Martin Margiela launches home collection
MILAN — For anyone intrigued with or involved in the world of furniture and home design, the trade fair, Salone Internazionale del Mobile, held annually is akin to any devout pilgrim’s trip to Mecca.
Salone is where all decorative art fanatics congregate to view and feast their eyes on the latest and greatest offerings of both esteemed and emerging designers.
This year, Salone’s online and print devotees were all abuzz with the debut of Maison Martin Margiela’s home collection dubbed “Mat, Satiné, Brillant” (Matte, Satin, Shiny).
Andreas Kokkino, T Magazine’s design market editor, sent this Tweet from Milan: “Maison Martin Margiela previews its first home line in the hip Tortona district. White paint, slip covers and irony abound.”
The exhibit reproduced the sartorial savant’s interior design workshop in Paris — characteristically devoid of all color — in a 180-square-meter space with most of the furniture covered in the house’s signature white muslin. Nary a ketchup bottle or phone was spared. The installation also reflected elements of Margiela stores and showrooms worldwide.
Prototypes of trompe l’oeil wallpaper, stickers, paneled doors and rugs, wall lights, case goods and other furnishings were laid out in the original and exact position of all items in the Paris headquarters.
“Line 13” classics such as bottle lamps, white cushions, Russian dolls, feather pens also filled the space.
A duplicate pyramid of plastic champagne glasses from the LA store and the new Margiela souvenir snowballs were showcased in one corner of the display.
Elsewhere in the exhibit, a table presented mock-ups of present projects: stores in Hong Kong, Omotesando, LA, Munich and Dubai, a car cover made for Alfa Romeo, the Paris HQ press showroom, and the birthday cake model used for the Maison’s 20th anniversary fashion show finale.
Glaring exceptions to Margiela’s signature style of all-white were black or dark green recycled wine bottles repurposed into lamps, and a coffee table made from various magazines.
A chair that was transmogrified into a swing, 13-meter-long cotton covered chairs, and a calendar made of crisp white cotton sheets (which may be recycled as napkins) stood out as well.
Best known for his esoteric design style, with this new collection, Margiela did not disappoint. His cult-like following of discerning clientele with a penchant for the discreet will definitely fall head-over-heels with the créateur all over again.
The product line bears his stamp of simplicity and his distinct outré elements like “the use of diversion, mix of styles and époque, and hints of humor creating a unique atmosphere and ambiance.”
Urban Lifestyle Décor blogger, Susan Rapp declares this type of minimalist open space and pure white laid-back lifestyle as “less is the new more.”
In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, the Maison’s CEO Giovanni Pungetti reveals, The project is still a work in progress and will likely range from the design of objects and furniture in a self-produced collection or in the development of one-off partnerships. The company will also do commissions for individuals or public interior design and architecture.
“There are no limits,” said the executive, referring to potential collaborations with hotels and restaurants. “This installation is a visual stimulus, from fashion to lifestyle and atmosphere.”
Items are expected to be in production and sold in the brand’s stores or showrooms in 2010. The exhibit at this year’s Salone was just a teaser. And tease it did.
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For more information, go to www.maisonmartinmargiela.com.
