Bedouin women from Israel are getting a name for themselves at the furniture fair in Milan, where their home-spun woolen rugs are on proud display as a prized example of high-end sustainable design. The Eindhoven designers BCXSY teamed up with SIDREH, the non-profit organization behind Lakiya Negev weaving to create these one-of-a-kind products.
SIDREH helps Bedouin women who lack the means to feed their families by providing them with a valuable skill. Using the wool of their own sheep, the women weave four different rugs – of colors inspired by the surrounding Negev desert – on ground looms.
Among their repertoire are four different rugs which can then be assembled in a variety of different configurations – large or small – to order. The exhibition Origin Part II: Balance features a collection of seven high quality but sustainable woolen rugs. The exhibition was launched at the Spazio Rossana Orlandi via Matteo Bandello in Milan.
:: Dezeen
More on eco-fashion and design in the Middle East:
Ikea Increases Israeli Design Awareness, But What About Sustainable Design?
Aya Kaya Has Fun With Sustainable Design
Scentual Natural Perfumes That Won’t Turn You A Puckish Shade Of Green
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
