Acclaimed Egyptian-English designer Karim Rashid's latest collection of furniture and home decor, titled Ottawa, is now available in the city. It promises to be a robust amalgamation of chic design and easy functionality
“For this collection, I was inspired from my student days in Ottawa, Canada. So the tree-like branches of the table, sideboard, and chairs, as well as the colours are all akin to that region. Also, the designs that make up the cup collection are a snapshot of my 30-year career. They encompass all aspects of my career including an abstract sketch I did during my years at University, the icons that I’m now known for and are tattooed on my body, the graphics that speak to the current digital age, a sketched homage to my home in New York City and my literal fingerprint,” says the Cairo born Karim Rashid.
Vases in neon colours (Rs 6,700 each)
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Rashid, who resides in New York, and has worked in more than 40 countries, feels that the collection has a global appeal and will be liked by people from different cultures and with diverse tastes.
Space matters
“I think the Ottawa Collection is universally designed. I have always considered myself global, my work as global, and I have always believed in universal design, where the same object should be perfect for a 10-year-old and an 80-year-old, regardless of culture, creed or place,” he says, maintaining that the collection is meant for urban homes with less space.
Espresso cups with saucer (Rs 750 each)
“The collection is scaled to fit in urban environments and apartments which typically have less space than suburban homes. But all the pieces would fit comfortably in a large environment,” he adds. Throwing more light on the aspects that he kept in mind while creating the collection, Rashid claims that he made sure that above everything else, his collection is comfortable.
“These are not just objects that we live with but objects that shape our lives and the way we function. The best part of the collection is that it’s comfortable! The detailing of the collection is soft so you feel relaxed and invited into a home,” he reveals.
Designs on India
When quizzed, Karim, who has won over 300 awards including Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award, ID Magazine Annual Design Review and IDSA Industrial Design Excellence award, on what will make his designs click in India, the designer says, “The design movement is booming due to the growth and new democracy of India. The world needs to be designed, and Asian culture is playing a key role in this evolution of a contemporary world.”
At: BoConcept, Palladium, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel.
Call: 40802394
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