IKEA’S Modern Rituals In Collaboration With African Designers

In a preview of its forthcoming collaboration with African designers IKEA introduces ÖVERALLT a limited edition collection of tableware, textiles, and seating inspired by the modern rituals across all cultures that punctuate everyday life, what we do and use to make us feel at home. The collection was developed by ten designers from seven African countries partnered with IKEA’s team of designers.

Recognised names drawn from a range of disciplines including furniture design, fashion, sculpture, and architecture, the designers are as follows:
Issa Diabaté (Ivory Coast)
Laduma Ngxokolo (South Africa)
Bethan Rayner and Naeem Biviji (Kenya)
Sindiso Khumalo (South Africa)
Renee Rossouw (South Africa)
Bibi Seck (Senegal)
Selly Raby Kane (Senegal)
Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem (Egypt)

Described as ‘fun’, ‘inclusive’, and expressive Highlights include a rug designed by award-winning South African textile designer Laduma Ngxokolo noted for its highly artistic aesthetic, and a braided basket by the avant-garde senegalese fashion designer and artist, Selly Raby Kane, who drew on the culture of African braiding inspired not only by the techniques and creative styles, but also the connection and camaraderie of getting your hair done in a salon or at home by a loved one.

Braiding techniques are fascinating, and the braiding itself stands for creativity, power, art, sometimes even a coded language. – Selly Raby Kane

The ÖVERALLT collection will be available in IKEA stores in May 2019. But this has raised questions over the fact that aside from franchises operating in Morocco and Egypt, IKEA does not have stores on the African continent. Concerns raised by some of the participating designers, and in response IKEA is exploring options such as selling through local third-party vendors or creating an open-source platform where makers or customers can create the items themselves. The collection, however, will be showcased during the Design Indaba Festival in Cape Town, from 27th February to 1st March 2019, where many of the ÖVERALLT designers will be present and a makers-lab will be set up where they will show how some of the products can be customized.

Additional details:
For further information visit: http://ikea.today/the-modern-rituals-of-overallt/

[Image credits: The images shown belong to IKEA. If downloaded and used elsewhere please credit accordingly.]