Louise Sigvardt for Kvadrat

Having graduated from the renowned Designskolen Kolding in Jutland, Denmark, she collaborates with companies working in different fields, including footwear, handbags and jewellery. In 2012, she won the Designer’s Nest Award during the Copenhagen fashion week.

This is Louise Sigvardt’s professional profile in a nutshell. She has now applied her talent to two fabric collections for Kvadrat: Umami (for upholstery purposes) and Ace (for drapery).

Speaking to us at Kvadrat’s stand at the fair, she describes her particular results as “designs that are based on something recognisable, but have surprising elements with a certain degree of aggression and uniqueness. With Umami I wanted to create fabrics that would reflect the way we choose an item of clothing,” she continues. “The colours are inspired by the natural surroundings in Scandinavia and by the muted palette used by the Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi. While I was developing this project, I spent entire days immersed in his colours. One of the most unexpected and enjoyable aspects of that was studying his incredible nuances of grey. I attempted to create a fabric that seems elementary and normal, but that when you take a close look reveals a surprising structure and novel contrasts. Ten per cent of polyester is mixed with ninety per cent wool to give it a bit of shine and strength. The fabric is made in a factory in Manchester using three different techniques.”

The Ace collection uses the same type of understated characteristic. The fabric is one hundred per cent recycled polyester made from plastic bottles that are turned into thread, a process that is more energy-efficient than making the polyester from scratch, and uses fewer natural resources. The pattern of tiny squares is reminiscent of sportswear material. Used for drapes, Ace’s heavy, almost sculptural folds remind us of the classic velvet curtain. The colour range spans from demure to bold and rich. Flame resistance makes it suitable for contract environments.

April 14–19, 2015
Kvadrat
Salone del Mobile
Hall 16, Stand C40