Designer Session: 18.01

Designer Session: 18.01

Formerly design directors within the luxury sector, Cristina Rivadulla-Rey and Dean Thomas know a thing or two about the aesthetics of materials.

Carve Stone by Angus Williams

Carve Stone by Angus Williams

The founders of creative consultancy 18.01 LONDON travel the world seeking out beautiful menswear, womenswear, knitwear and accessories for their curated vintage research archive, which has become the go-to resource for design teams, stylists, art directors and editors in need of inspiration. In addition, the duo offers a full creative consultancy service, providing brands with bespoke services from fashion design to trend services and research development.

For their first collaboration with FLOOR_STORY, Cristina and Dean have created a stunning hand-knotted wool and Chinese silk rug inspired by the textures of textiles found within 18.01 LONDON’s garment collection. The Carve wool, linen and bamboo silk rug, available in Citrine and Stone, offers an innovative take on pattern, with large-scale stripes and oversized knitted stitches juxtaposed with more intricate prints to produce a striking contrast that makes us think about texture in a whole new way.

How would you describe your style and what has influenced your design?

18.01 LONDON's style is influenced by technique, craft, function and beauty. The Archive works across the fashion industry, providing inspiration, working with multiple brands and aesthetics, always seen from an 18.01 LONDON point of view. Our taste is a juxtaposition of hard and soft, romantic and modern. Detail and craft are extremely important, as well as tactility.

Can you tell us a little more about your designs for FLOOR_STORY and exactly what inspired them?

The rug was inspired by knitwear pieces from the 18.01 LONDON archive. Various traditional knitting stitches including English Fisherman’s Rib, Aran and Irish Cable, and graphic intarsia [a multicolour knitting technique], have been reimagined using various cutting techniques and mixtures of materials.

Technique, Craft, Function and Beauty

Technique, Craft, Function and Beauty

What attracted you to working with FLOOR_STORY and more importantly, the process of rug making?

FLOOR_STORY has a very clear identity, and the idea that aesthetic through an 18.01 LONDON filter really excited us. It’s been incredible to create something truly unique and original that complements what FLOOR_STORY are trying to do. From our initial conversations about the rug it was clear that with the talented rug makers FLOOR_STORY works with, who possess incredible skills, anything would be possible. It’s been a great experience to see the incredible level of artisanship that’s gone into each rug.

Can you describe your new rugs?

The final rugs are solid tonal colours, meaning the emphasis is solely on the craftsmanship and textural interest, much like the sweaters that inspired them.

18.01 Rugs