Dezeen Magazine

Bouroullec brothers to launch first fabric collection in Milan for Kvadrat

Milan 2014: French design duo Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec will introduce their first fabric collection of upholstery textiles knitted from jersey in Milan next month (+ slideshow).

Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design
Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design

The Canal, Moraine and Gravel collections by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have been created for Danish textile brand Kvadrat.

"At the very beginning of our research there was a fascination for the structural traits of textiles that, observed under a magnifying glass, can be interpreted like a lattice of threads - building marvellous architectures," said the designers.

Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design_dezeen_6
Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design

Each fabric is created using a double jersey knit, made from a front and a back layer that, when knitted together, show the elements of the internal structure on the surface.

Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design_dezeen_4

The front layer is made from a mix of wool and polyester yarns that combine dark and light coloured fibres, while the back layer is made from polyester yarns in a single vivid colour.

Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design_dezeen_5
Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design

"To reach this particular irregularity of wool colour, we chose to use a very soft dyeing treatment that resulted in a coloured surface made of diluted tones," said the designers. "Polyester, as a synthetic material, provides an intense plain colour accent."

Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design_dezeen_7
Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design

The collection will be launched next month during the Salone Internazionale Del Mobile at Kvadrat's Milan showroom.

Here is some information from the designer:


Canal, Moraine, Gravel for KVADRAT

Three collections of 3D knitted and stretch upholstery fabric.

Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design_dezeen_11
Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design

Constructed using a double jersey knit, the collections reveal new surfaces of slightly quilted fabric combining the stretch flexibility and firmness necessary to upholster a wide variety of shapes with the possibility of less points of stitching.

Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design_dezeen_9
Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design

The knitted front layer of the textiles is made from fine melange wool and polyester yarns, which combines dark and light fibres. This ensures that they have a sensuous touch and feature a rich play of warm, delicate and irregular colour nuances.

Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design_dezeen_14
Kvadrat fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design

The knitted back layer is made from unicoloured polyester yarns, in accent colours. These provide firmness and structure.