The Ganni A/S x Co-Made Exhibition 2024, features groundbreaking designs using Vegea and Celium reimagined by emerging Chinese designers.
The Ganni A/S x Co-Made Exhibition 2024, in collaboration with Wallpaper China, is set to showcase groundbreaking design innovations using Celium, a premium cultivated cellulose. The exhibition, which is part of Ganni’s “Fabrics of the Future” initiative, aims to highlight China’s emerging design talents through Wallpaper China’s annual Co-Made project. The exhibition will be held from August 13 to August 31 at Youyi Bay, Mi Casa Su Casa Hotel, Aranya, Qinhuangdao.
The Co-Made project, phonetically called “kemeile” (可美了) meaning ‘such beauty’ in Chinese, serves to reimagine inspiration, with each creation embodying the essence of the textile used. The project continues to push the boundaries of design by supporting and elevating China’s rising design talent.
Three notable designers from Restudio are participating this year. Designer Zhong Zixin created a woven dining table cover for wine serving using Vegea leather made from upcycled wine grape waste. The Italy-based Vegea focuses on creating sustainable materials from renewable resources, specifically utilizing grape marc, a byproduct of wine production. Vegea’s wine leather is designed to have a minimal environmental footprint, emphasizing the use of natural, non-toxic ingredients and sustainable practices. Companies including H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, and luxury automaker Bentley have all used Vegea.
Two other designers in the exhibit will showcase the versatility of Polybion’s Celium beyond the realm of fashion. Nadi, a visionary product designer, will present The Cartilage Lamp Series, a creation that combines art and design with a focus on sustainability and innovative materials. Xiaoya Wang, co-founder of Shanghai One Week Design, will showcase The Cuddle Sofa and Bench Series, which merges traditional palm fibers with advanced materials like Celium. This series reflects her dedication to sustainability and contemporary design. Xiaoya Wang’s exploration of contemporary upholstered furniture highlights the potential of Celium in redefining traditional materials.
“We are thrilled to see Celium being a core material in Ganni’s new partnership with Wallpaper,” Polybion said in a statement on its website.
Polybion’s Celium is a premium cultivated cellulose developed through innovative biofabrication techniques. This material is derived from agricultural waste and is engineered to be both sustainable and versatile, offering a wide range of applications across various industries. Celium is known for its high performance, including excellent strength, flexibility, and biodegradability, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials. The production process of Celium is designed to minimize environmental impact, aligning with the principles of a circular economy by converting organic waste into valuable products.
Polybion has previously collaborated with Ganni to integrate Celium into its collections. Ganni debuted a jacket made from Celium last summer, and in handbags earlier this year. “With its inherent biological composition, Celium possesses a character of its own,” Polybion co-founders Axel and Alexis Gómez Ortigoza told Ethos earlier this year. “It refuses to be confined by the limitation of existing materials. Instead, it emerges as a new material category with self-defining aesthetics. Each piece is shaped by the forces of biology and has a unique essence that reflects the artistry found in nature.”
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