When two of the most intellectually rigorous names in their respective fields come together, the result is never ordinary. The collaboration between Raf Simons — one of fashion's most consistently challenging and visionary designers — and Kvadrat, the Danish textile house whose fabrics are specified by the world's leading architects and interior designers — produces something genuinely unlike anything else in the upholstery market.
At Studio 198 we are proud to stock the full Raf Simons x Kvadrat collection. Here is everything you need to know about it.
Who is Raf Simons?
Raf Simons is widely regarded as one of the most influential designers of his generation. The Belgian designer built his reputation through his own menswear label — launched in 1995 — before taking on a series of transformative creative directorships: Jil Sander, Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, and most recently as co-creative director of Prada alongside Miuccia Prada.
Throughout his career, Simons has been defined by a distinctive creative philosophy: rigorous minimalism combined with emotional intensity, a deep engagement with youth culture and subculture, and a consistent interest in the relationship between fashion, art and design. His runway collections are as likely to reference Sterling Ruby or Sterling Moss as they are the history of menswear tailoring.
It is this same intellectual curiosity — this refusal to stay within the boundaries of a single discipline — that has driven his long-standing collaboration with Kvadrat.
Who is Kvadrat?
Kvadrat is Denmark's most celebrated textile manufacturer — and one of the most respected in the world. Founded in 1968, Kvadrat has built its reputation on a simple but demanding premise: design and produce the finest textiles possible, in collaboration with the finest designers in the world.
Their client list reads like a who's who of twentieth and twenty-first century design: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Paul Smith, Patricia Urquiola, Doshi Levien, and many others. Their fabrics are specified for some of the world's most significant architectural and interior projects — from cultural institutions and luxury hotels to private residences and commercial spaces where only the highest specification materials will do.
The Raf Simons x Kvadrat Collection
The collaboration between Simons and Kvadrat began in 2014, when textiles from the collection were first unveiled — unannounced — as part of Simons' acclaimed menswear collection in collaboration with artist Sterling Ruby. Since then, new additions to the collection have been released regularly, each with its own distinctive character and material focus.
Phlox — an interpretation of the classic corduroy fabric. This large-scale ribbed textile brings a graphic and three-dimensional character to the collection. Ranging from intense flower-like hues — striking reds, greens and blues — through to calm neutrals and deep blues. The slight iridescence and subtle shine of Phlox add an extra dimension and richness to this very soft, sensuous fabric.
Aaren — Simons' interpretation of the classic twill, its lively dissolved organic surface restrained and contained by sharp diagonal ribs. Formal yet informal, Aaren gets its dichotomous character from a specially developed, loosely spun wool and viscose yarn that creates a beautiful contrast between texture and structure.
Sonar 3 — inspired by the fine suiting tweeds used in high fashion, Sonar presents a complex and sophisticated mixture of colours and texture, woven from bouclé yarn. The resulting fabric has a depth and character that rewards close inspection.
Harald 3 — one of the most versatile fabrics in the collection. A refined, tightly woven upholstery textile available in a broad range of colours — from warm neutrals and muted earth tones through to bold saturated hues. Equally comfortable in residential and commercial specifications.
Einar Mohair — a soft, lustrous mohair that brings warmth and tactile richness to any upholstered piece. The mohair's natural sheen catches light beautifully, making it particularly effective on furniture seen from multiple angles.
Vanir, Fuse, Reflex, Atom, Ria, Balder 3, Sunniva 3 — each successive addition to the collection brings Simons' characteristic colour intelligence and material rigour to a new textile form, from soft mohairs and structured weaves to subtly variegated plains and textured bouclés.
How to Use Raf Simons x Kvadrat in Your Interior
The collection's versatility is one of its greatest strengths. These fabrics work equally beautifully in a modernist apartment, a period townhouse, a boutique hotel or a contemporary commercial space.
For upholstery: Harald, Aaren and Phlox are excellent choices for sofas, armchairs and dining chairs. Their Martindale rub counts make them suitable for high-use residential furniture, and their colour ranges work with virtually any interior palette.
For cushions and accessories: The Raf Simons x Kvadrat cushion range — in Sonar 3, Ria, Einar, Atom and Aaren — offers a beautifully considered way to introduce the collection into a space without committing to a full upholstery project.
For commercial and hospitality projects: Kvadrat fabrics carry the fire ratings and technical certifications required for contract specification. Our team can provide full technical specifications for any fabric in the collection.
Ordering at Studio 198
The full Raf Simons x Kvadrat collection — including upholstery fabrics and cushions — is available at Studio 198 with worldwide delivery on all orders.
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