The Lost Cloth Object reinterprets the centuries-old textile traditions of the ancient Kuba Kingdom through ALPI’s innovative approach to recomposed wood.
Made from the fibers of the raffia palm, Kuba cloths are renowned for their geometric motifs and intricate handwork.
Translated into wood, these patterns take on new life through ALPI’s Legacy collection, which revitalizes the natural grain, color, and texture of “lost” or endangered species such as ebony, teak, wenge, rosewood, and zebrawood.
Under the curatorial theme Make. Believe., chosen by Design Miami Curatorial Director Glenn Adamson, the installation will debut at Design Miami 2.0, a museum quality special project booth showcasing the work of eight international design studios, celebrating the intersection of heritage, craft and innovation on the 20th anniversary of Design Miami (December 2-7, 2025).
"My passion for design has guided me on a continuous path of research, born out of a desire for experimentation. To give threedimensionality to ALPI surfaces, I invite designers to create unique pieces unfettered by the restraints of industrial production. The results are free interpretations of ALPI wood that openly channel the artistic approach of their creators.
The encounter with Stephen and the way he was inspired by the traditional craft of Kuba cloth led to an epiphany. I saw an intimate connection to our Legacy collection – both are expressions of cultural heritage at risk of disappearing. When Stephen proposed The Lost Cloth Object, it felt like a moment of magical creativity. The decision to present our collaboration at Design Miami gave even more spirit to this project, forming another tangible link to my exploration of wood, design and art.
The Lost Cloth Object represents a consideration of design as a cultural practice. Its visual language interprets the material and reinvents it to tell a new story." - Vittorio Alpi
