(re)Material Culture
An installation by Sunbrella® at Milan Design Week 2024, in collaboration with Liz Collins and Gloster
“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
Sunbrella®, a leading innovator in performance fabrics and products, proudly announces (re)Material Culture, an avantgarde collaboration with acclaimed contemporary textile artist Liz Collins. Debuting at Milan Design Week, (re)Material Culture is a holistically immersive experience at Galleria Rossana Orlandi (Via Matteo Bandello 14 – Milano) 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 cavescape: a space that cocoons you in handappliqued, furlike square tiles made from upcycled Sunbrella® selvedge, exuding an energy of wildness and renewal.
This material is a byproduct 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.
Every element of the space is enveloped with Sunbrella® selvedge fabric, including the walls, an upholstered Grid sofa by Gloster, throw 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.
“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®
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-appliquéd 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 a global effort to minimize environmental impact, which also includes sustainable manufacturing such as zero waste to landfill practices and the inherent longevity 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.
A Bespoke Collection Inspired by the immersive Experience.
The exploration of (re)Material Culture continues with the unveiling of a line of limited-edition 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 bespoke 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. Rooted in the premium quality of Sunbrella® canvas, the throw 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 The slim, dark leather strap adds a unique blend of style, quality, and artistic design—handcrafted, elevated fashion with meaning.
Utilizing selvedge in meaningful and inspiring new ways, like we have done through the (re)Material Culture experience, brings new elements of creativity and surprise to more people and opens the door for a more sustainably designed future.” – Greg Voorhis, Senior Design Director, Sunbrella®
Championing Sustainable Practices
For over 60 years, Sunbrella® has integrated performance and design to create refined tex- tiles for indoor and outdoor use.
Produced in Northern France, the collections are born and renewed in captivating colours, enhanced by bold, graphic patterns.
High Performance Sunbrella® Acrylic
Sunbrella® Acrylic is crafted from our proprietary formulation of solution-dyed acrylic, a fibre co- loured throughout.
Unlike traditional fabric dyes, the brand’s industrial approach is more environmentally friend- ly and ensures exceptional per- formance benefits. The unique method requires significantly less energy and water —up to 5 times less than conventional dyeing processes. Additionally, fabrics, intricately dyed at the core of the fibre, offer exceptional resilience against the passage of time, UV rays, and fading, even after ex- tended exposure to sun, salt, and chlorine.
A Responsible Company
For over 10 years, Sunbrella® has been mindful of its ecologi- cal impact and has implement- ed concrete actions through the “Greenovation” program, con- sidering the entire life cycle of its products. This includes waste recycling, water management, the use of green electricity and collaboration with local partners.
The new “Endless Stories” col- lection prioritises sustainability, incorporating up to 50% recycled fibres from fabric scraps of the production processes. The blend of new and recycled material en- sures consistency of colour and maintains the brand’s high levels of performance.
Certifications
The majority of Sunbrella® pro- ducts are certified OEKO-TEX® and GREENGUARD GOLD,
guaranteeing their respect for the environment and health.
dickson-constant.com/sunbrella @sunbrellaeurope
About Liz Collins
Liz Collins is a New York-based artist celebrated for her dynamic textile installations, which often blur the boundaries between art, craft, and design. With a background in fashion and fine arts, Collins seamlesslymerges traditional textile techniques with innovative approaches to create visually stunning
and immersive environments.
Her work explores the interplay of color, pattern, texture, and scale, inviting viewers to engage with space in new and unexpected ways. Through her bold and exuberant creations, Collins challenges conventional notions of art and craft while celebrating the rich history and potential of textile-based
art forms. Her diverse body of work encompasses everything from large-scale installations and sculptures to wearable art and furniture, reflecting her multidisciplinary approach and boundless creativity. This approach has made for a natural partnership with Sunbrella®, as Collins and the brand share a textile-first approach to design that focuses on innovating and natural experimentation.
In addition to her installation at Milan Design Week, Collins’ work is being included in the Venice Biennale, one of the world’s leading contemporary art exhibitions that cements her status as a leading figure in textile art. Collins’ art has been featured internationally and held in numerous public and private collections. Her upcoming projects and exhibitions include a mid-career retrospective at the RISD Museum and serving as the first artist-in-residence at Jack
Lenor Larsen’s LongHouse Reserve, where she will work on site, engage with visitors and consult on programming for the integrated
environment.
Collins is represented by Candice Madey gallery.
lizcollins.com
Read the interview HERE
About Gloster
Gloster, shaping outdoor experiences since 1960, champions quality time and space. Originating in West Africa and now rooted in Indonesia, our passion for fine
craftsmanship endures. Skillfully crafted by dedicated hands, each piece reflects transparency, honesty, and a fusion of tradition and progress. With over 700 years of teak expertise, Gloster collaborates with world-renowned designers to create timeless outdoor furniture.
