#160 Designers Doing it for Chaaaaarity

I'm always telling people, I love a bit of chaaaaaaarity. So tonight I went along to the New Zealand Fashion Designs Rugs (not a typo) launch at Designer Rugs in Parnell. Basically, take six designers, (Crane Brothers, Cybele, Nom*D, State of Grace, World and Zambesi), get them to design a big rug, then auction the finished product off with all proceeds going to chaaaaaarity. Everybody's a winner.

I had a little chat with Cybele (that's her rug above) and it went something like this:
Me: Hi Cybele how are you? How did you find the time to design the rug with fashion week coming up and everything?
Cybele: I actually designed it ages ago, a few months ago.
Me: The print comes from one of your previous seasons right?
Cybele: Yeah, the print is related to one of our fabric prints from Eclipse, our Winter 2008 collection. Emma (from Cybele) and I collaborated on the print, she's a very talented graphic designer, she's got the skills.
Me: Which charity are you supporting?
Cybele: Women's refuge. A rug is all about comfort, warmth and safety in the home so it relates really well.
Me: Are you competitive with the other designers about which rug sells for the most?
Cybele: (Laughs) No!
Me: Are you stressing out about Fashion Week? I remember before your show in Sydney last year you were totally calm - I was stressing out more than you!
Cybele: No I'm very calm actually, if you get stressed out things spiral out of control so I'm keeping on my deep breathing, everything's fine.













I then moved on for a brief chat with Murray Crane. (That's his rug above.)
Me: Where did the flag design come from?
Murray: It's the United Tribes of New Zealand flag from 1834, pre the Treaty of Waitangi. It should be our national flag.
Me: What do you reckon it'll go for?
Murray: I don't know. It'll just take one person, if they want it and they've got a bit of taste (laughs) they'll get it.

Check out all the rugs (and start the bidding) at www.designerrugs.co.nz