Interwoven: Kvadrat Textile and Design's new monograph
Self-congratulatory company monographs normally go straight into our reject pile. But when the subject is Danish textile innovators Kvadrat, you know it's at least worth a quick flick through. Interwoven: Kvadrat Textile and Design is worth much more than that.
A collaboration with the publishers Prestel and Robert Violette, designed by GTF and with a foreword by Peter Saville, the book, and it's a whopper, is a celebration of more than 40 years of creative partnerships with artists, architects and designers. That list of collaborators is a remarkable roll call that stretches from Verner Panton and Nanna Ditzel through Tord Boontje and the Bouroullecs to David Adjaye, Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson and Saville himself. With contributions from many of those on the list, the book is the story of a company that has defined the use of textiles, and in many ways colour, in architecture. And for almost half a century. But also it tells of relationships that go way beyond the standard designer-client and artist-commercial patron arrangements.
A lot of space is given over to the brand's collaboration with the Bouroullecs - which seems right, given the perfect fit between Kvadrat and the brothers' particular poetic functionalism. But there is also a fantastic photo essay from Wallpaper* regular Joël Tettamanti, tracing the production of Kvadrat fabrics from yarn suppliers in the rolling English countryside to precision-printing equipment in Switzerland. And while Kvadrat's engagement with artists is relatively recent, its ongoing relationships with Eliasson and in particular Demand, are evidence of what is possible when an artist is given the chance to explore new materials and new technologies. As Saville says: 'Kvadrat is not part of some marketing strategy, deliberately making inroads into art to communicate their brand. That has not yet contaminated the way Kvadrat work and I hope it never will. They get more involved than that, supporting, developing and fabricating amazing things, and with a real spirit of liberal, creative endeavour.'
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2024: meet the practices
In the Wallpaper* Architects Directory 2024, our latest guide to exciting, emerging practices from around the world, 20 young studios show off their projects and passion
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
St. Vincent on designing her Klaus Nomi-inspired guitar line
St. Vincent is a Wallpaper* guest editor for 2024. Here, she unpacks her long-standing relationship with the guitar. It started with wearing one in front of a mirror. Who knows how it ends. But somewhere in the middle, there is fun and freedom and a well-tailored instrument
By St. Vincent Published
-
Artist Jonathan Baldock plays hide and seek with the windows of Hermès' London flagship
A series of fantastical, brightly coloured hedges, dotted with peepholes, transform Hermès' New Bond Street store, offering an interactive experience for the passerby
By Anne Soward Published
-
First look: clay meets paper and textiles in Henry Holland's new collection for Harlequin
Henry Holland, the fashion designer-turned-ceramicist, has teamed up with Harlequin for a range of playful, tactile wallpapers and textiles
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
Nick Cave unveils vibrant textile collection inspired by his artworks
American artist Nick Cave’s vibrant creations have inspired an enchanting collection of home fabrics and wallcoverings for Knoll Textiles
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Cover stories: quilts inspired by architecture and design on show at Glasgow's Modern Institute
Arrange Whatever Pieces Come Your Way creates unique, handmade covers inspired by art, architecture and apparel – now on view at The Modern Institute, Glasgow, until September 2022
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Maharam explores Alexander Girard’s creative legacy
Maharam celebrates the world of Alexander Girard through new collections of graphic upholstery fabrics, rugs and wallpapers designed between the 1950s and 1970s, and a short film exploring the American designer's relationship with New Mexico
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Buro Belén pushes material boundaries to enhance daily living
Dutch designers Brecht Duijf and Lenneke Langenhuijsen of Buro Belén – named by Formafantasma as one of 25 creative leaders of the future in Wallpaper’s 25th Anniversary Issue ‘5x5’ project – explore materials and space
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Chrissa Amuah designs upholstery textiles inspired by her Ghanaian heritage for Bernhardt Design
Bernhardt Design unveils its collaboration with Chrissa Amuah: titled Duality, the collection of upholstery fabrics features six patterns and 56 colourways, inspired by the British-Ghanaian designer's heritage
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Raf Simons offers a softer touch with new fabrics for Kvadrat
Raf Simons on the homely spirit of his seventh textile drop with Danish company Kvadrat
By Sujata Burman Last updated
-
We're tickled pink by Design Haus Liberty and Yerra's Peruvian alpaca picnic set
Luxury rug maker Yerra and architecture studio Design Haus Liberty humanely sourced the finest Peruvian alpaca fur for ‘Isla’ – an ethical and sustainable Wallpaper* Handmade X project
By Henrietta Thompson Last updated