Recycled Polyester Textile Technology Shapes Adaptive Lighting Collection
Japanese fashion innovator A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE and Swiss design studio atelier oï have unveiled a lighting collection centred around an innovative pleated textile made from recycled polyester. A-POC ABLE developed the material using its proprietary Steam Stretch technology. This process creates three-dimensional structures through controlled heat-induced shrinkage, transforming flat fabric into sculptural forms. By applying this textile innovation to lighting design, the collaboration demonstrates how advanced fabric technologies can create adaptable interior products and extend the use of fashion materials beyond the garment industry.
From Fashion Material To Interior Product
The TYPE-XIII Atelier Oï Project explores the relationship between “a piece of cloth” and “a piece of wire”. The collaboration combines A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE’s expertise in textile innovation with atelier oï’s multidisciplinary approach to architecture, interior design and product design.
The partners first presented the project during Milan Design Week 2025. The installation showcased how textile manufacturing techniques can move beyond fashion and into the field of lighting design. The project highlights a growing trend in which designers transfer material innovations across disciplines to create new products and experiences.
Portable Lighting Made From Recycled Textile Technology
The first product from the collaboration is the O Series, a collection of portable lamps developed with Japanese lighting manufacturer Ambientec. Inspired by the delicate form of flowers, the lamps encourage users to move light freely between different environments.
Atelier oï designed an elegant oval wire frame for the collection. A detachable textile shade made from recycled polyester surrounds the frame. The shade uses A-POC ABLE’s Steam Stretch technology, which weaves design elements directly into the fabric before heat treatment activates the final shape.
This process creates a lightweight yet durable pleated structure with strong visual depth. The resulting material diffuses light softly while maintaining its sculptural form.
Users can remove and replace the textile shade to suit different interiors or moods. This adaptability can extend product lifespan and reduce the need for replacement. The lamp also offers four colour temperature settings, ranging from warm ambient light to daylight white.
Customisable Seamless Knit Structures
Alongside the O Series, the collaboration introduced the A Series, a pendant lighting concept made from A-POC’s signature seamless knitted fabric.
The interconnected textile shades allow users to customise the fixture. They can cut the knitted structure at different points to create alternative shapes. Users can also combine multiple shades into larger lighting arrangements.
The concept demonstrates how seamless textile construction can support flexible product design while reducing assembly complexity. It also shows how manufacturing methods developed for fashion can generate new possibilities for interiors.
Exploring Cross-Disciplinary Material Innovation
For both partners, the project centres on material exploration. By combining textile engineering, wire structures and lighting design, the collaboration creates products that are lightweight, adaptable and visually expressive.
The collection offers an example of how recycled materials and advanced textile technologies can inspire new approaches to product and interior design. It also illustrates the growing potential of cross-disciplinary material innovation, where developments in one sector can unlock opportunities in another.
Source & photos: A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE