The Architecture of Quiet Luxury
Architect and designer Mette Rødtnes creates objects and spaces that whisper rather than shout. With her namesake label RODTNES, she translates her architectural sensibility into sculptural leather pieces defined by timeless proportions, impeccable craftsmanship, and a belief in fewer, better things. Each bag is conceived as a companion to modern life - pragmatic yet poetic, understated yet deeply personal.
In this conversation, Mette reflects on her design philosophy, the origins of RODTNES, and why true luxury lies not in spectacle, but in objects that last.
Mette Rødtnes
Q: You work across architecture, interiors, and product. Where does RODTNES sit within that universe?
Mette Rødtnes: For me, there’s no hierarchy between an architectural space, a piece of furniture, or an object like a bag - it’s all connected. Whether I’m designing a home or a handbag, it’s about creating balance between form, function, and emotion. With RODTNES, I bring the same architectural approach I use in interiors: thoughtful proportions, a critical approach to materials and an obsession with detail. A handle should feel as natural in your hand as a staircase invites you upward.
Q: Your interior studio talks about designing feelings and behaviour, not just spaces. Does that philosophy carry into RODTNES?
MR: Absolutely. When we shape a physical environment, we also shape the way people move, feel, and interact. A bag works the same way. It’s like a small piece of architecture you carry with you - a companion that quietly organizes your day, offers reassurance in its solidity, and adds a certain calm confidence to how you move through the world.
Q: RODTNES has a very distinct material language. How do you choose materials?
MR: I’m uncompromising when it comes to materials. We work exclusively with premium, natural leathers where the grain is honest and the character unique to each hide. Every detail matters: the subtle edge paint, the stitch density, the quiet weight of a zipper pull. We source from audited partners and produce in small runs, ensuring every piece has the integrity to last. When you hold a RODTNES bag, you should feel its quality immediately and trust it for years.
RODTNES leathers are ethically sourced from carefully chosen LWG Gold Standard-certified tanneries.
Q: Many luxury brands talk about longevity. What does “created to last” mean to you?
MR: It’s about more than durability; it’s about relevance over time. Proportions that don’t date. Materials that can be nourished and repaired. We design beyond seasons and resist trends because I want each piece to stay with you for a long time. That intimacy is the true definition of luxury.
Q: How do you balance refinement with everyday practicality?
MR: By designing for real life from the very beginning. Where does the phone live? How does the strap behave over a coat? Can you open it one-handed when you’re juggling keys and coffee? I don’t believe beauty should fight against your routines - it should elevate them.
Q: You’ve said before that design touches identity. What identity does RODTNES speak to?
MR: RODTNES speaks to the person who invests in fewer, better things. Someone who values quiet certainty over spectacle, who seeks meaning and longevity in the objects they live with. To me, a bag shouldn’t perform for the room - it should support your sense of self.
Q: Your practice is rooted in Danish design, yet you also created a house for yourself in Piedmont, Italy. How has that influenced your work?
MR: Building Villa Roccaverano was transformative. Working with ancient, local stone and designing to frame the spectacular views on the site expanded my conception of permanence and place. That same sensitivity carries into RODTNES. I want to create objects that are grounded - pieces that live with you and become part of your rituals, like a favourite room you return to again and again.
Villa Roccaverano is designed by Mette Rødtnes
Q: Tell us about a piece that captures the RODTNES point of view.
MR: The Loretta bag was the very first RODTNES design, and in many ways, it still defines everything we stand for. It’s an exploration of timeless proportions - soft, sculptural curves balanced by a clean, architectural silhouette. The design is understated yet unmistakably confident, with subtle detailing that reveals itself the more you live with it. The natural, full-grain leather is carefully selected for its unique character and finished with hand-painted edges and discreet, brushed-gold hardware that catches the light without ever demanding attention. Inside, the structure is deliberate and intuitive: just enough compartments to organize your essentials without dictating how you use it. Loretta was where it all began, and over time it has quietly gained a kind of cult status among RODTNES customers - loved for its timeless elegance and the way it becomes more personal and beautiful with every year of wear.
Loretta Workbag was designed by Mette Rødtnes in 2012 and is the first item in the RODTNES collection.
Q: Finally, if a reader is considering their first RODTNES piece, where should they begin?
MR: Start with what your day truly demands. If you’re constantly in motion and need a bag that’s perfect for whatever you do, Vesper is an effortless companions. If you carry your world with you, Juniper is the most comfortable, large bag you can find. And if you have a demanding workday, our laptop sleeves and pouches bring calm and order without compromise. The right bag is the one you reach for instinctively - that’s when it becomes more than an accessory.
RODTNES pieces are not designed to follow fashion’s rhythms but to outlast them. Each bag carries the quiet confidence of something made with intention - objects that become part of your story rather than passing through it. In a world of constant noise, Mette Rødtnes offers something rare: luxury that reveals itself slowly, over time.
Discover the collection here.