Kusheda Mensah's "Palma Pouf" is Designed to Encourage Connection
The three-piece collection marks the designer’s first collaboration with Swedish brand Hem.
Summary
- Hem has partnered with British-Ghanaian designer Kusheda Mensah to launch the “Palma Pouf” series
- The poufs are inspired by natural forms and designed to be functional sculptures that encourage interaction and connection.
- The Palma collection can be purchased on Hem.com now and will be presented at the 3daysofdesign festival in Copenhagen next week
Swedish brand Hem has teamed up with British-Ghanaian designer Kusheda Mensah to create a series of organic-shaped poufs named “Palma”.
Launching next week, the piece marks the first collaboration between Hem and London-based Mensah, and is a continuation of an earlier collection “Mutual I”.
As with the original collection, each piece in the Palma range takes its form cues from naturally occurring shapes, such as the human body. Conceptually, Mensah developed “Mutual I” as a series of functional sculptures that would encourage interaction and connection. This idea has become somewhat of a constant throughout her practice, and is something she brings to the Hem collaboration, too.
“I’m incredibly excited to be presenting the Palma collection at 3DD – it’s my debut at the festival, and a real milestone in my journey as a Black woman in design,” she said. “This moment is my vision board brought to life.”
“Kusheda’s work was an instant love affair; rigorous research and playful spirit made for a paw-like pouf that makes us smile every time,” added Petrus Palmér, Hem Founder and CEO.
Palma is made up of three sculptural forms suitable for perching, supporting, and reclining. Designed to accommodate multiple users, each segment of the pouf facilitates inward seating to promote closeness and conversation, whether used individually or in a larger configuration.
Each is available in a range of finishes, including Kvadrat upholstery, boucle, and leather. The three part series will be shown at next week’s 3daysofdesign festival in Copenhagen, and is available now on Hem.com on, with prices beginning at €799 (approximately $899 USD).
