The Design | Space Age Meets Paper Lantern
VELA lives in the tension of opposites, not only in the material it is made from, but also in its design inspiration. The collection draws from the futuristic forms of the Space Age era and the soft, diffused light of traditional paper lanterns.
Waste and beauty, futuristic forms and traditional light diffusion come together in a collection that combines a bold, sculptural presence with a sense of warmth and lightness.
The Material | Fabric Waste
VELA starts with an existing waste stream, rather than sourcing and processing new materials. The collection repurposes discarded fabrics sourced locally in the Netherlands, extending the life of materials that have already been produced and processed. Each textile is assessed for its quality,colour and suitability before becoming part of a new piece. The collection aims to contribute to a more circular design system in which discarded materials remain in use and are seen as a valuable resource rather than waste.
The Process | Sourcing and Manufacturing
KALUMA collaborated with local ateliers and thrift stores to source fabrics for the collection.
The textiles are collected, taken apart, and reworked by hand into high-quality, one-of-a-kind lighting objects. The production process is largely manual and designed around the material itself. By creating differently sized objects, even smaller textile waste can be used in the production process. All steps are performed in the KALUMA design studio in The Hague.
