Kvadrat's Milan showroom undergoes a transformation courtesy of Kapwani Kiwanga, featuring a textile constellation crafted from ocean debris
In a groundbreaking collaboration, renowned artist Kapwani Kiwanga has created 'Diade', a prismatic upholstery textile made entirely from ocean-bound plastic waste. This eco-friendly material was showcased at Kvadrat's events during Salone del Mobile 2025 and Kvadrat's showroom installations.
The textile, which reflects Kapwani Kiwanga's artistic vision, features a deconstructed twill weave with 16 vivid and neutral color combinations, inspired by the iridescence found in bird feathers. The yarns used in 'Diade' are sourced from plastic waste collected within ten kilometers of coastlines in Thailand.
'Diade' was launched during Milan Design Week 2025, where it was showcased in a bold and joyful installation at Kvadrat's showroom. Large zig-zagging panels wrapped in 'Diade' ran along the facade, playing with light, reflection, and transparency. Inside the showroom, 'Diade' was used to create sculptural furnishings, including low tables with fabric-wrapped legs and glass tops that encased spiraling thread compositions.
Kapwani Kiwanga, who is also the artist behind the Canada Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale, expressed her satisfaction with 'Diade' being so refined yet made from waste. She hopes that products like 'Diade' will become a normal way of being, suggesting a shift in how we inhabit the world.
The textile design 'Diade' is perceived as luxurious but carries a message of resourcefulness and renewal. Its creation not only reduces plastic waste but also provides a durable and eco-friendly material for upholstery. This approach highlights Kvadrat's commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact through innovative textile production.
The installation transformed the space into a layered landscape of color and form, showcasing the material's sculptural and optical potential. Kapwani Kiwanga's reflection on 'Diade' indicates a desire for it to become a common practice in the production of materials, emphasizing the textile's potential to make a significant impact on the environment.
'Diade', the prismatic upholstery textile made from ocean-bound plastic waste, draws inspiration from environmental science, as it showcases the iridescence found in nature, such as bird feathers. With its creation, technology took center stage in transforming waste into a luxurious, eco-friendly material, setting a precedent for sustainable practice in the realm of environmental-science.
