"We are inspired by works and artists."
10.10.2018
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
Just as playful as the name sounds, "ZigZagZurich" finds its way to form via drawing. The Swiss textile company produces home textiles that are at the interface between art and craft. I paid them a visit to find out more about the creation of their fabrics.
As we enter the ZigZagZurich creative studio not far from Zurich's Limmat river, we are greeted by a cute French bulldog: "This is the boss," says Samira Vicinanza, the press and media spokesperson, as she greets us. "Rocco gives us a smile in the office every day". Rocco also gives one to our photographer Thomas, who accompanies me, and to me that day. Samira, who guides us through the studio, represents the parent company "4Spaces" as well as ZigZagZurich and knows the universe of both textile companies inside out. She introduces us to the collections of both companies to give us an overview. Luckily, because my curiosity about what's in the studio reaches the ceiling, just like the stacked boxes full of fabric samples inside.
Two companies, one goal: uniqueness
4Spaces produces customised and limited textile collections for interior design and scenography projects in Switzerland and throughout Europe. The designs are simple, elegant and focus on the finishing touches that make the difference for private and public spaces. The finest nuances from model to model in terms of colour, structure, yarn or weaving technique play the main role here.
In comparison, ZigZagZurich's various collections are dedicated to ready-made bed linen, blankets and curtains. In contrast to the 4Spaces products, all models have fixed units of measurement. Although these are based on the usual ones, the design is in no way conventional. Just like the parent company, the subsidiary turns the familiar image of single-colour shower curtains and the like on its head. ZigZagZurich uses artistic prints to create modern textiles that are produced using traditional methods and therefore remain sustainable.
Together with artists from all over the world, the creative minds use traditional craftsmanship to develop elaborate prints with illustrations that were previously only available on paper. Sophie Probst designs the collaborations under the direction of Creative Director Michele Rondelli and the founders of ZigZagZurich, such as Adam Comiskey. All three answer my questions alongside Samira with shining eyes.
Passionate "off-streamer"
How did you get into design?
Michele: For us, design is not just decoration, but a way of life. It encompasses everything that surrounds us: In the morning, we get up at home surrounded by things we like. We drink a coffee from our favourite mug, walk across our fluffy carpet and look at personal pictures as we pass by. We want the same feel-good factor from the outside world: we want public transport, workplaces, airports, shopping centres and hospitals to be places where people ideally always feel equally at ease.
Have you done anything else before?
Michele: With the exception of Adam, our CEO, our team comes from a creative background: architecture, fashion or textile design. The experience that Adam brings from the IT industry is more technical.
How did the idea of bringing art and home textiles together come about?
Michele: We don't see it in stereotypical terms, because art and home textiles are closely linked. However, we consciously say that we don't make art. We are inspired by works of art and artists.
What do you love about your work?
Michele: We enjoy inspiring people with our products. The challenge of creating something new in collaboration with other creatives also fulfils us.
What does a day in your studio look like?
Michele: Very hectic, actually. We launch around 200 products a year for ZigZagZurich and the parent company 4Spaces. That keeps us on our toes. Design, production, Marketing, press, global sales and trade fair appearances are important cornerstones in the whole process, which have to be coordinated and adhered to.
How are the prints created, especially yours?
Sophie: When I once visited a design studio in southern Spain, I wanted to stay right there. It was surrounded by lots of beautiful palm leaves. So when I left, I decided to put the greenery on paper and then onto home textiles, which I love back in Switzerland.
Why did you decide to bring other artists on board?
Sophie: We want to promote everyone who we think has something valuable to say and expand our Community. We learn from each collaboration in terms of design. Sometimes we keep a certain amount of freedom in the realisation so that the works are shown to their best advantage. We adjust the colours according to the requirements of the fabric. Depending on this, they become richer or softer than the original drawing.
How can artists apply to you?
Sophie: Today, almost all designers submit their drawings scanned and digitally via email or social media channels such as Instagram. We rarely receive an original.
What criteria do you use to select artists?
Michele: We don't have any criteria - the door is open to everyone. What's important to us is creativity, as well as characterful and researched work. We are not interested in copies and déjà vu.
Do you also work with local designers?Samira: Absolutely. For example, there is the Zurich studio "Moiré Grafik GmbH". They designed the "Join Me" ceiling for us using their own font and a brand new poem called "A 24K" adorns the 4Spaces wallpaper.
Do you have to cancel many artists?
Michele: There have already been various cancellations. Sometimes we're just not ready to realise a work yet. It's crucial to launch the right product at the right time and in the right place. This will remain a major challenge for our team in the future.
Something different
In addition to the artistic prints, the feel also speaks in favour of ZigZagZurich's fabric world. Like a child in a sweet shop, I was constantly tempted to touch everything during my visit: The cotton blankets that are made in Scandinavia or the linen bed linen and curtains that are produced in Italy. Some pieces from the current collection are also available for you to touch in our shop.
Find out more about the ZigZagZurich brand here. For more interviews and updates on the topic living, you can follow me by clicking the black button on my profile. I look forward to your plan.
Header image: At first glance, the alphabet on the blanket, which was created in cooperation with the Zurich graphic design studio "Moiré", looks conventional. Only on second glance do I discover the hidden call to cuddle: "Join Me".
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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