YINKA ILORI X MOMENTUM || A Vibrant New Era in Commercial Textiles and Wallcoverings
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering has partnered with British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori to introduce an exuberant new collection of textiles and wallcoverings.
This collaboration marks Ilori’s first venture into the commercial textile and wallcovering industry, bringing his signature vibrant aesthetic to the forefront of interior design.
An Artistic Journey Rooted in Heritage
Yinka Ilori, affectionately known as the "Architect of Joy," draws profound inspiration from his dual heritage. His work seamlessly blends British and Nigerian influences, creating a distinctive design language that resonates with a global audience. Beginning his career by upcycling vintage furniture, Ilori has since collaborated with renowned brands such as Adidas, Lego, Pinterest, and Universal Music. His accolades include the World Architecture London Design Medal for Emerging Designers and a spot on Architectural Digest’s 2024 AD100 list.
Ilori's collaboration with Momentum is a natural progression, aligning perfectly with the company's mission to inspire and equip customers with innovative and sustainable designs. Momentum, the industry’s largest supplier of commercial textiles and wallcoverings, is known for its partnerships with celebrated artists like Sheila Hicks, Shantell Martin, and Aleksandra Gaca.
A Collection Inspired by Joy and Community
The Yinka Ilori x Momentum collection features five distinct patterns, each telling a unique story through colour and design:
Shower Me With Flowers: A modernist geometric take on florals, reducing floral motifs to their minimal elements.
Dream Catchers: A dreamlike juxtaposition of shapes, evoking a sense of whimsical fantasy.
Eyes in Reflection: A versatile grid of rounded motifs that play with symmetry and repetition.
Blossoms Time: Solid colours with a woven texture, bringing a tactile depth to the design.
Rhythms Surround You: An exuberant stripe pattern stacking multiple arches, circles, chevrons, and triangles, also available as a wallcovering.
Two captivating wallcovering patterns are also part of the collection: Moving Mountains, featuring a geometric visual feast, and Shifting Motions, capturing the essence of movement and dynamism with a kaleidoscopic design.
These patterns are not merely decorative; they embody themes of community, empowerment, and positivity—core tenets in Ilori’s work. Each design is a visual affirmation, transforming commercial spaces into vibrant, joyful environments that inspire and uplift.
Moving Mountains.
Bringing ColoUr and Optimism to Commercial Spaces
Ilori’s vision for this collection is to infuse commercial spaces with culture, storytelling, and joy. "My collaboration with Momentum is a testament to the power of happiness created by strong community and storytelling," explains Ilori. "Together we aim to transform commercial spaces into playful creative hubs that inspire, uplift, and even heal."
Shifting Motions.
Momentum’s Chief Marketing & Creative Officer, Jennifer Nye, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the alignment between Ilori’s artistic vision and Momentum’s commitment to fostering creativity. "His ability to infuse spaces with culture and storytelling aligns perfectly with Momentum’s commitment to pushing boundaries and fostering creativity in commercial environments," Nye shares. "This collaboration is not only a fusion of artistic prowess but also a celebration of heritage and the transformative power of joy."
A Historic Unveiling at NeoCon 2024
The Yinka Ilori x Momentum collection will make its debut at the 2024 NeoCon trade show. Ilori will deliver a keynote address and present an immersive commission for Chicago’s ART on THE MART program, making him the first artist to launch a collection, deliver a keynote, and present a major public art installation at NeoCon in the same season.
Yinka Ilori with the exuberant designs.
This collaboration signifies a milestone in commercial design, blending Ilori’s unique artistic vision with Momentum’s expertise in creating inspiring and sustainable products. Together, they are set to redefine the landscape of commercial interiors, bringing a fresh wave of colour, culture, and joy to spaces around the world.
