Illulian, the Milan-based maison renowned for its excellence in luxury rugs, presents Mineralia and Botanica, two new creations by Controvento that expand the brand's creative horizon into the world of collectible design. Within this framework, the rug emerges as a unique, expressive and highly authored piece, no longer conceived solely as a decorative element, but as a true collector's object.
© Controverto
Founded in Amsterdam in 2022 by Gabriele Chiave and Verdiana Vannini, Controvento is a creative platform driven by diversity and interdisciplinary dialogue. The collective brings together international talents from a wide range of backgrounds, operating across product and interior design, artistic installations and creative direction.
For the project, Controvento brought together a dedicated task force led by Creative Director Gabriele Chiave and Francesca Mueller, a specialised surface pattern designer.
Within this context, the rugs take shape through an approach that is both experimental and intuitive, balancing observation with creative interpretation. The choice of irregular forms reinforces this vision, defining a language free from rigid boundaries, one that evokes living presences in constant evolution.
Each piece is entirely hand-knotted on a vertical loom by master Nepalese artisans, following a meticulous process that defines its structure knot by knot. The Gold 100 quality (152,000 knots/sqm), the use of the finest Himalayan wool and natural silk, and the application of vegetable dyes reflect a savoir-faire rooted in the most ancient weaving traditions—an enduring heritage that Illulian reinterprets with a contemporary sensibility.
© Controverto | IllulianBotanica (left) and Mineralia (right).
Mineralia: Depth and revelation
Mineralia draws its inspiration from the hidden layers of the Earth, translating subterranean landscapes and geological formations into a complex and structured composition.
Material articulation lies at the heart of the project: interwoven variations in pile height and techniques, from low flatweave areas to raised wool textures and higher Berber-effect volumes, construct a precise topography that recalls cavities, sedimentations and natural crystallisations. Silk inserts with chromatic gradients enhance the sense of movement and continuous transformation.
Bonatica: Energy and transformation
Botanica reveals the vitality of the Earth's surface, celebrating flora and fauna through a dynamic visual language.
The varying pile heights evoke organic growth: ranging from areas with subtle raised details to sections that stand out with sculptural volumes, animated by three-dimensional inserts that lend the design an almost living presence. Fringes introduce rhythm, contributing to an object that transcends the traditional concept of the rug and approaches that of a true textile installation.
More information:
Illulian
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www.illulian.com
