Cristian Zuzunaga is the founder, artist, and creative powerhouse behind award-winning home and fashion textile brand, Zuzunaga. A Barcelona native born to a Catalan mother and Peruvian father; Cristian is curious and exploratory by nature, a trait he attributes to his multicultural upbringing. A biology student turned typo/graphic design graduate, the designer’s early fascination with microscopes inspired him to magnify and dissect patterns and images in his work – creating the brands’ iconic graphic designs that double as wearable and usable art.
This week we caught up with Cristian Zuzunaga – the founder, artist, and designer behind acclaimed textile brand Zuzunaga, to see what’s in his holiday shopping cart.
Zuzunaga officially founded his self-titled brand in 2010, on a mission to explore what it means to be human by creating textiles that are timeless, gender neutral, and sustainable. “Color is at the heart of everything we do,” says Zuzunaga. The brand’s designs transform the designers’ holistic inspirations – like nature, urban environments, architecture, and psychology – into eye-catching geometric works of art that elevates moods and spaces at the same time. Renowned Zuzunaga classics include the Pixel collection of multicolored pixelated pillow cushions and scarves, and the locale inspired Bitmap collection of throws and accessories. With sustainability at the core of the Zuzunaga ethos, every piece is constructed using organic, traceable materials, using eco-conscious techniques, and in partnership with local craftsmen whenever possible. With a creative portfolio that runs the gamut – from print and photography to sculpture and furniture design – and a list of collaborators spanning the Tate Gallery to Camper, Ligne Roset, and others, Cristian Zuzunaga’s shopping cart is one we’re especially psyched to dive into. Let’s see what the multi-hyphenate has in his holiday shopping cart:
Cube Aluminum + White LED Click Clock by Gingko
“I am fascinated by the cube and this Gingko Cube Clock has it all for me: simplicity, functionality and it marries digital and analogue tech in a very elegant way.”
$55
Disc16 Natural Pendant Light by Graypants, inc.
“I love the simplicity and coherence of this collection by Graypants. The fact that their lampshades are made by using recycled cardboard moves me, because in the present moment we live in, companies that look into ways of reusing or recycling materials have my respect!”
$465
Orange Cross Floating Framed Textile Artwork 1X004 by Amelia Ayerst
“I am obsessed with patterns and grids, especially if they’re inspired by architecture. I like the color combination, the simplicity, and elegance of this framed textile design by Amelia Ayerst.”
$842
Black Anthracite Beosound A1 2nd Generation Speaker by Bang & Olufsen
“Nowadays you cannot live without a good portable speaker and this Black Anthracite Beosound Speaker caught my attention because it’s compact and the design blends really well with today’s needs. I love B&O – the sound, their choice and combination of materials and design.”
$250
Bitmap Digital Sunrise Red Blanket by Zuzunaga
“This blanket (and Digital Sunset) is the most sophisticated that we have. It is made primarily from superfine Italian merino wool, there is also a silk component, thus combining the consistency and opacity of wool with the brightness and lightness of silk.
This makes for a long, delicate, and truly challenging production process that requires more machine time than usual and involves working at the two very different tensions of wool and silk. Even a minor weaving error can result in a broken thread, ruining the entire throw (which we of course recycle to make new products).”
$535
>>> For more from Zuzunaga visit the Design Milk Shop here! <<<
