From the Series
Casamento’s Clouds armchair is an exercise in the textural and structural properties of wool. It uses three types of wool fabric: bouclé, felt and a hemp/wool blend.
“I love the structure of fabrics made from wool,” says Casamento designer Eve Collett. “There is nothing flimsy about it – it has poise and depth all of its own and no acrylics or polyester can ever replicate it.”
Collett utilised leftover strips of fabric to cover the chair, layering them in different sections that subtly reference the tiered skirts many Xhosa women wear – though “someone also commented that the chair reminds them of a Voortrekker kappie [bonnet]!” she points out ironically.
The Clouds chair will be on display at the Cape Wools SA stand at Design Indaba Expo 2015 along with other décor products made from Merino wool, which is completely natural, breathable and fire-retardant.
“We use a lot of wool in many of our designs but we always like to do something different with it,” Collett says.
The bouclé she chose has a 1950s-inspired texture that contrasts with the rough surface of the hemp blend and the smoother felt.
“I thought the layers and flounces would accentuate the varied textures, allowing the viewer to see the beauty of the fabric at its fullest.”
