‘We have a bit of a story to tell,’ begins Ngaire Wex. The Brisbane-born graphic designer worked in Melbourne before relocating to Shanghai, and later Munich, the home of her partner Micha Kumpf, in 2015. ‘We moved to Germany to learn bookbinding from Micha’s Dad, who is a second-generation master bookbinder in the city of Eisenach, and we also wanted to find a way to carry on his craft,’ explains Ngaire, whose background is in book design, while Micha’s focus is branding.
In between Europe and Australia, the designers lived a ‘fast paced, high-velocity’ lifestyle in China, and made several influential visits to Japan. ‘We were so inspired by Japanese attention to detail, how they present products in shops, and how much love and care they put into presentation,’ recalls Ngaire. ‘We also came to appreciate the value of handcraft, as well as how mastery is passed on and developed from generation to generation.’
Later, working with Micha’s father in Germany, the desire to encompass these values in a project percolated. Several concepts and prototypes arose, until late last year when the duo put Wrappu into production. This range of fold-it-yourself packaging designs (aka Wrappus!) is an attempt to bring thoughtful sensibilities and beauty to Western giftwrap.
Wrappu’s product range is made in Ngaire and Micha’s Munich studio using 100 per cent recycled card stock. Their overarching aesthetic is one of contrasts. ‘Mixing opposing forces – we find that’s where really exciting things happen!’ tells Ngaire, who draws on her skills as a calligrapher. ‘We really love paper and the nostalgia of it, but we want to bring that into a modern context and create something new to enjoy.’
More information and giftboxes are available (with international shipping) from the Wrappu website, here.
