Sea, salt, and sand. Memory is a powerful connector. Sights, sounds, and smells of a certain place evoke memories from decades ago, situating us firmly in another time. The new blanket collection proudly presented by Electric Bowery and Bien Mal is a story of memory made physical for co-founders of Electric Bowery Cayley Lambur and Lucia Bartholomew. A physical documentation of a road trip that ties four cities together, Venice, Santa Barbara, Big Sur, and New York City, the specific terroir of the textures, colors, and personality of these distinct cities can come with you, wrapping yourself up in another time.
This collaboration feels natural, both Electric Bowery and Bien Mal being women-led and focused on sustainable processes. Each blanket is double knit in either recycled or 100% Egyptian cotton, working to reduce water consumption in the notoriously consumptive textile industry. Beatriz Blank first started Bien Mal when she first moved to the U.S. from Venezuela, searching for a way to bring the joy and spirit from her culture to her new country. These blankets take on a deeper meaning when considering the warmth and comfort of home, essential for human health and happiness.
Bowery
Bowery is knit in recycled cotton, an ode to the glass block sidewalks of Soho in downtown New York City, reflecting square streams of light on to the buildings. These block motifs contrast with a cool grey background, embodying the surrounding cityscape.
Electric Ave
Electric Ave is inspired by the ever-flowing movements of the ocean, an ode to the swirling surf by Venice Beach. A striped border decorates the edge, a graphic and welcome touch.
HWY 1
HWY 1 is designed for Big Sur, with the iridescence of an abalone shell at it’s core. Of course, nature repeats itself, so these undulating curves could also be reminiscent of the vertices of Highway 1, wood bark, or the layered textures of the Big Sur landscape itself.
Castillo
Traditional Spanish tilework dots the streets of Santa Barbara, decorating facades, courtyards, and arches around the city. This is where Cayley Lambur calls home, and inspired Castillo, reflecting on time spent in situ.
To learn more about the blanket collection from Electric Bowery and
Bien Mal, visit bienmal.com.
Photography by Chris Mottalini and Mariana.
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