Designer matresses by Rajo Laurel. (Photos from rajolaurel.com)

The Age of Collaboration has dawned upon us. Everywhere you look, people come together to fuse their styles and ideas to create products that are new, unique and surprising. Designers are at the forefront of this trend as their clothes, furniture, and what-have-you readily present their points of view. By tapping the genius of these designers, companies are not merely leveling up or slapping a premium on otherwise mundane objects. They are presenting an alternative to consumers who are already familiar with their products in the first place. Think of the collaborations between jewelry company Tiffany and architect Frank Gehry, electronic giant Samsung and fashion designer Anna Sui and the retail powerhouse Target and fashion savant Isaac Mizrahi.

At the homefront, we have seen fashion designers diversifying their portfolio by designing non-clothing products. One of the most notable among them is Rajo Laurel, who has put his name on a cake, furniture and recently, on a line of specialty mattresses called Trapunto. The word “trapunto” actually means “to embroider” in Italian and fittingly describes the detail that goes into the production of the line. The mattresses feature contoured cut and knitted fabric cover, providing luxurious softness and ultimate comfort. While people may initially be drawn to the aesthetic of Trapunto, they’ll be surprised to know that the ergonomics of the line is not compromised as every mattress, along its three zones, supports the shoulder, lumbar and hip areas.

A self-confessed lover of the snooze, Rajo immediately proceeded to the drawing board when Uratex approached him to design the line. “I feel really good that Uratex approached me for this project,” he said. “(Sleeping) is one of my favorite things in the world. The value of good sleep is so important. You cannot function properly without proper sleep. With this project I am able to fully interpret my desires for a perfectly desired sleep.”

Uratex is equally excited about the collaboration. William Lee, executive vice president of the company, said: “We’re excited about this collaboration with Rajo Laurel. He’s one of Asia’s most brilliant fashion designers. Versatile, creative, very talented.”

Back to Rajo. After figuring what constitutes his notion of a “perfect sleep,” he simply had to tap his welter of design expertise and drew inspiration from the realm of fashion. “I was inspired by incorporating tailoring and dress-making techniques into the beds,” he said. “I incorporated my signature techniques in the bed and literally incorporated my signature in the fabric.”

It was important for Rajo to be hands-on with the line, not only because it bears his name but mainly because he wants to make sure that the Trapunto line seamlessly melds the best in available technology in foam-making with a high stylish quotient that people have come to expect with anything that he creates. “After the process I really learned so much,” he shared. “I was introduced to a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of sleeping technology. At first my head is spinning but after a while I got the hang of it and ended with a bed that really has my mark on it.”

Another god thing with the Trapunto line—available in blue, beige and white—is that it is also extremely hygienic as both the foam and the cover are treated with Sanitized which zaps out bacteria, fungi, dust mites, mold, mildew and odor. The line also carries the five-year foam warranty that Uratex is known for.

It seems that Uratex and Rajo Laurel are making good music together. The Trapunto line is actually already their second collaboration. Rajo has previously designed the Scatola, a line of futons that convert into an ottoman in three folds. The designer is tinkering with ideas for future projects but for now, he’s simply waiting how the people would respond to Trapunto. “I still have so many ideas up my sleeves. However, I want to see the public reaction to this project. There is still much to learn,” he concluded.