Umbra Gets ‘Flocked’

Sounding vaguely obscene, Umbra’s motto this ICFF was “Get flocked!,” a message delivered to passers-by via a canary-yellow typeface. The catchphrase referred to how this year, Umbra’s usual products—lamps, chairs, tables, magazine racks—came coated with a synthetic film of either yellow, cobalt blue, or hot pink fuzz. Flocking, traditionally associated with 1970’s-era wall coverings, was once exclusively made from wool, but now can be created from almost any material that can be minced. This fluorescent Umbra collection shouts “synthetic!,” but sometimes too much of something that’s too much can be a good thing.