While the Kanye West x Ikea collection never materialized, the first of two long-awaited collections with Off-White designer Virgil Abloh is nearly here.

Abloh has contributed a rug to the 2019 Ikea Art Event, which also features limited-edition rugs from seven other international designers: Noah Lyons and Chiaozza from the U.S.; Seulgi Lee from Korea; Misaki Kawai from Japan; Supakitch from France; Filip Pagowski from Poland; and Craig Green from the U.K.

The Ikea Art Event collection will only be available in three IKEA stores across Canada: Coquitlam, B.C.; Etobicoke, Ontario; and Montreal, Quebec. The collection will launch on Saturday, May 4. (The full collection with Abloh, called MARKERAD, will launch in fall 2019.) Due to high demand for the collection, there will be a wrist band system in place. For full details on how that will work, go here

Get your first look at the complete collection of rugs and hear from the designers about the inspiration for their respective work, below. 

 

VIRGIL ABLOH

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“I wanted an ironic take on the traditional attitude to furnishing where the living room is just a showroom, not somewhere you sit. The parental ‘don’t ruin the furniture’ kind of thing I think has really impacted how younger people think of furniture today.”

 

CHIAOZZA

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“Inspired by spring time scenes in the deserts of the American southwest, the colour blocks, squiggles, daubs and dots of this rug invite people of all ages to sprawl out, daydream and get lost discovering little moments of play and tactility.”

 

GRAIG GREEN 

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“With this rug I was interested in exploring the idea of paradise, of escaping reality. Of making a portal or doorway to transport us to somewhere better.”

 

MISAKI KAWAI

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“I’m inspired by funny stuff, goofy stuff and hairy stuff – that’s one of the reasons why I loved doing this rug, it’s a very hairy object. I think it turned out great, it’s comfortable and has amazing colours. It’s fantastic that so many people will be able to enjoy it. Go ahead, please pet the big cats!”

 

SEULGI LEE

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“With this dhurrie, I wanted to bring the light of water inside. I thought of northern Indian artisans, the city Ayodhya, ancient Korean Queen Heo Hwang-ok and, above all, the power of colors. Let’s be happy. As happy as a fish in water.”

 

NOAH LYON

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“This rug depicts the whirlwind of interconnected life as our world tumbles through the universe. It is inspired by the Navajo whirling log – the story of a man who encounters whirlpools and spirits that teach him things of great value to his people.”

 

FILIP PAGOWSKI

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“The idea behind the design was the notion of weaving, with the image reflecting the mechanics of using yarn to build a rug. The abstract rhythm of an endless pattern built on the same grid results in a kind of charming, handmade imperfection.”

 

SUPAKITCH

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“I wanted to play with the concept of the classic animal rug. I looked for an interesting animal to put on the floor and the snake came to mind. As a totem animal, the snake is a spiritual guide that heals. Snakes shed their skin and symbolize rebirth.”