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An ’80s Design Movement Makes a Comeback

patterns playful geometry design

First embraced by the Memphis Group of Italian designers, wild-child patterns and playful geometry are back in vogue

By Eric Mutrie

patterns playful geometry design -AmericanApparel-cap

1 HAT TRICKS
American Apparel covers this adjustable baseball cap in a new pattern by Nathalie Du Pasquier, who frequently collaborated with the print-loving Memphis Group. $45, at American Apparel, 499 Queen St W americanapparel.net

patterns playful geometry design -zoemowat-mirror2
2 SEE YOU ’ROUND
Curved pieces of marble, purple-painted ash and Russian birch orbit Montreal designer Zoë Mowat’s circular Ora mirror. It’s perfect for deciding which top goes best with that high-waisted spandex. Contact for pricing, at zoemowat.com

DL-0815-LambertFils-Beaubien4
3 TWISTS AND TURNS
Lighting studio Lambert & Fils arranges five bulbs in a quirky composition that resembles a bizarro circuit diagram. We love the brass accents on the powder-coated aluminum frame. $2495, at LightForm, 267 Niagara St

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4 WONDER WALL
Wall & Decò goes polygon crazy with this X-Ploded pattern by Talva Design. Featuring triangles and squares in shades of blue and pink, it’s sure to appeal to adventurous geometry teachers. $10/sq ft, at Are & Be, 1213 Bathurst St

patterns playful geometry design -BoConcept-Trio
5 BOX STARS
Stash trinkets in this trio of wooden storage crates from BoConcept. Playfully patterned openings in the yellow, green and pale-pink lids offer previews of the scrunchies and hoop earrings inside. From $20, at BoConcept, 230 Adelaide St E

patterns playful geometry design -Kartell-sotsass
6 RETRO REVIVAL
Ettore Sottsass, a founder of the exuberant Memphis Group, designed this collection for Kartell in 2004. Including shapely vases, stools and a lamp, it’s finally in production. Call for pricing, at Quasi Modo, 789 Queen St W

Originally published in our Fall 2015 issue as ’80s Revival.


Categories: Stuff

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