Tête-à-Tête with Caisa Leifsdotter & Caroline Engelgaar

Hosted by MKDT STUDIO, CAIA LEIFSDOTTER creates a thoughtfully curated exhibition that pays tribute to the enduring beauty of fine craftsmanship. Rooted in a respect for materials and the precision of hand-finished details, timeless forms arise from tactile surfaces and conscious making.

Introducing the creative directors of CAIA LEIFSDOTTER and MKDT Studio, Caisa Leifsdotter & Caroline Engelgaar, in conversation about their collaboration during 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, creative processes and their plans for summer.

18.06.2025

/Please introduce yourself

Caisa Charlotte Leifsdotter, founder & creative director of CAIA LEIFSDOTTER, Swedish-born and grew up in a free-spirited family with generations of craftsmen, architects, and artists. ‘’Today, I live in Copenhagen with my big family. Five years ago, I started the brand, Caia Leifsdotter. I love food, flowers, and old things with history and patina.’’

Caroline Engelgaar, 46, creative director of MKDT Studio. ‘’I live in Copenhagen with my husband and our three children. During the summer months, we retreat to a charming house near Christianshavns Vold, while in the colder seasons, we cozy up in an attic apartment in Frederiksberg. I graduated from Kolding Design School in 2005 and that same year, I co-founded the agency Femmes Regionales with Mie Albæk Nielsen. Until 2021, we developed bespoke conceptual designs, spatial environments, and branding for international design and fashion clients. In August 2022, I joined MKDT Studio as Creative Director.’’

/What is the story behind CAIA LEIFSDOTTER?

CL: Caia has been my nickname since childhood, and it’s still what my friends and family call me—though it can be a bit confusing for some clients.I started the brand because I wanted to do things my own way. The dream was to create something bold in shape, yet adaptable to minimalistic Scandinavian architecture—a brand based on honest materials and genuine craftsmanship.

Kitchens hold a special place in my heart. I’ve been cooking since I was a child, and the kitchen has always been an essential part of my life. It’s where everyday moments and special occasions unfold. I wanted to create kitchens that feel like beautiful pieces of furniture—highly functional, built to last for generations.

The other products I design often come from a deep urge to transform my many ideas into something tangible.

/CAIA LEIFSDOTTER and MKDT Studio have teamed up for 3 Days of Design. Could you describe why you decided to team up?

CE: Our collaboration felt very natural—we share a deep appreciation for refined materials, strong silhouettes, and timeless design. At the core of both our practices lies a commitment to creating enduring, thoughtfully crafted pieces.

/Moving into the new season, how does your wardrobe transform? Do you see similarities and transformations in your home when moving into a new season?

CL: I always panic a little with a new season—I really enjoy having a steady routine. The colder seasons are much easier for me to adapt to. Summer is more difficult—I find it harder to dress professionally when it's warm. I’m much more convenient in my home than my wardrobe, and the shift in our home is more slow. As my furniture, I like my wardrobe to be filled with long lasting items in high quality and with a hence of fine craftsmanship.

CE: My wardrobe evolves primarily through fabrics and colors. The overall silhouettes remain consistent, but in winter I lean into darker, heavier materials, while spring invites a lighter palette and breathable textures. This seasonal rhythm carries into our two homes as well: the attic apartment comes alive with warmer, tactile elements in autumn and winter, while the cottage house near the canal takes on lighter tones and airy accents. The art, however, is a constant thread throughout.

/Your go-to uniform?

CE: A cashmere blouse or crisp poplin shirt, statement silver earrings, tailored trousers, and either a sculptural blazer or a classic double-breasted men’s trench.

CL: Jeans, a t-shirt, and a great blazer—with chunky Italian loafers and big earrings. It always works for me.

/Working as a furniture designer creating beautiful pieces to surround yourself with, does this work reflect on the way you dress?

CL: Absolutely. I swing between jeans and a T-shirt on hectic workshop days, to suiting up for meetings, presentations, and new project launches.

/What inspires you the most in your creative process?

CL: Old things and old architecture. Problem-solving really boosts my creativity. And, of course, nature—especially the Swedish forests and lakes.

CE: I'm deeply inspired by color palettes, materiality, and texture. Artistic references—whether from a specific art movement, a fashion era, or physical artworks—along with literature, play a significant role in shaping my creative outlook.

/How will you spend your summer?

CE: Our family loves the Danish and Swedish summer — the long, light nights and the soft colors, the lakes in the woods, and life by the sea. We will spend the summer on the small island of Bornholm and in the south of Sweden with dear friends.

CL:We’re visiting friends in Nashville, then doing a road trip to NYC where I’ll also check in on a new project. After that, we’ll squeeze in visits to Sweden and Bornholm for some family time. I’ll wrap up the holidays with a few days at our production site in southern Italy.

/Favourite ice cream flavour?

CL: Limone.

CE: Affogato -always.