The Rug Company Teams Up With Rodarte for a Stylish Collaboration, and More News This Week

Madeleine Luckel, Katherine Burns Olson, Mel Studach
·4 min read

From significant business changes to noteworthy product launches, there’s always something new happening in the world of design. In this weekly roundup, AD PRO has everything you need to know.

Product Launches

The Rug Company Teams Up With Rodarte

The Rug Company has once again partnered with Kate and Laura Mulleavy of the fashion brand Rodarte. This time around, the sisters are out with two beautiful new rugs, named California Poppy and Daphne. “We found our mother’s paper cuts of California poppies when we were young and saved it, knowing how special the artwork was.… [S]ince then, California and the poppies have become a constant theme of reference for us,” Kate and Laura Mulleavy explained in a press statement.

The Met Gives John Derian Access to Its Archives

Exploring the archives of The Metropolitan Museum of Art may be but a dream for many in the design industry. But wishes occasionally do come true—just ask John Derian. This week, the designer launched a capsule collection inspired by archival prints found in the museum’s department of drawings and prints. The 13-piece collection gives 3D form to botanical, arthropod, and playing-card illustrations that date back to the 16th century—some so fragile they’ve rarely been on display in the museum. Sold exclusively at The Met Store and online, the John Derian x The Met collection’s plates, trays, paperweights, and cake stand are now available to preorder.

Pieces from the John Derian collaboration.
Pieces from the John Derian collaboration.
Photo: Courtesy of John Derian
A pair of Schumacher x Margaux mules.
A pair of Schumacher x Margaux mules.
Photo: Courtesy of Schumacher

Schumacher Steps Into the Fashion Arena, as Ken Fulk Gets a Bright Idea

Veteran textile house Schumacher is already a pro at collaborations, as its previous efforts with the likes of Williams Sonoma undoubtably prove. Now, the company is venturing into fresh new territory thanks to a partnership with shoe company Margaux. The dual effort sees the brand pair Schumacher textiles with its flats, mules, sneakers, and sandals silhouettes. Seems like the next hottest fashion trend could just be archival fabrics, and, particularly, F. Schumacher & Co.

There must be something in the water, because sartorial sensibilities came up yet again in a new collaboration between AD100 designer Ken Fulk and Urban Electric Co. Specifically, Fulk was inspired by millinery traditions when creating the Topper Picture Light and Shako Pendant. The collection is also suffused with references to Gilded Age style.

Hires

Olson Kundig Appoints a New CEO as BIDN Gets Chief Development Officer

AD100 firm Olson Kundig has named Hemanshu Parwani, formerly the firm’s COO and CFO, to the top executive role. Parwani joined Olson Kundig in 2018, following C-suite titles at Wilson Associates and AECOM. In addition to being named CEO, Parwani will join the international architecture and design firm’s ownership group in a move that has him “incredibly humbled and excited.” Continuing in a statement from the firm, Parwani says, “This promotion offers an incredible opportunity to build on our design talent and strengths, ensuring the firm’s ongoing leadership throughout the design industry for years to come.”

Also of note, Kia Weatherspoon has been named the chief development officer at the Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN). “Kia’s determination and tenacity will fuel our team and propel us into a bright future where the network will succeed at its fullest potential with her support,” BIDN president Keia McSwain commented of the news.

See the video.

Openings

New Design Within Reach Concept Shop Opens in the Hamptons

A new-format retail shop from Design Within Reach opened earlier this week in Southampton, New York. Replete with cash-and-carry items like home accessories, art, and books, the shop marks a new chapter in the brand’s retail experience. Debbie Propst, president of Herman Miller Group Retail, tells AD PRO that the outpost signifies a new strategy—one driven by customer purchasing habits—that the brand is beginning to test in certain markets, beginning with Southampton.

“Given the seasonality of our new location,” says Propst, “this element of instant gratification is particularly compelling for the area’s residents and visitors. From my experience standing on the sales floor and engaging with customers in this market, I’ve learned Southampton visitors and residents have an appreciation for authentic design, a unique sense of style, and a penchant for a coastal modern aesthetic. As this region is primarily a second-home market, homeowners are regularly looking to bring that coastal modern feel into their homes through art, books, and other decorative essentials to infuse the effortless comfort and style that the Hamptons has to offer.”

The Iconic Home Readies for an Encore

This week, AD made an exciting announcement of its own. The Iconic Home, a virtual show house created in partnership with the Black Interior Designers Network, is set to return for a second installment. To learn more, read up on the news on Fashion Week Daily.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest