Dozie Kanu Table Collection for Knoll Uses Tasselled Leather & Steel Forms
Amy Duong — April 16, 2026 — Art & Design
References: knoll
The Dozie Kanu table collection for Knoll is a series of furniture pieces, including a console, coffee table, and side table, presented at Milan Design Week 2026. The collection uses steel structures combined with leather surfaces finished with hanging tassels, introducing movement into otherwise static forms. These tasselled elements sit slightly above the ground and shift subtly as people move around the pieces, creating a dynamic interaction between object and space.
The designs draw from multiple cultural references, including African drums, ceremonial garments, and Texan cowboy attire, reflecting Kanu’s background across Nigeria and the United States. The pieces extend from earlier work developed in 2021, translating sculptural ideas into functional furniture. Each table maintains a clear structural base while introducing soft material details that alter perception and scale.
Image Credit: Liz Johnson Artur
The designs draw from multiple cultural references, including African drums, ceremonial garments, and Texan cowboy attire, reflecting Kanu’s background across Nigeria and the United States. The pieces extend from earlier work developed in 2021, translating sculptural ideas into functional furniture. Each table maintains a clear structural base while introducing soft material details that alter perception and scale.
Image Credit: Liz Johnson Artur
Trend Themes
1. Tasselled Kinetic Furniture - Furniture that incorporates hanging elements introduces subtle motion into interiors, changing how occupants perceive and interact with static objects.
2. Cultural Hybrid Design - Designs blending African, Western, and regional craft references create layered narratives that reshape product storytelling and consumer connection.
3. Soft-hard Material Juxtaposition - Combining rigid metal structures with tactile leather and fringe alters perceived scale and invites new sensory experiences within functional objects.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Furniture - High-end makers can introduce collectible pieces where artisanal finishes and kinetic details redefine value and desirability in premium interiors.
2. Hospitality and Experience Design - Boutique hotels and restaurants may use moving-texture furnishings to enhance ambiance and create memorable, immersive guest environments.
3. Retail Visual Merchandising - Store environments that integrate dynamic, tactile displays can transform product presentation and influence shopper attention and dwell time.
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