During Milan Design Week, from Tuesday, April 8 to Sunday, April 13, the ISSEY MIYAKE / MILAN flagship store presents a special exhibition titled “TYPE-XIII Atelier Oï project”. This project is a collaborative initiative between the Swiss-based design studio, atelier oï and A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE, exploring a new concept that combines 'a piece of wire' and 'a piece of cloth' into innovative lighting products. The exhibition showcases prototypes of this latest project in an installation format.

This project emerged from a mutual understanding between atelier oï, renowned for its work across diverse fields such as architecture and product design, and A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE, which continues to push the boundaries of clothes-making by engaging with different disciplines and industries. Prioritizing the process of making things, this project has evolved through an ongoing exchange of ideas, merging different perspectives and techniques. A-POC ABLE has long explored the relationship between 'a piece of cloth' and 'the human body’, creating uniquely designed garments. In this project, the possibilities of 'a piece of cloth' are further investigated, venturing into the new realm of lighting products. The exhibition will showcase two distinct lighting series born from the joint work with atelier oï.

O Series

The “O Series” is a portable lighting series co-developed with Ambientec, a Japanese manufacturer specializing in portable lighting. This series embraces an approach centered on human sensibility, allowing users to move the light freely through their daily lives while harmonizing with diverse spaces and environments. Its design offers a versatile and enjoyable experience for the user. This series draws inspiration from the beauty and delicacy of flowers. Just as people arrange flowers in a space to match the season or welcome guests, we envisioned a lighting piece that can be freely arranged according to one's mood and surroundings. The organic pleats gently diffuse light, illuminating the space softly while quietly enhancing daily life—like a single blooming flower.

For this series, atelier oï designed an elegant oval wire frame, while the lampshade incorporates a recycled polyester “Steam Stretch” material, the textile technology utilized in A-POC ABLE’s clothes-making process. “Steam Stretch” is an innovative technique that pre-weaves design elements into a piece of cloth, which then shrinks upon exposure to heat, creating a delicate yet robust three-dimensional pleated texture.

The interplay of organic-shaped fabric, light, and shadow within the frame produces a uniquely beautiful expression, gently enhancing the ambiance of any space. Furthermore, the oval wire frame and fabric shade are detachable, allowing the lamp to be folded flat when not in use, making it highly functional and easy to store. This adaptable design brings new value and joy to everyday living spaces.

A Series

The “A Series” is a lighting series made using seamless knit fabric, a hallmark of A-POC. In this series, the lampshades are pre-knitted into a roll of fabric and take on a three-dimensional form when wire frames are inserted. Additionally, the interconnected knitted shades can be cut at different points to create various shapes, or joined together as a double, or triple light fixture, allowing for customization to suit different spaces and offering a playful and unique design that embodies the spirit of A-POC.

As the first installment of the series, a prototype of the pendant light, developed in collaboration with the Spanish lighting brand PARACHILNA, will be exhibited. PARACHILNA is renowned for its commitment to honest design, carefully selected materials, and craftsmanship-driven approach to creating distinctive lighting.

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