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Fibre Designs: OUTDOOR FURNITURE & RUGS THAT LOOK GOOD & DO GOOD
EUROPEAN DESIGN MEETS VIBRANT AFRICAN COLOURS… THE RESULT IS STYLISH & PRACTICAL
When Pierre Antoine & Leanne Fairweather, the designers behind Fibre Designs, saw a gap in the market for hardy outdoor furniture & rugs, they knew just how to fill it…with a collection of all-weather crocheted rugs, pillows, poufs, ottomans, sun loungers and banquettes. The Verandah Collection blends European design with vibrant African colors and the result is stylish, practical and versatile.
PROUDLY SUPPORTING LOCAL WOMEN IN LIMPOPO
The Cape Town-based duo decided from the outset that the collection must be proudly local and have a meaningful social impact. After clothing manufacturing experienced a downturn in Limpopo, Fibre Designs launched an empowerment training project in the region, utilizing the talents of local craftswomen, previously employed in the declining industry, to weave and crochet their creations.
Turning a traditional fine craft practiced for generations into a sturdy all-weather indoor-outdoor product was no easy undertaking and the women went through a steep learning curve to adapt to this new product range.
CROCHETED BY HAND, USING INNOVATIVE WEATHERTECH MATERIAL
Each item in the Verandah Collection is crocheted completely by hand with huge crochet needles. Every piece is worked on by only one highly trained weaver to ensure continuity of tension and workmanship. The women have an intrinsic feel for how to create beautiful, high quality products.
WeatherTech yarn is used in this collection and just under 1km of yarn is used per finished square meter. The yarn is especially engineered for outdoor use and was developed by Fibre Designs in Cape Town. UV-, weather- and mold-resistant, the yarn could not be better for durability and outdoor use.
COMBINING DESIGN WITH TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW
Born in The Democratic Republic of the Congo, but now based in Cape Town, Pierre Antoine is the creative inspiration behind Fibre Designs and a great believer in craftsmanship and quality. He is a true expert in his field and his flair for design, coupled with technical understanding of hand-woven textiles, means he has been sought out by ABC New York, the world’s largest retailer of rugs, as well as by the likes of Sotheby’s and Christie’s.
TAKING BESPOKE FLOORWARE TO A NEW LEVEL
Each Verandah Collection item can be made bespoke in a variety of colors, stitches and weaves.
The company also takes bespoke floorware one step further. In addition to their designed collection, Pierre and Leanne offer a completely customized consultation and design service. For example, any color can be matched, be it a fabric, paint swatch, artwork or even a lipstick! Complicated shapes can be created or a rug can be made for wall-to-wall fitting.
Why we love Fibre Designs
We chose Fibre Design’s Verandah Collection because we love it when traditional craft and design blend with contemporary ideas. We are particularly proud that the Verandah Collection is a collaboration between fresh South African designers and local traditional crafters, all working together to the highest standards.
Most importantly, the product doesn’t just look good, it’s super practical – an outdoor rug or lounger you don’t have to bring in every time the weather takes a turn for the worse is a game-changer! When a product looks good, is practical and gives back to the local community through skills and employment, everyone’s a winner.
All imagery courtesy of Fibre Designs, @fibre_designs