Our story

Lillunn was founded in 1953 by Norwegian designer Unn Søiland Dale, with the brand name derived from her nickname, "Lille Unn" (Little Unn). As a pioneering female entrepreneur, she gained international recognition for popularizing high-quality wool garments. Her unique design aesthetic, inspired by a deep love for Norwegian nature, remains at the heart of the brand today.

The blanket coat was inspired by the tradition on cruise lines, such as Hurtigruten, where wool blankets were used to stay warm on deck. The iconic animal patterned deck- blankets by Holmboe, dating back to 1920, has remained a Lillunn staple ever since they were introduced in our collections in the 70s. The blanket coats continues to be one of our core products, symbolizing Norwegian heritage and our love for exploring nature.

Unn Søiland Dale, founder of Lillunn, began her design career as a model in Paris in the 1950s. She designed handknits like Marius, which she exported across Europe. In the late 70s, she collaborated with Parisian fashion houses such as Dior and Givenchy to create innovative handknit collections. She also worked with Jean Charles de Castelbajac on blanket collections, which have since become Lillunn's main focus. Many of the blanket patterns are inspired by traditional Norwegian handknit designs.

Norwegian tradition and culture lie at the heart of our brand. Norway has a rich history of producing wool textiles for both clothing and home. Many of our products are crafted from Norwegian wool using traditional techniques. We prioritize local sourcing and continue to produce made-to-order items in Norway at Lillunn’s original factory.