” The candlestick holders, vases, and lamps are well suited to a test run, adding visual interest and texture without loud patterns. Or stick to a wardrobe refresh—the precut fabrics come with a “make your own caftan” tutorial video by the designer. Before you know it, it’ll be hard to believe you ever lived without fun frills and highlighter hues. As Rhodes says, “The only challenge was making sure the collection was full of things that people not only wanted but felt like they absolutely had to have.”