IKEA's upcoming Överallt collection launched this week at the Design Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
IKEA teamed up with Design Indaba two years ago to choose the designers for the project. Head of Design Indaba, Ravi Naidoo, explained that they didn't want to just choose furniture designers, but rather those who are "taking risks and expressing themselves, and who represented the best of the African creative bug."
The Swedish furniture giant describes the Överallt homewares collection as "African rituals meet Scandi." It is designed by people from 5 different African countries: Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa. The 10 designers are Bethan Rayner and Naeem Biviji, Bibi Seck, Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem, Issa Diabaté, Laduma Ngxokolo, Renee Rossouw, Selly Raby Kane, and Sindiso Khumalo.
The collection consists of a wide variety of pieces, thanks to the diverse creatives behind it. Selly Raby Kane created a basket that features braided "hair" in the hope that it sparks worldwide curiosity about "the ritual of braiding in West Africa."
Issa Diabaté produced a simple plywood chair that assembles like a jigsaw, without the need for any extras like glue or screws. Its simple practicality "reflects the African approach to living outdoors and indoors."
Laduma Ngxokolo's bright geometric-patterned rugs mimic the designs seen on his knitwear, which are inspired by his home in South Africa.
Bethan Rayner and Naeem Biviji of Studio Propolis designed a range of flexible cooking and dining products, including a stool and bench that can easily be grouped together or used alone, and a cast iron pot with a lid that doubles as a pan.
Other items in the collection include a woven rocking chair and textiles that utilize recycled chip packets.
The Överallt collection will be available in IKEA stores worldwide in May.
