Ames Blanket

Under the Ames label, five designers from Germany, Iceland and Colombia design and distribute furniture, textiles and accessories. On closer inspection, however, there is much more behind the idea: the design is the result of cultural encounters, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design, or, as the designers themselves describe it: Ames is the fusion of Icelandic clarity, Colombian warmth and German functionalism. All of the pieces are produced by German and Colombian manufacturers, using natural and sustainable materials, processed and employed in a resource-conserving manner.

The Ames Sala line, for which Sebastian Herkner is responsible, is inspired by his travels through Colombia, during which he got to know the local artisans and their traditional methods of production, handed down within their families for centuries. On this basis, he designed accessories and textiles that combine Colombian craftsmanship and modern design, can be produced locally, and are at the same time suitable for the European market.
The template for this blanket was the Ruana, a poncho-style outer garment typical of the local people in the Andes. Woven from thick, soft wool, Ruanas provide warmth in winter and coolness in the summer. The blanket is created on horizontal looms, which are manually set up and operated. It is woven in two colours, as well as partly in dog’s-tooth check, a pattern which is traditionally known as Gallineto in Colombia.