Kvadrat in Australia | Celebrating Colour, Culture and Collaboration

Danish textile innovator Kvadrat has launched independently in Australia and New Zealand, marking a pivotal new chapter in its global evolution and spotlighting creativity, local collaboration, and bold storytelling.

Having maintained a long-standing presence in the region through a partnership with Maharam, this independence enables Kvadrat to offer its full portfolio—spanning textiles, rugs, acoustic solutions, and accessories—directly to clients across Australia and New Zealand. “This move allows us to forge closer relationships with the local design industry and deliver seamless service on both local and global projects,” Kvadrat CEO Anders Byriel says.

To celebrate the launch, Kvadrat released a playful short film inspired by the iconic Australian film Priscilla, Queen of the Desert—a vibrant expression of the brand’s creative ethos and unapologetic embrace of colour and culture.

In an exclusive interview with est living, Anders Byriel shared insights into Kvadrat’s values of collaboration, sustainability, and design innovation—from global partnerships to nurturing local talent, including Studio Truly Truly, Adam Goodrum, and Pattern Studio, who are designing the brand’s forthcoming Sydney showroom, set to open in early 2026. “We’re excited to deepen the conversation with Australia’s architects, designers and creatives,” Anders says. “The region’s strong focus on quality over quantity aligns perfectly with Kvadrat’s values.”

“Kvadrat’s culture is shaped through dialogue with creative communities around the world, and we’re excited to deepen that conversation with Australia’s architects, designers, and creatives.”

– Kvadrat CEO Anders Byriel

Kvadrat has long been a leading force in textiles and design across Europe and beyond—what does the brand’s arrival in the Australian market represent for you?

We’ve had a presence in Australia for over 23 years through our partnership with Maharam. Now, operating independently allows us to offer our full product range directly to clients in Australia and New Zealand. Many of our clients work on global projects, so having our own team here will help us forge closer relationships with the local architecture, design, and furniture industries. It also positions us to deliver a more seamless service to both international and Australian clients.

What unique qualities do you see in the Australian design community, and how do you envision Kvadrat contributing to or collaborating with this local context?

Australia has a vibrant design and architecture scene and sits at the forefront of where contemporary design is headed, with strong connections to both Europe and the West Coast of America. The focus on quality over quantity aligns perfectly with Kvadrat’s values. Sustainability is ingrained in our design principles and business processes, ensuring our products—from textiles to acoustics, rugs, and accessories—support sustainable design and architecture.

You’ve partnered with some of the world’s most influential designers, architects, and artists. How do collaborations shape the Kvadrat brand, and are there plans for local partnerships in Australia?

Over the years, we’ve proudly supported Australian architects on projects both locally and globally. We’ve also collaborated with Australian designers including Adam Goodrum, Benja Harney, and Studio Truly Truly. Continuing this commitment, we’ve invited Pattern Studio to design our new Sydney showroom. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Lily and Josh and bring their vision for Kvadrat Australia to life.

The launch visuals—including the ‘Kvadrat–Priscilla’ bus—show a playful and bold expression of the brand. How important is storytelling in your approach to design and brand experience?

As a leader in design and creativity, we constantly push the boundaries of product design and manufacturing. While storytelling plays an important role in sharing the thinking behind our work, our priority is creating exceptional products with genuine creative depth and energy—products that spark imagination and resonate with our audience. The story then becomes something authentic and inherent to the product itself.

What excites you most about this new chapter for Kvadrat in Australia—and what should Australian architects and designers expect from the brand in the coming months?

Kvadrat’s culture is shaped through dialogue with creative communities around the world, and we’re excited to deepen that conversation with Australia’s architects, designers, and creatives.

In the coming months, you can expect the launch of an exquisite new collection of upholsteries and curtains by Patricia Urquiola, as well as our latest range of residential curtains and rugs unveiled at 3daysofdesign. We’ll also be introducing a new accessory collection by Raf Simons for Kvadrat/Raf Simons, and launching the 2026 Sahco collection in January. But most of all, we’re looking forward to opening our new Sydney showroom in early 2026—and to meeting many members of the Australian design community at the event.