5 3 Regardless of whether it is considered ‘on trend’, every interior must have a high-quality finish. “All materials must be strong, quick and easy to clean and maintain, and simple to replace if they are damaged,” explains Nordberg. “For our guests to be satisfied and have an enjoyable onboard experience, all of our interiors must be in perfect condition – even if the ship hasn’t been refurbished for several years.” To achieve this, Viking Line must choose designers, outfitters and other contractors carefully. “Some contractors don’t understand our need to have decorative elements that are simple to maintain and possible to upgrade,” says Nordberg. “For example, when we ask for non-visible screw fixings on decorative elements, most people would suggest using glue, but this makes it very complicated to renew these items during refurbishments. However, contractors who are familiar with the passenger shipping industry will be able to come up with innovative solutions.” Although the shipyard typically chooses outfitters and subcontractors, Viking Line gives the final approval. “We closely analyse their past projects to ensure they will complete our vessels to a high standard and deliver them on time and within budget,” says Nordberg. “We continuously follow up with these contractors during the design and construction phases by reviewing workshop drawings, mock-ups and any prefabricated pieces or modules to ensure everything meets our expectations.” Once ships are in service, Viking Line sustains this quality by inviting passengers and ‘mystery shoppers’ to share feedback. “Ultimately, we want our guests to have an enjoyable onboard experience and we’ll do everything in our power to achieve that aim,” concludes Nordberg. CFI “We need to have designs that satisfy all customer preferences and expectations” Johan Nordberg, Viking Line FEATURE Although interior design evolves slowly and fashions change seasonally, it comes as no great surprise that the two are gradually converging. People are now more interested in the little details that make designs unique and individual, so there is a focus on using bespoke or handmade elements in both fashion and design. This has created more room for self-expression, playfulness, and creativity, and resulted in a move away from simple, clean and minimalist designs in both areas. When it comes to interior design, collaboration is a powerful way to create something new and innovative. Hence, instead of simply slapping their fashion branding onto furniture or soft furnishings, major fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Prada, Hermes and Heron Preston are now collaborating closely with home designers to make products that feel more personal and bespoke. Similar bespoke pieces created by both fashion and interior design experts are also making their way to sea on passenger ships. These pieces help guests to forge connections between design, art and fashion. LaCisha McMullen, interior architect at YSA Design The power of fashion in design Photo: YSA Design
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