marni ballhaus brings colorful colombian cumbia culture to milan design week

marni ballhaus brings colorful colombian cumbia culture to milan design week
image © marni

italian fashion house marni has opened their showroom to the public during milan design week to showcase their new furniture collection influenced by colombian culture. last year the vast space was transformed into a fruit market mimicking the ones in bogotá, and colombia has been referenced once again with the exploration of the ancient dance of cumbia.

the traditional circular skirts worn by the dancers have been made suspended in a circular organization
image © designboom

‘marni ballhaus’ sees the traditional full circular skirts worn by cumbia dancers and the knotted scarves worn by the men reinterpreted and reproduced in iconic marni fabrics. suspended in a circular formation, the floating skirts serve as a vibrant backdrop to the live performances of voice, music and dance celebrated throughout the week.

two cumbia dancers stand in front of the installation
image © designboom

additionally, new home furnishings including lamps, loungers, chairs and bags – all fabricated using marni’s signature colored hand-woven PVC cord – have been displayed around the space. the limited edition items have been made in colombia by a group of women who have gained independence and freedom through work.

the items in limited edition have been made in colombia by a group of women
image © marni

the furnishings are made of metal, wood and hand woven PVC cord
image © designboom

image © marni

image © marni

image © designboom

image © designboom

the bright and colorful skirts are available to purchase
image © marni

cumbia dance performances will take place throughout the week
image © marni

image © marni

marni ballhaus, viale umbria 42, milan
image © designboom

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