At the intersection of fashion, design, and sustainability, a powerful collaboration has emerged—GANNI and Wallpaper* have joined forces to spotlight emerging Chinese design talent in their annual Co-Made project. This year, the innovative material Celium™, known for its versatility and environmental credentials, plays a central role in two extraordinary designs that are capturing global attention.
“Our journey with Celium™—our Premium Cultivated Cellulose—continues to inspire remarkable designs across various disciplines,” says the Polybion team, the creators of Celium™. “We are thrilled to see Celium™ being a core material in GANNI’s new partnership with Wallpaper*, an initiative aimed at supporting and elevating China’s rising design talent.”
The Co-Made project, aptly named “可美了” (kemeile), which phonetically translates to 'such beauty' in Chinese, lives up to its name by redefining the boundaries of design through the integration of cutting-edge materials like Celium™. This initiative encourages the exploration of new material categories that are not only more sustainable but also versatile, inspiring, and forward-thinking.
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s Co-Made project is how Celium™ has been embraced by two Chinese designers, each pushing the boundaries of design and aesthetics. Their creations, which will be showcased at the GANNI x Wallpaper* Co-Made exhibition in August 2024, demonstrate the material's potential far beyond the world of fashion.
Nadi, a product designer renowned for her unique blend of design and art, has created The Cartilage Lamp Series using Celium™. “I always start with sustainability when I design,” says Nadi, whose work focuses on deconstructing and reimagining the production process. By delving deep into the form and function of materials, she encourages her audience to consider the original and existing identities of the materials she works with.
The Cartilage Lamp Series is a testament to this philosophy. The lamps, with their soft, organic forms, are as flexible as they are supportive, thanks to the innovative use of Celium™. The core of each lamp, forged from spring steel, provides unparalleled elasticity and strength, while the Celium™ wrap evokes the elegance of a soft-bodied organism. “This collaboration fuses cutting-edge technology with design, creating lamps that are not just functional but also pieces of art,” explains Nadi.
Xiaoya Wang, co-founder of Shanghai One Week Design, offers another compelling example of Celium™’s versatility with her creation of The Cuddle Sofa and Bench Series. Xiaoya’s design ethos revolves around creating a meaningful future through sustainable practices. “For me, design is integral to life—it’s about exploring new ideas and staying current with trends while thinking outside the box,” she says.
In her Cuddle Sofa and Bench Series, Xiaoya blends traditional palm fibres with innovative materials like Celium™. This combination not only aligns with her commitment to sustainability but also merges tradition with a forward-thinking approach to design. “The collaboration with GANNI and Wallpaper* China allowed me to explore the interaction between fashion and design, resulting in homeware pieces that are both beautiful and sustainable,” she reflects.
The significance of these designs extends beyond their aesthetic appeal. By incorporating Celium™ into their work, Nadi and Xiaoya Wang are not just creating beautiful objects—they’re also participating in a broader conversation about the future of materials and design. “Celium™ sparks new dialogues between fashion and design, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” notes the Polybion team.
The GANNI x Wallpaper* Co-Made 2024 exhibition, where these remarkable designs will be on display, promises to be a highlight of the design calendar. Running from August 1st to August 31st at Youyi Bay, Mi Casa Su Casa Hotel, Aranya, Qinhuangdao, China, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see how Celium™ and other innovative materials are reshaping the future of design.
As Polybion continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with Celium™, collaborations like this one highlight the incredible potential of innovative materials to not only reshape our world but also to inspire the next generation of designers. “We are constantly inspired by the incredible potential of innovative materials,” says the Polybion team. “And we are excited to see how Celium™ continues to spark new dialogues and inspire remarkable designs across various disciplines.”
In the fast-evolving world of design, sustainability and innovation are more than just buzzwords—they are essential components of the creative process. The Co-Made project by GANNI and Wallpaper* is a powerful reminder of this, showing how emerging designers are using materials like Celium™ to create work that is not only beautiful but also meaningful and forward-thinking.
As the GANNI x Wallpaper* Co-Made exhibition opens its doors, the world will be watching to see how these talented designers, armed with the latest in sustainable materials, continue to push the boundaries of design. With Celium™ at the forefront, the future of design looks incredibly bright—and, indeed, 'such beauty' has never been more fittingly described.
