Droog launches ’The New Original’ in Guangzhou, China

Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Thank you for signing up to Wallpaper. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, China has become master of sweet-talk, studying its neighbours' design innovations and tweaking them for its own discerning population. Now the innovative Dutch design outfit Droog has turned the tables with a new collection that pirates the pirates.
The practice recently launched 26 new pieces for the home, each of them indebted to classic Chinese design yet spun in a new and creative way. From a squat clay teapot that plays on traditional contours to a witty take on the fish tank, each 'New Original' improves upon the archetype, either in form, usability or simply the message it sends to the world. Replication, they seem to say, can actually be a driver for innovation.
The role-reversal was first proposed by Droog Lab, Droog's in-house think tank. Enlisting Chinese architects Urbanus, Hong Kong graphic designer Stanley Wong and Dutch designers Richard Hutten and the late Ed Annink, the Lab led a field trip to Shenzhen, hub of China's so-called copycat culture. In that environment the team studied the local design heritage while also surveying the modern approach to development.
The results go far towards alleviating the stigma of the copycat label while enabling a fresh appreciation to time-honoured products. Taking the theme one step further, the designers chose to exhibit the collection at the Zhen Jia shopping mall in Guangzhou, a neighbour of Shenzhen, where the original copycats can learn about us learning about them.
The vases pay homage to China's long history of porcelain-making, yet have a thoroughly modern appearance
The Dutch design outfit also invited Dutch in on the project. He came back with a design for 'Tea Pot', which replaces the traditional teapot handle with a more ergonomic version in Chinese red
Taking the theme one step further, the designers chose to unveil the new collection at the Zhen Jia shopping mall in Guangzhou, a neighbour of Shenzhen, the copycat 'hub' of China
The results of Droog's 'The New Original' project go far towards alleviating the stigma of the archetypal copycat label while enabling a fresh appreciation to time-honoured products
Turning the archetypal Chinese restaurant inside out, 'Fish Tank' sees miniature versions of typical dining furniture arranged inside a fish tank, a ubiquitous design element in Chinese restaurants
A pair of 3D-printed 'Lantern Lightbulbs' by Studio Droog hang over the New Original collection showcase at Zhen Jia shopping mall
ADDRESS
Hi space
Zhen Jia shopping mall
4th floor, No 228
Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Freddy Mamani on Neo-Andean architecture at The World Around 2023 conference
We catch up with Bolivian architect Freddy Mamani at The World Around 2023 conference in Milan, to talk about Neo-Andean architecture and his latest project, el Crucero de los Andes
By Laura May Todd Published
-
Rose Tarlow and Perennials present a second collaborative collection of fabrics and rugs
Perennials by Rose Tarlow features eight textiles and four rug designs that nod to the English countryside with a quiet colour palette and subtle, abstract geometries
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
50 years of Agape: exploring five decades of innovative bathroom design
Italian bathroom brand Agape turns 50, and founders Emanuele and Giampaolo Benedini celebrate with an exhibition looking back at their personal and professional journey
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Highlights from Design Shanghai 2023: ‘Now is the golden age of Chinese design’
Our Design Shanghai 2023 highlights, from leading Chinese designers and brands to emerging creatives
By Laura May Todd Published
-
Droog toasts 30 years of irreverent design
Dutch design collective Droog presents an exhibition at Triennale during Milan Design Week 2023, curated by Maria Cristina Didero and Richard Hutten and celebrating its 30th anniversary
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Shanghai’s MMR Studio is inspired by industrial processes and materials
Chinese designer Zhang Zhongyu of MMR Studio is inspired by industrial processes to create furniture and objects
By Yoko Choy Published
-
Hong Kong art scene expands its reach
Beyond fairs, museums and galleries, Hong Kong’s burgeoning art scene is influencing its bars, restaurants and hotels
By Simon Mills Last updated
-
Four Hong Kong crafts embracing the future
Hong Kong has a rich craft tradition. Meet four artisans preserving historic crafts and updating them for the 21st century in unexpected ways
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
The pared-back designs of Mario Tsai
Mario Tsai – named by Nendo’s Oki Sato as a creative leader of the future for Wallpaper’s 25th Anniversary Issue ‘5x5’ project – talks about his experience working as a designer and entrepreneur in China, at the cusp of innovation and tradition
By Yoko Choy Last updated
-
World View: Letter from Hong Kong
The World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with contributors around the world, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. In Hong Kong, design leaders Michael Young, Joyce Wang, André Fu, Marisa Yiu and Adrian Cheng are turning to new approaches and philosophies for the times ahead, writes our commissioning editor TF Chan.
By TF Chan Last updated
-
Making it: with a thriving ‘maker’ culture, Shenzhen is becoming a creative capital of China
By Karta Healy Last updated