Trailblazing Architect John Pawson Graces the New OYUNA Cashmere Home Line in a Poetic Ode to Nature
The fruit of a creative dialogue between the British minimalism maestro and brand founder Oyuna Tserendorj, the collection reinterprets his timelessly essential architectural explorations as soothing, refined Mongolian cashmere throws
"The greatest things always happen very naturally," Mongolian-born, London-based Oyuna Tserendorj, founder and creative director of luxury ready-to-wear and homeware cashmere brand OYUNA, tells me on a rainy Tuesday morning at her Golborne Road atelier in the West End. Released on October 10 and over a year in the making, the John Pawson x OYUNA collection is certainly one of them.
A spontaneous collaboration between Tserendorj and the British architect and minimalism maestro, this new, five-piece cashmere home line sees their two worlds collide in a poetic celebration of craftsmanship, researched simplicity, and nature. Referring to it as their shared "passion project," the OYUNA creator explains that no real planning nor budgeting went into the launch, but that "it all came together organically". And what better way to introduce the serendipitous essence of Pawson and Tserendorj's joint drop than stripping it back to the essentials? After all, if there's someone who has demonstrated that beauty needs no frills, that is Pawson himself. Informed by his world-acclaimed approach to minimalist interior design, these new OYUNA throws make the architect's neutral universe promptly collectible, bringing it into your home.
"It all starts with the land and the nomads who look after it and its goats," Tserendorj says of OYUNA's tight-knit Mongolian roots, adding that once their undercoats have been collected, they go directly to the two local factories the brand has worked with for the past 22 years, before the finished product is shipped to London. That community-based storytelling served as the starting point for this artistic conversation, and soon the founder realized that it was Pawson's own work that needed to shine through. LAKE, available in ivory and feather, the forest and ocean-shaded CROSSING, and STONE, purchasable in slate or a moss and slate earthy palette, the three designs of the collection, "are cashmere interpretations of two of Pawson's projects" — Kew Gardens' Lake Crossing and his custom-made, slate stone wall texture.
Initially, "we recreated this beautiful frozen lake pattern, but as we weren't happy with the end result, we scrapped it completely and started again from the start," the OYUNA founder recalls. Combining vegetation and water-inspired colors, the John Pawson x OYUNA collection isn't just visually beautiful, but also designed to keep you warm and last for a lifetime. "I use these cashmere throws every single day," Tserendorj says. "Once you try them, you can't go back."
Soft like a feather and gentle on your skin, the throws feel like a fluffy cloud to the touch, and don't make you itchy when wrapped around your shoulders and neck. Thanks to their peaceful tones, they make a luxe, cherishable addition to your bedroom finishing touches, or the ideal homeware accessory for those wanting to balance coziness and sophisticated aesthetics in their homes. But there's more that this line brings to the table than warmth and good looks.
"If you are looking for quality that lasts for longer, then you are in the right place," Tserendorj says of OYUNA. Still, with each of these products "come the whole provenance behind them, the rich history of Mongolia's nomadic communities, the country's artisanal tradition, and John's own values," she adds. And if it is true that buying less and buying better is the way forward, then "there's so much people can gain out of this collection."
The John Pawson x OYUNA collection is available exclusively on oyuna.com and at the brand's Golborne Road flagship
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Shop the Inspiration
Material: 100% Cashmere
Size: 78 x 57′′
Price: $1,726
Shop the Inspiration
Material: 100% Cashmere
Size: 78 x 57′′
Price: $1,726
Shop the Inspiration
Material: 100% Cashmere
Size: 78 x 57′′
Price: $1,726
Shop the Inspiration
Material: 100% Cashmere
Size: 78 x 57′′
Price: $1,726
Gilda Bruno is Livingetc's Lifestyle Editor. Before joining the team, she worked as an Editorial Assistant on the print edition of AnOther Magazine and as a freelance Sub-Editor on the Life & Arts desk of the Financial Times. Between 2020 and today, Gilda's arts and culture writing has appeared in a number of books and publications including Apartamento’s Liguria: Recipes & Wanderings Along the Italian Riviera, Sam Wright’s debut monograph The City of the Sun, The British Journal of Photography, DAZED, Document Journal, Elephant, The Face, Family Style, Foam, Il Giornale dell’Arte, HUCK, Hunger, i-D, PAPER, Re-Edition, VICE, Vogue Italia, and WePresent.
-
9 Things Making Your Home Look Cheap — Avoid These Interior Faux Pas to Retain the Charm of Your Space
If you're worried about dulling the elegance of your home, here are some common mistakes interior designers caution against
By Amiya Baratan Published
-
I’m a California Native — And This Coastal-Inspired Serena & Lily Duvet Is At Top Of My Christmas Wishlist
Let’s just say I know my linens (and a thing or two about luxury). Serena & Lily’s Sale of the Year is here, and I’m finally taking home the duvet of my dreams
By Julia Demer Published
-
Le Creuset Just Released a Ridiculous Tote Bag for Transporting Their Dutch Oven to Thanksgiving — I'm Obsessed
Whether you need it is certainly not the question, here. But whether you want it... well, why wouldn't you?
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
"What's a 'Culinary Artist'?" Inside Instagram's Hottest "Sculptural" Banquets With Imogen Kwok
Blending art, design, and gastronomy, the London-based chef and creative director's spectacular food installations turn every dinner party into the talk of the town. Here, she shares her ingredients for a memorable hosting experience
By Gilda Bruno Published
-
Make Your Home SoCal-Ready With Our Favorite Showrooms and Furniture Stores in Los Angeles
Interior aficionados, rejoice! We have selected the best Los Angeles home décor shops for you, and they all put an hyper-sophisticated spin on "California casual"
By Gilda Bruno Published
-
This Iconic Byron Bay Hotel's New 10-Suite Guesthouse Is a Paradise for Laidback Design Lovers
Designer Tamsin Johnson has crafted a masterful balance between playful, spirited design and mature elegance at Raes Hotel and Guesthouses on Wategos beach
By Marina Rabin Published
-
Feast Your Eyes on the Radiant, Quirky Interiors of the Best Los Angeles Cafés
From brutalist cubes serving aesthetics galore to freshly refurbished, art-plastered hotspots, refresh yourself with our curated edit of the best coffee shops in Los Angeles, CA
By Gilda Bruno Published
-
Searching for Things to Do in LA This Week? Look No Further Than Julia Wong's 70s-Inspired, Exclusive Design "Lounge"
Offering a sneak peek at her forthcoming project, Hudson House, the acclaimed designer's latest WestEdge Design Fair appearance reunites some of the best names in the contemporary interiors scene to celebrate innovation
By Gilda Bruno Published
-
The Best Los Angeles Concept Stores — 7 Captivating Boutiques True Design Insiders Must Know
Fill up on art, design, and shopping inspiration with our edit of the most unique Los Angeles shops, from candy floss-hued beauty havens to multidisciplinary, independent creative hubs
By Gilda Bruno Published
-
The Best Los Angeles Hotels for a Design-Led Escape — 10 Bold Stays You Can't Miss Out on This Year
From freshly revamped motels embodying the spirit of Americana to oceanfront, contemporary interior paradises with unexpected Mediterranean flair, these are the luxury hotels in Los Angeles we're dreaming of right now
By Gilda Bruno Published