2 NU RAVE IS BACK
The dance floor is influencing everything from homeware to hotels
A trippy, colour-popping nod to retro rave culture is infusing design right now. It’s vibing away on floor coverings and making shapes in newly opened hotel interiors. And it’s proof that we’re ready to let the good times roll.
Of course, as the person who kicked off Nu Rave in 2007 with his fluoro T-shirts, designer Henry Holland is at the helm. Yet this time around, he’s taking a much more grown-up approach. ‘I’m seeing graphic elements like stripes and monochromatic tones that create a sort of melting feeling,’ he says. ‘The one most of us have probably had in a nightclub at some time in our lives.’ He has just released an eight-piece rug collaboration with Floor_story, launched at London Design Festival, inspired by the smiley faces seen on rave flyers in the 80s and 90s. Elsewhere, those smiley faces are back on crockery and hedonism reigns. As with its first go, when neon was king, this look isn’t for the faint-hearted but is for anyone who has missed the feeling of a glow stick in the their hands.
SMILE PLEASE
Stockholm’s Acne Studios Fall/winter 21 collection is a colourful and playful unisex range of pieces touching on elements of vintage sportswear, 00s streetwear and worn-out workwear. The launch includes a collaboration with ceramicist Betina Jørgensen featuring undulating tea cups and saucers with bright yellow face patches and wavy patterns. Bettunika cup and plate set, £160 (acnestudios.com)
LOOK UP
Global boutique hotel brand Mama Shelter has infused the spa area in its newest Italian outpost,
Mama Roma, with playful and energetic designs.
The indoor swimming pool and sauna are decorated with basement disco-worthy white mosaic floors and swirling yellow and pink ceilings. Rooms from €159. Mama Roma, Italy, mamashelter.com/roma
FLOOR SHOW
‘I love that with this collection I was able to explore a slightly more evolved colour palette, says fashion designer Henry Holland of his rug collaboration with Floor_ Story. Design speak for ‘the party starts here’. Rug, from £1,200, Henry Holland (floorstory.co.uk)