We have all been known to lose our marbles from time to time, and the demanding and fast-moving design world can take its toll on even its brightest stars. Freelance creative Emma Elizabeth has made the most of moments of clarity to research the old school technique of marble-making and its existing forms to create a collection which cascades this heritage into a reflection on contemporary life. The new collection of rugs has been developed in collaboration with Australian manufacturer and distributor Designer Rugs. Each of the mystical designs from the collection - Cats Eye, Swirl and Twirl - are made from hand tufted 100% New Zealand Wool and can be custom-coloured and scaled. Emma Elizabeth’s first collection of rugs “Round Diamond” was selected as one of Elle Decoration’s Top 10 Designs at last year’s TENT London during the London Design Festival. She wanted to continue working with a form that reflects and retracts light and incorporate this aspect within the finished textile design and the result is “Emma Elizabeth Has Lost Her Marbles.” Emma Elizabeth is the only Australian amongst a handful of independent designers selected to exhibit at this year’s Milan Design Week, within VenturaLAB. Her solo exhibition in Ventura Lambrate will showcase the three new rug designs along with a new series of spherical ottomans which further mirror the world of marbles. Straight after the Milan show the collection will roll its way back to Sydney for the Australian launch of WOOL MODERN. This travelling exhibition celebrates design within the international wool industry, promoting both interior and fashion works from names such as Martin Margiela, Paul Smith, Patricia Urquiola and others. This exhibition launched in London last year and will continue to travel globally to New York, China and Japan. Emma Elizabeth is one of three Australian product designers to be selected for this pioneering exhibition. The rolling marbles will then continue their journey to ICFF in New York where Emma Elizabeth has been invited by the ‘British European Design Group’ to show under their curated eye and guidance. This group has helped develop the careers of designers such as Deborah Bowness, Michael-George Hemus and Modus. Being selected to participate in these shows provides a very exciting opportunity for Emma Elizabeth both to promote her new collection in the international market and also promote Australian design on a global scale.
WATCH THIS SPACE- Emma Elizabeth is currently working on a theatrical and artistic video which engages with the feelings, sights and sounds involved in ‘Losing Your Marbles’. Due out March 2012.
2.5 Diameter, hand tufted 100% New-Zealand Wool.
