The lampshade by Mirei Monticelli is made from banaca, a handwoven textile created from banana and abaca plant fibres sourced in the Bicol region of the Philippines. The material is produced through a manual process where fibres are extracted, processed, and woven by artisans using traditional techniques passed down through generations. The lamps are made in collaboration with this craft network and produced as small-batch, made-to-order pieces.
The design is formed through a layered weaving structure that allows light to pass through the textile, creating diffused illumination when the lamp is switched on. The shapes are organic and sculptural, formed through manual shaping of the woven material rather than rigid moulding. Each piece varies slightly due to the handmade process, with differences in tension, weave density, and surface form.
Image Credit: Mirei Monticelli
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Bio-based Textile Lighting
- Integration of banana and abaca fibre textiles into luminaires creates biodegradable, low-carbon lighting materials that blur boundaries between textile craft and electrical fixtures.
- Handwoven Craft Revival
- A resurgence in artisanal weaving techniques brings unique material stories and tactile variability into premium product narratives, challenging mass-produced uniformity.
- Small-batch Made-to-order Design
- Demand for bespoke, small-batch production emphasizes scarcity and customization, shifting value from scale economies toward provenance and craft provenance transparency.
Where This Applies
- Home Furnishings
- Lighting and decor categories can be transformed by introducing sculptural, plant-fibre textiles that offer differentiated aesthetic and sustainability credentials for premium interiors.
- Sustainable Fashion
- Textile techniques and plant-based fibre processing used in lampshades suggest cross-application into accessories and garments where organic textures and traceable supply chains become selling points.
- Luxury Hospitality
- Boutique hotels and high-end restaurants could leverage handwoven, regionally sourced lighting as ambient design elements that embed cultural storytelling into guest experiences.
