A new way to design and create
Designed to build bridges not walls, a unique collaboration saw designers from five African countries and IKEA take a fresh perspective on creating. The result is ÖVERALLT, a new collection of furniture, tableware and textiles that encourage us to reach out and connect with each other.
New beginnings
In 2017 IKEA joined forces with Design Indaba in Cape Town to learn more about contemporary African design. The collaboration has led to ÖVERALLT, a collection created by African designers in fashion, sculpture, architecture and furniture, paired with IKEA designers. “We believe design can solve stubborn problems,” say Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem of Reform Studio.
Make it yours
The ÖVERALLT collection includes furniture, tableware, textiles, and a plywood easy chair by designer and architect Issa Diabaté, who collaborated with IKEA designer Kevin Gouriou. Issa set out to create a simple piece of design, a blank canvas that would invite personalization and connection. “Depending on where the designs are assembled, they can take on different personalities,” he says.
Personal stories
Sindiso Khumalo and Renee Rossouw worked with IKEA designer Johanna Jelinek to create bold textiles for the collection. “I wanted to design a proud South African textile,” says artist and architect Renee, based in Cape Town. “So I proposed an artwork with my favourite animal, the African elephant. It’s such a beautiful and intelligent animal that really knows how to care for its young ones.”
Throughout the design process, it’s been interesting to see how many more similarities we have than differences, even when our approaches are opposites.”
Sindiso Khumalo, textile designer
Creative combinations
The limited edition ÖVERALLT collection also includes an indoor/outdoor rocking chair and footstool by Senegalese product designer Bibi Seck, who was paired with IKEA designer Mikael Axelsson. Bibi had the idea while sitting in his mother’s garden in Dakar. “This is how design makes the world smaller and brings people from different cultures together,” says Bibi.
Reform is an umbrella of the many ‘re’s: a recreation of an existing idea, a redevelopment of objects, a reusing of materials, a reviving of cultures and reforming of our world.”
Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem of Reform Studio
New possibilities
Designed by Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem, the ÖVERALLT tote is a bag on a sustainable mission. Its shimmery woven strips of thread-like material are made out of waste material from potato chip packaging production. Raised on the concept of reusing and repurposing, Hend and Mariam now focus on testing and exploring different ways to turn waste into new eco-materials.
We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.
ÖVERALLT is available in May!
