An exclusive look at Marcel Wanders’s collection for Natuzzi

Barrow Table by Marcel Wanders for Natuzzi — Barrow table from the Agronomist collection

(Image credit: Marcel Wanders)

When Marcel Wanders started describing the serene southern Italian landscape of Puglia to Wallpaper*, he was also painting a clear picture of what he is about to debut: a new furniture collection for Natuzzi at Salone del Mobile. With vivid descriptions of its rural and coastal charms; oak forests, olive groves and the Adriatic Sea, it was like he was taking us on a scenic journey, one that ends with two contrasting collections.

Pasquale Junior Natuzzi, chief marketing and communication officer at Natuzzi, describes the launch as ‘the third Natuzzian revolution.’ One where designers get immersed in the Italian brand’s vision, heritage and for this particular collection, the landscape of its home. Wanders interprets Puglia’s inherent and unique quality, one that divides it from the rest of Italy: ‘this area is where the land marries the sea,’ he says.

This is the synergy that unites the two quite different collections, named ‘Oceanographer’ and ‘Agronomist’. ‘The first noticeable difference between the collections is their colour palettes,’ says Gabriele Chiave, creative director of Marcel Wanders studio. ‘The “Agronomist” works with a richer palette exuding ‘the feel and emotion of organic, outdoor elements,’ he continues. ‘Oceanographer’, as the title suggests, takes an aquatic turn. ‘[It is] nautical and refreshing, these pieces reflect the tranquil blue shades of water and the sea’s eternal undulation’.

On our journey through the collections, Wanders specifies where some of these palettes derive from, ‘much of the pieces are reminiscent of the white houses of Ostuni, the blonde terracotta amphorae and the grey stone of the trulli houses.’ These are seen in earthy tones in the ‘Silo’ vase, minimalist ‘Barrow’ table, and hero piece, the curvaceous leather Furrow sofa.

It is not just the colours of the collection that nod to the region, but the shapes too. ‘Both of the collections are designed with the curved and contoured angles of the Puglian environment’s elements,’ adds Chiave. Studying Wanders’ mood board of sketches for the range, this geometrical stance is another element that brings together the land and sea collections.

Wanders not only embraces the environment with the collections, but the brand’s entire universe. ‘When I saw him at work with our creatives and craftsmen, I immediately realised that we would achieve something unique, sensational and sensual,’ says Natuzzi.

‘Everything outside made its way into these collections’ Wanders muses, ‘design, on average, is an urban culture. These collections are inspired by water and an expansive countryside, and therefore, the materials are warmer.’

Moodboard sketches of Marcel Wander&rsquo;s collection for Natuzzi — Moodboard sketches of Marcel Wander’s collection for Natuzzi

Furrow Sofa by Marcel Wanders for Natuzzi — Furrow Sofa from the Agronomist collection

Silo Vases by Marcel Wanders for Natuzzi — Silo vases from the Agronomist collection

INFORMATION

Salone del Mobile runs from 17-22 April. For more information visit the Natuzzi website

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.