An iconic firm in the world of textile design for its commitment to quality and creativity.
During the last edition of the Salone del Mobile in Milan, we presented our new collaboration with Maharam.
Founded in New York in 1902, in the 1940s the firm evolved from being a provider of textiles for theatrical sets to becoming an innovative weaving mill with high performance fabrics ideal for both residential and public projects.
Their relevance to the industry’s development is acknowledged by the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and the Stedelijk Museum, all of which hold fabrics from the brand in their permanent collections.
Collaboration with renowned designers, architects, and artists resulted in unique and avant-garde collections. Modern designs from giants like Alexander Girard, Charles and Ray Eames, and Gio Ponti all continue to grace their sample books today.
Today’s most prominent designers continue to collaborate with Maharam, including Konstantin Grcic, Hella Jongerius, and Paul Smith.
Maharam Design Studio is responsible for the research, engineering, design, and development of textiles for commercial and residential interiors, balancing an appreciation of history with innovative interdisciplinary exploration.
As part of their corporate and design philosophy, Maharam is committed to using processes and developing products that reduce environmental impact without compromising the aesthetics and high performance of their products.
Backed by twenty years of ISO-14001 certification, these efforts include reducing carbon emissions, plastics, making durable fabrics with abrasion tests of over 100,000 rubs and eliminating harmful and unnecessary chemicals typically applied in textile manufacturing.
Out of this vast collection, we have carefully selected Oxbow and Merit, aas part of our general graded-in scheme, as well as Checker by Alexander Girard, 1965, for use only on the Elle Mini armchair. You can download the graded-in list here.
Alexander Girard: Master of colour and geometric forms.
Within Maharam’s 20th Century collection, we highlight the work of designer and artist Alexander Girard. Known for his vibrant and playful style, Girard transformed the landscape of 20th century textile design with his bold use of colour and geometric patterns.
From his designs we have selected Checker for its unparalleled ability to add dynamism, elegance, and fun to dress one of the most laid-back pieces in our catalogue, the Elle Mini lounge chair. Designed by Rafa García, it combines soft and simple lines with a contemporary and sophisticated style. The Checker pattern, with its vibrant squares and Girard’s masterful mix of colours, gives this piece a unique and distinctive touch.
The checkered pattern of the fabric, along with the masterful and daring mix of colours, is a clear reflection of the Folk aesthetic of this versatile architect. It is undoubtedly an original way to add a unique and distinctive touch to the characteristic armchairs.
During the Salone del Mobile in Milan, in Sancal’s UnRoom stand, in addition to this iconic textile, we presented Merit made from post-consumer recycled polyester and Oxbow, a textile from Maharam’s wool series. You can use them safe in the knowledge that they both meet the strictest norms for chemical emissions.
