Marta BAKOWSKI
Born in Paris in 1986, Marta Bakowski studied design at Central Saint Martins College, before graduating from the Royal College of Arts. Two years with Hella Jongerius completed her EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, prompting the young designer to set up her own studio in 2013 in Paris.
Her collaborations include La Chance, Ligne Roset, and Roche Bobois. For La Chance, she designed an ottoman, Hopi, presented this year at Private Choice.
In Native American culture, a Kachina is the spirit of a deity, representing a natural element, an animal, or an ancestor. Kashina dolls originate from the HOPI tribe, the first native people to create them. Given to Hopi children during ceremonies, Kachina dolls were initially designed to educate them and help them learn about the spirits. These beautifully crafted dolls, sculpted from wood and adorned with highly graphic polychrome patterns, inspired the silhouette and textile design of the seat.
Another aspect of the ottoman concerns the choice of textile technique. Designed in 3D technical knit, initially intended for making sneakers, the fabric is produced from a digital file, in one go and without seams, with decorative elements in volume with a quilted effect. In the design, each small chevron was considered as a pixel, thus making it possible to create combinations of vibrant patterns echoing the Hopi aesthetic, often rectilinear, with a treatment reminiscent of arcade games. The embroidered details that punctuate the seat, as well as its marble base punctuated with engravings, give it a precious appearance.