What’s the inspiration behind the new collection?
It’s a combination of our passion for natural fibers and respect for the artisan’s craft—the ethos that informs everything we do at CMO Paris. This dual inspiration is brought to life through the tactile and visual exploration of materials like abaca and sisal, intertwined with the soulful narratives of the craftspeople’s lives and their ancestral techniques–stories that are further enriched by CMO’s newly launched website, a platform offering insight into the artisans’ world, revealing their day-to-day lives and the work behind each creation. Together, these elements form a foundation for the collection, celebrating the synergy between sustainable materials, traditional craftsmanship and the modern digital experience​.

What was the starting point for this collection?
It was influenced by an immersive journey to the Philippines, where we met with the artisans crafting our products. Observing them at work, experiencing the natural landscapes and communities where these fibers originate, and understanding the cultural significance of organic materials like sisal and hemp right at the source really enriched our perspective. This trip allowed us to honor the environment and artisanal heritage but also capture these authentic moments on film for our updated website, providing a holistic and engaging foundation for the collection.

What piece are you most excited to unveil?
Among the array of captivating pieces, the Essence Naturelle mural series and the Gesso Fresque wallcoverings are particularly exciting. The Essence Naturelle series, with its blend of hemp and rattan intertwined with metallic threads, showcases a unique textile that harmoniously merges the organic with the luxurious. This reflects the collection’s forward-thinking approach to traditional materials. Simultaneously, the Gesso Fresque wallcoverings—with hand-sculpted gesso creating mesmerizing crackle effects, stripes, fine ridges and a combed design, further enhanced by flashes of gold, silver, copper and bronze—embody a distinct artistic vision. These pieces stand as a testament to the artisan’s transformative skill, turning traditional craftsmanship into genuine artistry. They highlight the diverse and innovative spirit of the collection.

How do you feel this collection pushes the brand forward?
This collection marks a significant evolution for CMO, seamlessly weaving together the brand’s foundational values of aesthetics, sustainability and traditional craftsmanship with the digital age through the relaunch of its website. By integrating cutting-edge design with sustainable practices and ethical craftsmanship, the collection redefines the benchmarks for luxury interiors, propelling CMO to the forefront as pioneers of sustainable luxury. It embodies the brand’s commitment to not only preserving the rare skills of artisans worldwide but also telling a rich narrative of time-honored craftsmanship through each piece. The newly relaunched website enriches this narrative, offering a deeper dive into stories of sustainability, craftsmanship and the unique journey of each fiber, thus ensuring that CMO continues to lead the way in merging aesthetic beauty with environmental consciousness and innovation, setting a new direction for the future of design.

How does the collection build on or complement your other offerings?
The collection serves as both an extension and a deepening of CMO’s existing array of offerings, enriching the brand’s portfolio with an enhanced commitment to natural materials and artisanal excellence. By weaving together new dimensions of texture and materiality through innovative designs like the Essence Naturelle and Sisal 2 murals, alongside the hand-sculpted Gesso pieces, this collection introduces advanced weaving techniques that blend natural fibers with metallic threads. In doing so, it not only complements but also significantly broadens the aesthetic and tactile palette available to designers, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to naturalism, craft and innovative design. This step underscores CMO’s ongoing mission to blend tradition with innovation, thereby providing a richer, more diverse selection that aligns with our core values​.

What about the collection feels fresh and exciting?
The collection integrates contemporary design principles with a celebration of natural fibers and craftsmanship. The innovative textures and styles, such as the introduction of hand-spun cashmere in the new Plaid designs and the unique treatment of sisal and abaca fibers, offer a refreshing narrative in sustainable luxury that feels novel yet anchored in tradition at the same time. This melding of classic craft techniques with contemporary design elements through material and weaving innovations creates a sensory experience that redefines luxury, making it both refreshingly new and profoundly rooted in heritage. The collection thus stands out for its capacity to present a fresh perspective, capturing the essence of modern luxury while staying true to the ethos of traditional craftsmanship.

Tell us about the materials in this collection. Are there certain materials used throughout, and/or a material that is a highlight on a particular piece?
The collection showcases a rich tapestry of materials, from the raw organic textures of abaca, buri, raffia, rattan and sisal, celebrated for their delicate natural states, to the luxurious refinement of hand-spun cashmere, embodying meticulous craftsmanship and the allure of innate imperfection. A standout feature within this diverse material palette is the hand-sculpted gesso utilized in the Gesso Fresque pieces, where the transformative talent of the artisans is on full display, converting wallcoverings into tactile masterpieces that underscore the collection’s innovative approach to traditional techniques. This blend of materials, ranging from the traditional to the luxurious, underscores the collection’s broad narrative, highlighting both the diversity of the natural world and the depth of artisanal skill involved in bringing each piece to life.

How do you envision designers using this collection?
Designers are encouraged to use this collection to add depth and authenticity to spaces. The variety of textures and materials—ranging from the tactile richness of wallcoverings to the soft elegance of cashmere plaids—allows for creative applications in both residential and commercial interiors where sustainability and craftsmanship are valued​​.

Can the collection be customized? What kind of options are possible?
The collection’s diverse range offers a wealth of possibilities for bespoke adaptations, and our newly launched website provides an ideal starting point for designers and clients to explore its potential for customization as well as engage with all of CMO’s offerings. Whether through colorways, finishes or fabric blends, especially in the plaids and murals, designs can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of any project.