Hermès celebrates the materiality of earth in theatrical Milan Design Week 2024 spectacle
The Topography of Material is Hermès Milan Design Week 2024 display at La Pelota, focused on an installation exploring the materiality of earth and celebrating new and archival objects
Entering Hermès' presentation at Milan Design Week 2024 is a mystical experience: the expansive darkness of the space doesn't suggest any product displays, instead anchoring the guests' vision to the floor, created as a showcase of sixteen different traditional flooring patterns in hues of greys, browns and reds.
The Topography of Material by Hermès at La Pelota
The installation references the timelessness of Hermès' collections, 'inviting you to step out of time while keeping your feet on the ground,' and the display, reads a note from the brand, 'aims to create a dialogue between roots and movement, between materials and know-how.'
The materials forming the traditional flooring patterns come from ancient Italian traditions and were sourced from across the country to reflect the ancestral knowledge of specialised local crafts. They include reclaimed wood from Lombardy, cracked earth, Porphyry from Trentino, terracotta arranged in half-moon shaped patterns, green ware (22,000 pieces of it), limestone from Puglia paired with pebbled Carrara Marble.
Walking across the bridges that separate the different motifs is a meditative experience, a moment of connection with the earth and the world around us, and a welcome pause from the bustling design week outside.
Meanwhile Hermès creations are hidden behind a wall, an illuminated slit in the back wall suggesting the displays and guiding visitors to the discreet corridor, where iconic objects are shown alongside new designs and pieces from the past few years (from Tomas Alonso Coulisse paper lamp to Studio Mumbai's Lignage d'Hermès stone table). New blankets in rich hues and patchwork-like patterns are presented alongside 1960s silk jock outfits, adding a touch of visual humour to the display.
The showcase aims at drawing bridges between Hermès' contemporary language and its history, each object from the most recent collections presented alongside a piece from the past (dating as far back as the 1930s) to discreetly demonstrate how the maison's collections have always followed a precise set of influences and techniques.
The Topography of Material by Hermès is on view during Milan Design Week 2024
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
La Pelota
Via Palermo, 10
20121 Milano
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
First look: Vyrao’s latest neuroscientific fragrance bottles the grounding effect of a digital detox
Vyrao’s earthy new fragrance ‘Mamajuju’ provides sensory respite from screen time. Lara Johnson-Wheeler speaks with brand founder Yasmin Sewell for a Wallpaper* preview
By Lara Johnson-Wheeler Published
-
Kengo Kuma’s new Kyoto hotel is ‘a sanctuary of ethereal beauty’
A former ryokan inn, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto offers onsen rooms equipped with natural hot spring water, and a contemporary take on a Noh theatre
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Frieze London 2024: everything to see and do
As London gears up for Frieze Week (7-13 October 2024), here are the must-sees inside and outside the fair
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
Design showcase Alcova announces its 2025 locations in Milan
Alcova, the roving design exhibition, will expand its footprint with two new locations in the northern Milan suburb of Varedo – a former factory and ancient greenhouses
By Laura May Todd Published
-
Elevate your interiors with Wallpaper* July 2024, the Design Directory
Wallpaper* July 2024 rounds up the best new furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms and more – on sale now
By Bill Prince Published
-
Casa Mutina displays Ronan Bouroullec's creative universe
Ronan Bouroullec's designs for Mutina at Milan Design Week 2024 include outdoor tiles as well as ceramic editions
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Jaipur Rugs unveils collaboration with Chanel's yarn maker Vimar1991
During Milan Design Week 2024, Jaipur Rugs demonstrated its expertise through a collaboration with Chanel-owned yarn experts Vimar1991
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Wallpaper* and SNOW explore the alchemy of grown diamonds in a new film
Wallpaper* and grown-diamond specialist SNOW partnered on the Class of ’24 exhibition during Milan Design Week 2024 and a new film exploring the art and alchemy of the laboratory’s process
By Simon Mills Published
-
Adal brings Japan's disappearing natural materials to furniture design
Japanese brand Adal Look into Nature exhibited for the first time at Salone del Mobile 2024, showcasing its contemporary products made using igusa, a traditional material whose manufacturing is slowly disappearing
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Toiletpaper Apartment debuts in Milan with a 'sophisticated' Alex Prager collaboration
Toiletpaper present 'ToiletAlex PaperPrager' their new unsettling projects on the occasion of Milan Design Week 2024
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Japan in Milan: the best of Japanese design at Milan Design Week 2024
Discover the best of Japanese design showcasing innovative designs from terrazzo tables to tree-inspired textiles at Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile 2024
By Danielle Demetriou Published