Furoshiki (pronounced fu-rosh-ki) are traditional fabric squares with many personalities used for carrying, well, for whatever you so wish to carry. The Link Collective is a company that gives these simple pieces a desirable edge by commissioning designers worldwide.
Each Furoshiki is around 90 x 90 cm, in soft but strong cotton satin. The Link site provides 3 useful folds for books, a simple shoulder bag, and an inspired two-bottle bag (how the Japanese must laugh when they see westerners with bottles falling from tacky, flimsy plastic bags!).
A quick online search however reveals oh-so-many more folds, from a card wrap (so much better than an envelope!), a melon wrap (thank god), box wraps, flower wraps, turbans, and even (rather lovely) bikini tops. Shoppers out there will be happy, as some folds require 2 Furoshiki.
Once you get over the startlingly useful side of this product, the design becomes a beautiful playground. Link has selected 4 designers so far to lend their eyes to the fabric. Our favorites are Folded Paper and Stripe by Lucinda Newton Dunn that capitalize on the beauty of the stripe, and make intelligent play on the lines and folds of the Furoshiki itself in full swing.
Origami better make way, Furoshiki is a fold with a function!
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