Sometimes You Need to Travel to New York to Meet an Estonian Designer
“Estonia has only 1.3 million people. So… do you all know each other?”
It’s probably the question I’m asked most often by our international Design Tours guests.
The answer is no.
But every now and then, life has a wonderful sense of irony.
Last year I travelled to New York with one goal in mind: to discover how Estonian design is presented on one of the world’s most competitive stages. Several Estonian brands had joined forces with CANVAS Concept Store to create two pop-up showcases in SoHo and Downtown Manhattan, and naturally they became highlights of my design exploration.
While guiding fellow design enthusiasts through these exhibitions, I discovered there was yet another Estonian design showcase. This time at Scandinavia House in Midtown Manhattan.
Of course, I had to visit.
As I wandered through the exhibition, I was genuinely proud to see Estonian creativity represented so beautifully thousands of kilometres from home. I captured photos and videos, shared them on social media, and a few days later received a message from one of the featured designers.
It was Anne-Liis, the founder and glass artist behind HYTI Design.
She asked whether I had any additional footage from the exhibition.
I did.
We exchanged a few messages and agreed that once I returned from New York—after exploring its design scene, architecture, museums and food culture—I would visit her studio in Tallinn.
A few weeks later, we met at HYTI Design’s inspiring studio by Kalaranna.
It felt as though we’d known each other much longer.
Sometimes all it takes is crossing the Atlantic Ocean to meet someone who lives just a few kilometres away.
This is exactly what I love most about creating DesignTours.
They are never just about beautiful objects or talented designers. They are about people, unexpected encounters, and the stories behind every creation. Every studio visit adds another chapter, another relationship, another reason to appreciate the creativity that Estonia has to offer.
So if you’re curious about Estonian design beyond the shop window. If you’d really like to meet the people who create it, hear their stories and experience their work firsthand – I would be delighted to welcome you on one of our Design Tours.
Who knows?
Your favourite Estonian design story might begin with a simple walk through Tallinn.
