Nordinary: A Taste of Scandinavia in Paris

If you’re going to start a business in Paris, you had better have an impressive inventory with something new to offer. In the capital of fashion, shoppers have pretty much seen it all and it takes a lot to make an impression. Even if your company is Internet-based, the reputation of having a Paris headquarters is both challenging and prestigious. French company Nordinary stands out from the crowd, both in their brick-and-mortar store and online, by offering trendy Scandinavian products for kids.

Six years ago founder Estelle Schnellman was a journalist with a nose for both international news and fashion trends. She noticed that Scandinavian-style furniture, clothes and children’s’ toys were sought after across Europe and had captured the eye of shoppers on the other side of the Atlantic as well. It wasn’t hard to see why; Scandinavian designers are innovative and aren’t afraid to break the rules of traditional design. Whether they’re making sweaters, bikes, chairs or cookware, they seem to be able to produce items that are both visually striking and extremely functional.

Schnellman was first drawn to the Nordic style with her two children in mind; she loved the appearance and wearability of the clothing. These were distinctively designed clothes that kids could be comfortable in running, jumping and climbing. Eventually, she decided to make her passion into a business, and Nordinary was born.

Nordinary carries a varied selection of shirts, pants, leggings, baby attire, rain boots and more, all in the bright, quirky style that’s the signature of modern Scandinavian kids’ wear. The colors and patterns bring ski clothing to mind, but with bold colors and variety of prints. There’s also room décor like sheets and blankets, as well as mealtime accessories including lunchboxes and thermoses. Schnellman looks for standout pieces by both established and emerging artists from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and has plans to expand her inventory to meet increasing customer demand.

This year, Nordinary will open Scandinavian by Nature, a ”store within a store.” This segment will focus on more traditional Scandinavian designs for the home, featuring natural materials like wood and softer, subtle color schemes. This old-fashioned Nordic-style shopping experience is meant to be a complement to the more modern offerings found in the main store.

See what’s happening at www.nordinary.fr