Beautiful shower curtains at last: Kollektiv Vier mixes up our bathroom
27.9.2018
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
The up-and-coming designers from "kollektiv vier" finally offer you alternatives to mainstream polyester bathroom textiles. Their fabrics are not only made from natural fibres, but are also tangible art.
Some things are rarely scrutinised because they are so commonplace that we hardly notice them. The look of shower curtains and towelling towels is one of them for me. I paid a visit to Swiss designers Mirjam Huwiler, Eva Zuberbühler and Johanna Widmer from "kollektiv vier" and asked them, among other things, why monotonous designs last so long on the market.
The trio from "kollektiv vier"
Did you do anything else before setting up your label?
Johanna: Right after graduating, we boldly founded "kollektiv vier". Parallel to setting up our label, we gained various work experiences in the textile industry during the first four years. We took the plunge into self-employment early on and have never regretted it.
Who takes on which part of the process for you?
Johanna: We make design and strategic decisions together. With a new product, we start by making a mood board. We design analogue source material that can be reused and developed further. At no stage of the process do we shy away from passing the design on to each other. On the contrary, we really value the input and outside perspective of others.
What inspires you for your collages?
Mirjam: Nature, travelling, art exhibitions and the work of other designers.
Eva: Writing and we as a collective inspire each other with our different perspectives.
Johanna: I go through everyday life awake and yet I am a dreamer...
What do you love about your work?
Mirjam: The variety, being the captain, keeping an overview and being able to work independently. We have also learnt to appreciate designing, developing concepts and learning by doing - even the entrepreneurial part that comes with being self-employed.
What does a day in your studio look like?
Eva: Very different and varied. Mirjam's day starts on the train, for example, with checking emails because she commutes. Tuesday is our team day, when we make and discuss upcoming decisions together. We leave processes that we can't finalise in the evening, such as collaging, and start them again the next day.
Home textiles reinterpreted
Why did you decide to design home textiles?
Eva: As textile designers, we are always looking for products that offer us a space to design. The interior sector is more consistent for us than fashion. Even if the shower curtain seems to be a dying object that is usually replaced with glass walls in new buildings, we believe in the product - as long as its design is convincing.
And what's your favourite piece in your home at the moment?
Mirjam: Two rugs that I brought back from a trip to Morocco.
Eva: A perforated aluminium lamp.
Johanna: Moon-shaped bowls in blue, pink and bright red.
What's next on your agenda?
Eva: We will be launching our bathroom rugs this year. Then we will design a whole collection for the bathroom. Similar to our prints, we want to create an entire world for immersion that supports the bathroom as a place of retreat and gives the room a holistic atmosphere.
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Header image: This trio dusts off conventional terry cloth and shower curtain designs. Pictured from left to right: Mirjam, Eva and Johanna.
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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