* A-Kay Studio: Kvadrat x Raf Simons

Friday, May 23, 2014

Kvadrat x Raf Simons

In this column, creatives cleverly reinterpret AnOther's most desired objects of the season
— May 7, 2014 —

Kvadrat x Raf Simons Artwork by Anna Karlin Studio

Designer and art director Anna Karlin explores the work of Kvadrat x Raf Simons

The Raf Simons / Kvadrat collaboration is the meeting of two artisans: the Danish textile company and the Belgian designer, both noted for their use of colour, rich fabric and a modernist approach to design. NYC-based designer and art director Anna Karlin has created a series of GIFs for AnOther that explore the geometry, deep hues and bouclé twills of the 11-piece interior collection, which includes throws, blankets, cushions and fabrics in lavender, pink, speckled green and bright blue reminiscent of Simons' A/W14 Dior pop-colour collection.

"We began by looking at reccuring shapes from mid-century modern design and played around with creating patterns from what we found," Karlin explains. "We then incorporated the textiles which work so well with the bold but simple shapes from this period." A furniture designer herself, Karlin was instantly drawn to the collection. "I love the colour palette," she enthuses. "The use of muted darks and neutrals mixed with pops of dusty brights is ace, as is the use of heavy texture."

"The collection comprises throws, blankets, cushions and fabrics reminiscent of Simons' A/W14 Dior pop-colour collection"

Simons is a furniture enthusiast and collector of 20th century design and ceramics, which feeds into his eponymous menswear label and Dior collections, which are dense in upholstery-inspired fabric and inspiration. Kvadrat textiles were worked through his Raf Simons / Sterling Ruby A/W14-15 collection, woven in constructivist stripes and De Stijl block colours across woolen coats and knitwear. His collections have been continually inspired by Bauhaus, from his A/W03 graphic knitwear to his debut Dior S/S13 collection of colour-blocked minimalism and architectural silhouettes.

Founded in 1968, Kvadrat are a leading manufacturer of furnishing fabrics, with credits including The Gherkin, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Bilbao Guggenheim and the Copenhagen Opera House. The idea for the partnership was first seeded during Simons A/W11 collection for Jil Sander, when he used the upholstery twill for his heavy-duty woolen coats.