Stories
The Basque Envelope
A culture lined with traditions and bold distinctions. It reminds us of our story and individuality here at BENI, too. Rich with individuality while remaining true to practices that transcend the passage of time, we tip our hats to the Côte des Basques.
Date
June 4th, 2026
Author
Beni
Chroma II was photographed along the Côte des Basques, designed with stripes in Atlas Low it adds depth and presence to the pattern. Shop the collection.
Chroma II, inspired by and shot on the Côte des Basques, departs from the summer getaway stripes of Chroma I and finds itself rooted in one of Europe’s most storied weaving centers.
From the jerseys of Bilbao’s beloved soccer team to the region's coastal architecture, the striped pattern found in the linen weaving tradition is noticed and rediscovered. Chroma II delves into the relationships between Basque history and the iconic stripes of the region; a sense of pride and resilience shines through them like light through Venetian blinds.
Aurelio Arteta painted this portrait of iconic Basque football player Rafael Moreno speaking to a young woman. The Athletic Bilbao jersey maintains its stripes today and all the way back to the 1920s.
An old postcard view (source unknown) overlooking the bay in Donostia-San Sebastían–a city along the Basque coast. Parte Vieja, La Isla de Santa Clara, and Monte Urgull are visible in the background.
Painter Agustín Ibarrola–known best for his work in the region's iconic lush green forests–leaves the stripes as whispers on the trees reminding the land of who resides there and reminding his audience of both the longevity and the fragility within Basque history. The forest is filled with his work. Accessible by a wooded foot path, one is able to wander through the forest and see vibrantly painted bands of color adorned on the trunks. There is a presence in this pattern decorating the trees that the exploration of construction and form of Chroma II envelops, pulling pride and humility into the same weave.
The Oma Forest painted by artist Augustín Ibarrola takes us through pieces that connect with place. He explores what it means to make, using the region as your collaborator.
Solano, a hand knotted Atlas construction sheared to a low pile makes rooms for our mind to roam along its patterns. The warm brown and storm blue meet and imbue a thunder cloud of presence. Explore.
Stripes decorate skirts sweeping by the heels of Basque dancers as they wind through the streets of towns along the coast. The handwoven rugs of Chroma II resemble these spirits–energetic and alluring. If rugs could dance, these ones would certainly do the Poxpolin to the gentle rhythm of a txistu.
A map outlining the Basque region and its various dialects created by Louis Lucien Bonaparte in 1863.
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