A Conversation with Sweden Unlimited: On Unique Journeys & Design Excellence

A conversation with Sweden Unlimited

Welcome to our inaugural edition of SoDA Series Live On AIR, a podcast edition of our monthly livestream conversations with creative leaders from around the world. This edition shares the personal journeys from the founders behind Sweden Unlimited, their passion for design, and their unique path to leading a successful creative agency. SoDA Series Live is a collaboration between SoDA, the Society of Digital Agencies, and Adobe. This podcast is edited from a previously recorded LinkedIn livestream. If you’d like to watch the full conversation you may do so here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7111045393282437120/comments/

Speaker Bios -

RICHARD AGERBEEK

Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer

Richard Agerbeek, Co-Founder, and Chief Creative Officer at Sweden Unlimited, has played a pivotal role in driving the company's success in creating digital products and e-commerce platforms. Richard embarked on his path to Sweden Unlimited in the late 1990s by transitioning from the art world to join an electronic rock band called Sweden, alongside twin sisters Leja and Alex Kress. This collaboration merged the trio’s shared interests in music, art, and technology. Shortly after, Richard became an early pioneer of digital design, crafting some of the industry's most dynamic e-commerce websites. This led to collaborations with notable brands such as Herzog & de Meuron, Assouline, Nowness, DVF, and Alexander Wang, in addition to founding a fashion, art, and music editorial website, Ravelin Magazine. Richard's career is defined by a dedication and passion for blending aesthetic beauty with functional design, and a continuous push to innovate within the online retail space.

LEJA KRESS

Co-Founder and CEO

As Co-Founder and CEO of Sweden Unlimited, Leja Kress spearheads new business development and shapes the agency's vision and strategy. Starting as models for leading designers in 1990s New York City, Leja and her twin sister Alex transitioned into a photography duo. Recognizing the absence of e-commerce solutions for fashion brands, Leja taught herself how to code and established Sweden Unlimited in 2000, where she began working with the top names in fashion, beauty, luxury, and lifestyle. At Sweden, her standout achievements encompass spearheading e-commerce projects for Michael Kors, Akris, Lanvin, and Lagos, initiating Sweden’s content offering for clients Estee Lauder, Coty, and Elizabeth Arden, and establishing editorial websites for W Magazine, James Beard, and V Magazine. She majored in Studio Art at NYU and is married to Co-Founder Richard Agerbeek.

ALEX KRESS

Co-Founder and Chief Client Officer

As the Co-Founder and Chief Client Officer of Sweden Unlimited, Alex Kress oversees the day-to-day client needs through a holistic cross-functional view that is integral to ensuring that the project is consistently aligned to the client's objectives. Alex has led the Sweden team through redesigns and e-commerce implementations for brands such as OPI, Shiseido, Kate Spade, W Hotels, Mansur Gavriel and Pandora. With a degree in Fine Arts from NYU and a background in modeling and photography, Alex contributed to the development of the digital media departments for Archive Photos and Art + Commerce before the launch of Sweden Unlimited. LINKS -

SWEDEN BAND INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sweden.music.nyc/

SWEDEN BANDCAMP -

http://sweden2.bandcam