[ad_1]
Maybe you realize Athena Calderone from her life-style website EyeSwoon, or maybe the Brooklyn-based leisure professional’s bestsellers. Residing good and Prepare dinner good, the latter of which received a prestigious James Beard Award for Pictures. Design aficionados might know her Instagram web page, which has over 750,000 followers (together with Jennifer Aniston and Rachel Cargle) flocking to her calm, structured fashion. However no matter your introduction, it’s clear that Calderone has good style, a incontrovertible fact that proves the most recent medium of the multidisciplinary artistic: a collaboration with the textile masters of Beni Rugs.
The ensuing fall Damaged Symmetry assortment consists of 12 deep pile carpets hand-woven by Moroccan artisans and dyed with sun-bleached hues impressed by Calderone’s journeys to Marrakech – a visit in 2005 that continues to affect the designer’s fashion. Equally vital is the work of the Mexican architect Luis Barragán, who impressed the geometric shapes of Calderone’s collaboration with Robert Wright and Tiberio Lobo-Navia, co-founders of Beni Rugs. Since every bit is hand made, no sample is actually excellent, however that’s the great thing about Moroccan rug making and a boon to these looking for distinctive residence treasures on the web.
We spoke to Calderone and the Beni Rugs crew to seek out out extra about Damaged Symmetry, what the collaboration course of was like and what makes them most proud.
* Pictures by Simon Watson.
That is your first huge foray into product design – what was the spotlight of the expertise? And the large studying curve?
Calderon: The spotlight was undoubtedly the method – the place I began was by no means the place I ended up. I’d distill, refine, take away, add. Usually occasions I’d spin in circles simply to land the place I began, whereas somewhere else I’d find yourself in a totally new place that I by no means thought would land. Though annoyed at occasions, I discovered to get pleasure from pondering and, like Alice, allowed myself to go down the rabbit gap the place roadblocks all of the sudden grew to become resolutions. I additionally cherished the chance to expertise “the appeal of the hand” and uncover the magical artwork of Moroccan carpet making. I’ve all the time been intrigued by the background to my design work, so this collaboration felt like a pure extension.
How was the collaboration course of?
Beni carpets: The collaboration course of was easy, insightful, and enjoyable! We exchanged reference footage, spent months on the cellphone, and despatched samples of dyed yarn backwards and forwards between Marrakech and NYC. It culminated in an unforgettable journey to Mallorca to {photograph} the gathering. This was the primary time we noticed the carpets as a collective – we had been like youngsters on Christmas morning ripping open FedEx packages.
Calderon: The Beni crew and I share a love for craftsmanship, for the unknown, for coexistence and for the imperfections that Moroccan carpet manufacture celebrates. This was the frequent thread that was woven into every piece. I’m actually grateful for this insightful and joyful expertise.
I’d like to understand how you ended up on the colours you selected.
Calderon: Throughout my first journey to Marrakech a few years in the past, I scoured the souks for carpets and discovered to understand texture and patina from the brand new textiles, muted solar tones and rudimentary supplies I discovered. This expertise left an indelible mark on my design standpoint and the way I see the world. It additionally enabled me to see juxtaposition, symmetry, and imperfection by means of a brand new lens. I used to be impressed by this journey, together with the shapes, tones and textures that I skilled, and integrated them into this primary carpet assortment. These sun-muffled shades additionally seem timeless and mix the country with the fashionable.
What attracted you to the world of carpets? What do you like about them
Calderon: I’ve all the time been drawn to the feel and completely imperfect shapes of Moroccan carpets. Their tactile texture and hand-woven rusticity match completely into any inside, from fashionable to conventional. I additionally suppose it is nice that they don’t seem to be valuable. The extra you stroll on them, reside with them, the higher they get, making them an excellent possibility for households and pet homeowners.
This assortment is all about honoring the “appeal of the hand”. Are you able to clarify this sense in additional element? How does this have an effect on the method and the ultimate design?
Beni carpets: The appeal of the hand actually lies on the core of Moroccan carpet making. The methods we use to make our carpets haven’t modified in hundreds of years. Every rug is made solely by hand. Meaning no two are alike. No line will ever be precisely straight; no two squares will ever be precisely the identical dimension. In a world of accelerating mass manufacturing, we worth this factor. There’s additionally one thing to be mentioned for ready for a product to go loopy – it displays the sincere, genuine follow that goes into one thing made only for you.
What are you most happy with on this assortment? What makes it stand out?
Beni carpets: We’re actually proud to accomplice with a artistic and a good friend whose aesthetic matches ours so nicely. The development of the colour palette with these lovely, sun-washed hues is an actual development in our objective of fusing modern, world design influences with historical craftsmanship and conventional high quality.
Calderon: It was an excellent honor for me to see my designs come to life. I’m so grateful to have labored so carefully with a crew that’s really aligned with the identical values as me – authenticity, high quality and craftsmanship. I feel the damaged symmetry of the patterns and colours makes this carpet assortment one thing particular. It feels timeless and but contemporary on the identical time.
Purchase the Athena Calderone x Beni Rugs Assortment, Damaged Symmetry at BeniRugs.com
[ad_2]
Discussion about this post