The development of Mangas Original took four years of research, in which GAN had to find the tools and create the complex work method that allows the weaving of these pieces on a manual loom, despite their changing textures, threads, and widths.

Patricia Urquiola took as aesthetic reference the classic knitted wool sweater, to design a collection with lots of volume that could combine different textures. From there arose not only a whole line of rugs, inspired by the sweater’s sleeves, but also a series of poufs of original formats.

Some rug models have a very elongated shape and large dimensions, others are of medium or small size. All of them can be combined as if they were modular pieces. In addition, they can also be hung on the wall as a tapestry, and in the case of larger pieces, some can cover part of the floor and the wall at the same time.

Mangas Original, a GAN Spaces collection

GAN spaces are collections meticulously constructed from innovative concepts and artisanal production methods. Suggestive approaches that, stemming from a rug, are capable of bringing to life a whole family of modules and accessories with which to design an environment or “space”. A set of designs linked together, designed to project stimulating and contemporary atmospheres with an open, flexible and casual configuration.

Patricia Urquiola, designer of the Mangas Original collection

Patricia Urquiola is an architect and designer of Spanish origin who settled in Italy after graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1989. After working with Italian masters of design such as Achille Castiglioni and Vico Magistretti, she founded her own studio in 2001. Since then, she has tackled very diverse projects, from furniture and lighting to ephemeral installations or the integral design of hotels. Her sensitivity to traditional handmade objects and international cooperation in the field of handmade productions led to the start of a fruitful collaboration in 2004 with GAN, which continues to this day.