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KURAGE is a modern collection of hand printed fabrics for curtains, decorations and upholstery. The collection also boasts porcelain, hand-tufted rugs, acoustic panels and a wide range of sewn products such as cushions, pouffes, bedspreads, tablecloths, place mats, dish towels, aprons, etc.
The collection is displayed by exclusive home textiles dealers, in department stores and through architects and interior designers. KURAGE products are sold in Scandinavia, much of Europe and Japan and North America. The fabrics are used to decorate private homes and in hotels, hospitals, schools, office buildings, etc.
Kurage was started in 1987 by Danish design duo Ruth Fabricius and Jesper Gundersen, and was purchased by Fischer Group in 2006.
The designers' philosophy is to combine proud traditions of craftsmanship with a playful and inquisitive approach, to produce new and innovative designs.
Over the years, Fabricius and Gundersen have exhibited at Designmuseum Danmark, Danish Design Centre, Trapholt and Traneudstillingen Exhibition Space. They have also been involved in decoration and interior design projects for Amokka A/S, City of Copenhagen and TV2.
The designers draw inspiration from their own 'backyard'. Having lived and worked together for over 20 years, Fabricius and Gundersen see themselves as two musicians who gave up their solo careers to become a duo, leading to even greater challenges and inspiration. Inspiration is not something they have to seek out – it is an ever present element in their physical day-to-day work in the textile workshop. New designs flow from this as easily as from literature or other forms of art.
The seed of a new design might be a reflection on a memory or a recently read or viewed work. It might also be based on a sketch or a photograph. Once the idea begins to take shape, the designers observe the dogma that the design must remain as fresh and unspoiled as possible – the spontaneous expression must be visible in the final design.
Just as we humans are different and yet the same, every piece of fabric from Kurage is unique due to the small variations resulting from the hand printing process. This is one of the reasons for retaining hand production and working with the limitations and advantages associated with this type of production. Simplicity is part of the Kurage style, so the use of few printing frames in production is a typical characteristic. A more 'hand-held' approach to the use of colour is also possible and designs are often hand drawn or painted. The fabric's rapport often varies for each design, which would not be possible using a more industrial production process.
The flexible form of production thus has a major impact on the expression, and other advantages. It means that Kurage can offer smaller print series and special colour combinations in consultation with customer, or develop special designs for a specific project. |
