Fabric Of Life

Mary Gaudin visits a charming suburban wasteland – a collaboration by Kvadrat and fashion designer Raf Simons, based on the post-war houses of Jean Prouvé.

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Three years ago I was in Milan during Milan Design Week. It was my first time to the event and one of my favourite discoveries was the Danish furniture company Kvadrat.

The brand’s Milan showroom is down a little alley on Corso Magenta. With lighting company Flos as a neighbour and windows to a small plaza, it’s a very Italian space, albeit with a Scandinavian feel. What drew me to Kvadrat was their seemingly simple fabric designs, which effortlessly balance technology and craft. They collaborate with some pretty incredible designers, too.

To showcase their sixth fabric collaboration with Raf Simons, Kvadrat teamed with the designer to present the installation ‘No Man’s Land’. Held in a derelict warehouse in a residential Milanese suburb, an enormous floral display by Belgian florist Mark Colle introduced the space: the wildflower carpet mirrored the textures and colours in Simons’ new collection.