Sunbrella®, a leading innovator in performance fabrics and products, proudly announces (re)Material Culture, a Sunbrella installation by Liz Collins at Milan Design Week 2024, featuring Gloster Furniture.
Debuting at Milan Design Week, (re)Material Culture is a holistically immersive experience at Galleria Rossana Orlandi that reimagines how textile waste can come to life in new and inspiring ways.
This extraordinary installation marries Collins’ artistic vision with the global textile legacy of Sunbrella, celebrating a shared goal of a sustainably designed future. The result is a captivating, textural cave-scape: a space that cocoons you in hand-appliqued, fur-like square tiles made from upcycled Sunbrella selvedge, exuding an energy of wildness and renewal.
This material is a by-product of the industrial weaving process and takes center stage in a visual symphony, inspiring a reimagining of selvedge use and celebrating design without boundaries. Focused on the raw inventiveness of material, the collaboration highlights the beauty achievable through circular manufacturing.
“There is a strong intention here for people to be able to have recycled material in their lives… a reminder of care and attention to the transformation of existing materials versus always working with new.” – Liz Collins
Every element of the space is enveloped with Sunbrella selvedge fabric, including the walls, an upholstered Grid sofa by Gloster, accent pillows, knit throws and bags for a holistically immersive gallery experience. In the installation, textures, patterns and recycled stories converge to create a space resonating with the ethos and values of Sunbrella, Liz Collins, and Gloster Furniture.
A Harmonious Fusion of Art, Innovation, and Sustainability
Aligned with the overarching theme of Milan Design Week 2024, “Materia Nature,” which underscores a profound exploration of the intrinsic relationship between matter and nature, (re)Material Culture aims to illuminate the beauty made possible through circular manufacturing, encouraging designers and consumers to reimagine the design possibilities that upcycling enables.
In keeping with the theme of sustainability and renewal, Liz Collins skillfully transforms the original panels from the 2019 Summit Suite installation into smaller square tiles meticulously hand-appliqued onto the walls of the space. This inventive metamorphosis of Sunbrella selvedge creates a new and inspiring checkerboard pattern, breathing fresh life into the past while seamlessly aligning with the brand’s commitment to lessening environmental impact.
Weaving in Collins’ philosophy that ‘color and textures are vital and alive and magic,’ the upcycled selvedge material in (re)Material Culture is displayed in an exciting and tactile way, full of soul and vitality. This presentation creates a visual and sensual experience that stands as a testament to the harmonious convergence of art, innovation, and sustainability.
Sunbrella has long recycled selvedge loom waste as part of its global efforts to minimize environmental impact. This commitment extends to sustainable manufacturing practices, including zero waste to landfill initiatives and the enduring durability of the brand’s fabrics. (re)Material Culture aims to encourage an industry-wide focus on finding new life for textiles at every step of the manufacturing process.
“Sunbrella is committed to recycling selvedge loom waste as part of our efforts to reduce our global environmental impact and (re)Material Culture reimagines the design possibilities of the material through an artist’s eyes.” – Greg Voorhis, Senior Design Director, Sunbrella
One-of-a-kind Pieces Inspired by the Immersive Experience
The exploration of (re)Material Culture continues with the unveiling of a line of one-of-a-kind pieces by Liz Collins and Sunbrella, created from the same selvedge enveloping the gallery space.
Aiming to amplify upcycling efforts, these beautiful and artisanal pieces highlight the aesthetic possibilities of repurposed materials and inspire a broader embrace of sustainability in design.
The Sunbrella x Liz Collins (re)Material Collection makes its debut at the installation in Milan, featuring:
- (re)Material Fur Throws: The hand-knit throws are crafted with precision and adorned with dozens of yards of selvedge material, sourced exclusively from the flagship Sunbrella manufacturing facility in South Carolina. The indulgent throws provide luxurious warmth and comfort, enhancing living spaces with their plush feel while making a bold stylistic statement.
- (re)Material Fur Pillows: Textured and vibrant, the pillows seamlessly weave selvedge waste into unique colorful stripe and grid patterns. Grounded in the premium quality of Sunbrella canvas, the acccent pillows showcase a harmonious blend of textures and hues, achieving an elevated aesthetic that captivates in any setting.
- (re)Material Fur Tote Bags: Beyond ordinary, the fringe-textured totes, crafted from Sunbrella canvas with selvedge waste fringe, make a striking visual statement and convey a powerful message of support for sustainable design. The slim, dark leather strap adds a unique blend of style, quality, and artistic design—handcrafted, elevated fashion with meaning.
For additional information or questions about the Milan installation, please contact us at milan@sunbrella.com.
