Lush canopies, hidden creatures and riotous colour unfurl across Wild, an enchanting new textile collection by Jim Thompson and Bill Bensley that captures the pulse, poetry and precious fragility of the Cardamom Mountains rainforest. Unveiled at Paris Deco Off on January 14, the world’s most anticipated interior design showcase, the collection made its debut among the grand ateliers and lantern-lit streets of Saint-Germain-des-Pres — often described as Fashion Week for interiors. Against this storied Parisian backdrop, Wild emerged as one of the season’s most lyrical stars, a collaboration that whispers of distant jungles, endangered species and the delicate dance between beauty and responsibility.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!At its heart, Wild is a deeply personal translation of Bensley’s dreamscape. Renowned for his flamboyant resort designs and narrative-driven interiors, the architect, artist and conservationist turned inward during the pandemic, retreating to his easel to paint the flora and fauna of Cambodia’s Cardamom rainforest. What began as an intimate creative ritual soon evolved into sweeping panoramic artworks — rich in colour, movement and emotion — that now form the soul of this collaboration. Through Jim Thompson’s revered craftsmanship, those paintings unfold across luxurious drapery, upholstery, embroidery and outdoor fabrics, each piece imbued with a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world.
The Cardamom Mountains, one of Southeast Asia’s last great unfragmented rainforests, are home to a dazzling array of endangered wildlife and serve as a vital climate regulator for the region, influencing rainfall patterns and biodiversity. It is this extraordinary ecosystem that provides both the visual and emotional anchor for Wild. In fabric form, the collection reads like an enchanted storybook. Panoramic prints stretch across linen-cotton draperies, leafy embroideries introduce a handcrafted intimacy, and intricate jacquards ripple with botanical intricacy. Chunky woven textures echo the forest floor, grounding the collection in tactile depth, while high-performance outdoor textiles allow the narrative to flow seamlessly from garden to living room.
Among the standout designs is Wild Winds (main feature image), a breathtaking drapery set that sends flocks of wild pigeons soaring across a mountainous dreamscape. Expressive brushstrokes sweep through golden light and deep, moody hues, conjuring the joyful chaos of sky meeting land. Equally mesmerising is Wild Vines of the Cardamom, a decorative jacquard that unfurls in lustrous and matte textures, its flowing vines and alamanda flowers rendered with theatrical flair across four vibrant colourways. Originally snapped up at Bensley’s 2024 art auction, the design now lives anew in fabric, its layered detailing adding depth, drama and botanical romance.
Elsewhere, The Kouprey Velvet celebrates the endangered wild forest ox in jubilant loop-cut velvet, offering a richly tactile surface that balances rustic artistry with bold chromatic confidence. Meanwhile, Wild Wild Weave distils the untamed rhythm of the rainforest into chunky yarns and lively woven patterns, boasting an impressive 60,000 Martindale rubs alongside high-performance, inherently fire-retardant properties. Offered in 15 colourways ranging from hushed neutrals to exuberant brights, it is, as the designers describe, the unicorn of fabrics — equally at home in tropical resorts, alfresco sanctuaries and everyday living spaces.
Yet beneath the exuberant palette and luxurious textures lies a deeper purpose. A portion of proceeds from Wild will be donated to the Shinta Mani Foundation, supporting vital conservation and wildlife protection initiatives across the Cardamom rainforest. Established in 2004, the foundation acts as a guardian of this precious ecosystem, championing education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods and environmental preservation for local communities.
“We wanted to capture the unbridled energy of the jungle,” says Bensley. “This collection is about bringing the outdoors in, in the most colourful and spirited way possible — but with a serious purpose: preserving the very nature that inspired it. The Cardamom rainforest plays a critical role in regulating Southeast Asia’s climate and rainfall patterns, and its protection is essential.”
It is this balance of exuberance and ethics that gives Wild its emotional gravity. In an era increasingly defined by conscious consumption, the collection stands as a compelling example of design that does more than delight. It gives back. It protects. And it tells stories that matter. Through the Shinta Mani Foundation’s work, the collection contributes directly to safeguarding fragile ecosystems while empowering the communities that call them home — transforming luxury into a tool for meaningful change.
For Jim Thompson, whose heritage is deeply entwined with Thailand’s cultural and artistic revival, the collaboration feels both organic and poetic. Founded in 1951 by American architect and silk savant James H.W. Thompson, the brand has long championed craftsmanship, storytelling and bold design. Today, it stands as an iconic global lifestyle house, offering more than 3,000 textile and wallcovering designs across 50 countries, yet its soul remains firmly rooted in artistry, innovation and purpose.
Likewise, Bensley – the Bangkok-based creative atelier led by Bill Bensley and his partner Jirachai — is synonymous with imagination without boundaries. With more than 200 resorts, palaces and hotels brought to life across 30 countries, the studio’s ethos is guided by narrative, theatricality and playful irreverence. “If it’s no fun, don’t do it,” Bensley famously says — a mantra that pulses through every fibre of Wild, infusing the collection with joy, optimism and boundless creative energy.
Ultimately, Wild offers more than beautiful textiles. It invites us into a world where fabric becomes feeling, where pattern becomes purpose, and where interiors transcend decoration to become immersive storytelling environments. To draw back a curtain and glimpse birds in flight. To brush velvet oxen beneath your fingertips. And to sit amid tangled vines and luminous colour, surrounded by a landscape that feels at once fantastical and deeply real.
In Wild, Jim Thompson and Bill Bensley remind us that the most compelling design does not simply adorn our homes — it expands our imagination, deepens our empathy and reconnects us with the living world beyond our walls.
