Meet Kristina, she loves the duality of city and mountain life

Here at Nordfolks, we’re always curious to learn more about people’s design choices. That is why we have decided to interview various people and hear their thoughts on design. This time we’ve had a chat with Kristina Giske. This girl is a previous New Yorker, the founder of Fjell Snowboards and Head of Agency. Exciting, huh? 

1.Hi Kristina! We would love to get to know you a little better. Who are you and what makes you happy?
I’m the Head of Agency in Vest Studio here in Ålesund. In addition to that I’m the Co-Founder of the Norwegian snowboard brand FJELL^. However, it is my son that brings true happiness into my life.

2.How would you describe your relationship with Norwegian nature?
I spend most of my weekend in the mountains. Whenever I find time, that’s where I go. During winter I splitboard and when spring arrives I bring my tent and spend both days and nights outside. 



3. How was it to move back to Norway after living in New York?
Even though I missed the mountains, I loved our everyday life in New York. With a son in elementary school close to our neighborhood in Yorkville, life was very flexible. I worked wherever and found so much beauty within our five blocks.

Being back in Ålesund means more time outdoors, in addition to more time with friends and family. Not only that, the coffee here is so much better.

 

4.Have you always been passionate about design?
Yes! I remember my father’s stacks of House & Garden back in the 90s. He always talked about preserving old buildings and that definitely influenced how I look at the world. I bought my first designer item as a student, two turquoise 7 chairs that I couldn’t really afford, designed by Arne Jacobsen.

I like Danish design from the 50s and 60s, but the Norwegian design items feel even more exotic. I also find great inspiration in the Japanese simpleness, it truly calms me down. And although Japanese culture is nothing like Norwegian culture, the low-key vibe is quite similar.

5.Is there one design item that means more to you than others?
Absolutely. My two original oak Krobo benches designed by Torbjørn Afdal means a lot to me.

6.What are you most excited about right now?
I can’t wait until we are allowed to visit our second home in New York again. Until then, I’m looking forward to summer and tenting in the mountains.