Hair Highway by Studio Swine is Deceptively Polished
Meghan Young — July 3, 2014 — Eco
References: studioswine & fastcodesign
At first glance, the Hair Highway collection appears to be made up of objects crafted out of wood and bone. In reality, as its name gives away, they were created using real human hair. Hardened and polished, it becomes apparent that their chosen material revolves around this organic strands as one looks closer to the patterns on the objects' surfaces.
Designed by Japanese architect Azusa Murkakmi and British artist Alexander Groves of Studio Swine, Hair Highway was inspired by a five month residency spent exploring the global hair industry, which is centered in China. Traveling to the Shandong Province to visit the world's largest human hair market, the design duo realized that "human hair was a material with almost infinite possibility," as put by Fast Co Design.
Designed by Japanese architect Azusa Murkakmi and British artist Alexander Groves of Studio Swine, Hair Highway was inspired by a five month residency spent exploring the global hair industry, which is centered in China. Traveling to the Shandong Province to visit the world's largest human hair market, the design duo realized that "human hair was a material with almost infinite possibility," as put by Fast Co Design.
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Materials - The use of unconventional materials like human hair in home decor showcases the trend towards sustainable and eco-friendly design.
2. Craftsmanship Revival - The intricate patterns and polished finish of the Hair Highway collection highlight the resurgence of craftsmanship and attention to detail in design.
3. Exploration of Local Industries - The artists' exploration of the global hair industry in China demonstrates the trend of designers and innovators immersing themselves in local industries to uncover new creative opportunities.
Industry Implications
1. Home Decor - The Hair Highway collection represents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the home decor industry by reimagining unconventional materials for unique and sustainable design solutions.
2. Fashion and Beauty - The exploration of the global hair industry in Hair Highway opens up disruptive innovation possibilities in the fashion and beauty industry, where traditional materials can be replaced by sustainable alternatives.
3. Art and Design - Hair Highway's blend of art and design creates a disruptive innovation opportunity in the art industry by challenging traditional mediums and craftsmanship techniques.
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