Yaré fibre is an example of the great biodiversity that Colombia possesses. This fibre extracted by indigenous communities in southern Colombia grows attached to trees and is used by artisans in local communities. The Ibuju collection includes several pieces made from the natural yaré fibre inspired by the indigenous Amazonian aesthetic to celebrate the culture of the region, while highlighting the need to preserve its biodiversity.
The starting point for the designs is typical wooden furniture, but reimagined in a natural material that does not require felling the tree it grows on. “I try to reference a piece of furniture that could have been built from wood, but is now made from a regenerative fibre that only relies on the tree that might have been felled” says Jaramillo.
The collection aims to draw attention to the social and economic implications of deforestation, as the loss of the forest puts pressure on the local communities that depend on its resources. “Excessive demand for timber leads to logging and, consequently, the possible disappearance of other species” explains Jaramillo. The yare is negatively affected by the deforestation of the forest and its disappearance implies a social and economic loss for these communities.
Made by local artisans near Medellín, Colombia, the furniture is created using traditional weaving techniques, and each piece takes up to eight weeks to produce. “The aim of this collection is to document and make visible to designers, creators and the general public the importance of using local resources responsibly” explains Jaramillo.
The Ibuju collection aims to highlight the importance of sustainable design. The group of pieces is constantly developing and is open to different collaborations with collectors and interior designers.
The collection earned Francisco Jaramillo recognition from Dwell magazine as one of Dwell magazine’s 24 Designers of the Year in 2022. A year later, the bench and stool were Wallpaper Awards winners, selected as Best New Fabrics, and featured in SightUnseen’s selection of favourite objects in their selection of favourite objects. In 2024, the collection was nominated for the Dezeen Awards in the sustainability design category and received a Design Miami commendation in the Where we stand category. The pieces have been exhibited at Design Miami 2023 by Side, as well as at CasaVells the same year with the same gallery. They were part of the Design Parade in Hyeres and were selected by Elle Decoration magazine as a special project for Milan Design Week.
Francisco Jaramillo
Francisco Jaramillo (Medellín), creator of the Fango brand, is an award-winning Colombian designer who uses local materials for his furniture, resulting in uniquely Colombian pieces. By collaborating with local artisans and imparting his knowledge of processes and materials through teaching, he has helped shape a design culture that does not derive its methods solely from Western or international influences.
Growing up in Medellín, Jaramillo always looked to the sky to derive shapes from the clouds, and today his design continues to be inspired by his surroundings, drawing on local materials rooted in place. After completing his university studies, the designer travelled to Barcelona to specialise in furniture design at Elisava, working with designers who influenced his work with local materials. Upon returning to Colombia, he founded Fango, which explores the relationship between man, context and object, combining technology with craftsmanship to create collectible furniture driven by a clear narrative.
As a result of his close collaboration with artisans, Jaramillo began to study local materials, developing the Ibuju collection, which rethinks the design and manufacture of native wood pieces using a natural and renewable fibre called “Yaré”. The Ibuju stool earned Jaramillo a Wallpaper* Design Award 2023 in the “Best New Weaves” category. The designer has also participated in design weeks around the world, such as Dutch Design Week, Wanted Design, Abierto Mexicano de Diseño and Medellín Design Week.
Fango. Francisco Jaramillo
@fangostudio
Project by Francisco Jaramillo
