Our Story
Saddler Johannes Palmgren founded Palmgrens in 1896 with address Sibyllegatan in Stockholm, a location that was to become the residence for both the family and the company. Since its inception 120 years ago Palmgrens has consistently developed the range with respect to both raw material and craftsmanship, with a clear imprint on the basis of our history. The vegetable tanned leather with the preservation of a genuine craft tradition is the basis of all production.
Johannes Palmgren established early in his career a very high reputation and received in 1903 the title by Appointment to H.M the King of Sweden.
The store was at that time located at Sibyllegatan 17, one block away from our current address.
Already there stood the large leather and wooden counters that are presenting our products today, accompanied by the majestic grey wooden horse, the horse that is recognized and appreciated by generations of customers and visitors to Stockholm. The story told us that it belonged to the Master Saddler Jacob Fagerberg (1769-1830), one of his era's most prestigious Saddlers in Stockholm.
The horse, initially used for try-outs of saddles and harness, has become our most loyal employee.
When launched in 1896, the brand offered customers a range where all types of riding and horse equipment such as saddles, bridles, driving harness and trappings was presented, a time when we were traveling by horse and buggy or saddle in Stockholm. Palmgrens soon expanded its product line successfully with handbags, briefcases, suitcases, desk accessories, jewellery boxes and trunks. All products were produced in Palmgrens own atelier, located in the courtyard houses at Sibyllegatan and Grev Turegatan.
Palmgrens offered bespoke pieces for private homes and public space and eventually interiors for cars and airplanes. Palmgrens interest in combining leather with other materials such as wood, glass and silver would evolve into collaborations with highly renowned craftsmen of varoius fields. The tradition of collaborating between artistic fields is a tradition we proudly carry on.
In 1950 Palmgrens launched the Classic Rattan Bag, the ateliers swedish version of the woven baskets women around the mediterranean wore. Our Rattan bag has kept a strong position in the product range and has been interpreted and updated into several models and colour combinations. Through its unique combination of material and shape it has attracted generations.
Our collection is in constant development and in recent years we are proud to have launched collaborations with both companies and swedish designers of various fields such as House of Dagmar, Maria Nilsdotter, Save the Children, Beckmans College of Design, Thomas Sandell and Monica Förster
Our latest colloboration with the creative adviser and designer Emma Olbers was launched in spring 2017 and was her interpretation of our signature combination of rattan and leather.