Virgil Abloh IKEA

Often referred to as MARKERAD, Virgil Abloh IKEA is a line of houseware that represents a collaboration between Ikea and the late American fashion designer Virgin Abloh. Known for his industrial design aesthetic and subversive elements, Abloh used this partnership to build upon IKEA’s minimalist designs and reinvent everyday objects. Since the designer’s passing in 2021, items in the limited-edition collection have become more popular as fans seek to obtain a piece of Abloh’s creative legacy.

The collection consists of standard IKEA products, including duvet covers, rugs, tables, day beds, chairs, clocks, and wall art. All these classic products come with an ironic twist or an unexpected element that catches the eye. The Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD "RECEIPT" Rug 201x89 CM White/Black is a simple white rug made to look exactly like an IKEA receipt. Similarly, the Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD "MONA LISA" Backlit Artwork Multicolour is like any other print of the Mona Lisa, but the illumination from behind blurs the line between art and design.

Something that makes this collection stand out is the use of bold lettering sandwiched between quotation marks. The Virgil Abloh x IKEA "GREY" Rug 195x133 CM Black features "GREY" spelled out in white letters across a black background. The name MARKERAD is Swedish for "marked" and a nod to Abloh’s use of simple quotation marks in his designs, a detail that he applies to his collaboration with IKEA.

Abloh collaborated with other brands, ranging from Masters of the Universe to Nike. Some of Abloh’s other products include books, action figures, clocks, snowboards, and dishware.