I first spotted ikats several years ago in an issue of Harper’s Bazaar. The magazine was heralding the start of the “tribal” trend in fashion: safari jackets, bold ethnic prints, chunky wood jewelry. I ripped out the page for my notebook and officially fell in love with ikats.
David Easton's Westmount Wall Ikat, photo from a 2008 Lee Jofa Ad.
Ikat means “to tie” or “to bind.” Traditionally, the fabrics are created using a dyeing process on the warp or weft thread, similar to tie-dyeing, and then woven to create the design. This technique produces the beautiful, uneven edges and hand-dyed look that make an ikat so distinctive.
First traded in the fifteenth century and woven by cultures the world over, ikats are still a driving force in fashion as well as interior design, where it is proving to be a unique and versatile design. Bold, bright colors traditionally associated with ikats have evolved into soft, subdued hues of blue, green and gray that work in practically any style or period of décor.
Lee Jofa Sassari Ikat in Leaf colorway.
Blogger Daniela Shuffler of Aesthetic Oiseau chose the Sassari Ikat from Lee Jofa for the throw pillows in her new living room. She said, “A small ikat pillow in a vibrant color scheme can really pull a room together and add a dose of fresh eye candy to an otherwise neutral (and perhaps traditional) room. I think so many people want unique goods over mass-produced objects. Although all ikat fabric may not be handmade, it has the look of something unique and non-traditional.”
Threads by Lee Jofa Nirvana Ikat in Granite colorway.
I ran across this fantastic home in historic Savannah that was recently updated by designer Linn Gresham, ASID, IIDA. She used the Nirvana Ikat from Threads by Lee Jofa to slip cover a table in the entry hall. “This ikat caught my eye years ago. The scale, the sheen of the silk, the charcoal color and the way the body of the fabric hangs so crisply,” Gresham said, “It was just what the table needed.”
One thing both designers mentioned is the idea of travel, and how ikats can bring that dose of worldliness into a room. When so many of us are revisiting the notion of comfort in our homes, bringing representations of our memories and experiences into our living spaces makes perfect sense.
It is easy to see why ikats are so popular; it certainly seems to be a trend with some staying power. What do you love about ikat?
-JP
