Paul Smith partners with Boffi | DePadova on a colour-soaked collection
The design signatures of Paul Smith and Boffi | DePadova unite in ‘Everyday Life’, a wide-ranging ‘homage to craftmanship’ that comprises colourful sofas, armchairs, coffee tables and more
Deft use of colour has long defined the work of British fashion designer Paul Smith, who this month unites with Boffi | DePadova on a collaborative collection – debuting at Salone del Mobile 2022 – comprising artisanal sofas, armchairs, poufs, coffee tables, blankets, benches and trays.
Earthy shades of ecru and brick red meet bolder swathes of peacock green and deep midnight blue across the sustainably minded collaboration, alongside vivid flashes of lime green – a colour distinct to Paul Smith, and the collection’s ‘hero hue’.
Beginning with the designer’s guiding phrase, ‘you can find inspiration in everything’, these colours enliven an otherwise clean-lined collection titled ‘Everyday Life’, which melds comfortable, understated design with luxury materials and playful details – much like Smith’s own clothing collections. ‘An homage to the value of craftsmanship,’ say Paul Smith and Boffi | DePadova of the collaboration.
The fabrics include sustainable and low-impact hemp, kapok (naturally organic, hypoallergenic and insulating) and recycled feathers, while dark oak, leather and marble provide the collection’s structure. ‘The juxtaposition of wood and stone references Paul’s love of the unexpected,’ say the accompanying notes.
Elsewhere, references to the history of Smith’s eponymous label appear throughout: ‘Punto Cavallo’ stitches are a nod to the designer’s tailoring heritage, while contrast zig-zag and cross-stitching in various hues recall the Paul Smith ‘Signature Stripe’ (the recognisable design is finding renewed life in recent months, appearing in the brand’s advertising campaigns and across dedicated mens- and womenswear collections).
‘I have total and absolute respect for DePadova and its history, to which many design heroes of mine have contributed,’ says Smith. ‘I admire the uncompromising quality and functional aesthetics, so my touch is tucked in subtle and not so obvious details that present classic in a new light.’
Roberto Gavazzi, Boffi | DePadova CEO, adds: ‘Paul Smith is unique in the fashion world, with his distinctive style that has been able to stand out over time. We admire the way the colours reveal themselves in his creations with a surprise effect, and this is the spirit we wanted to bring to the collection.’
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
INFORMATION
paulsmith.com
boffidepadova.com
ADDRESS
De Padova Santa Cecilia
Via Santa Cecilia, 7
Milano
Jack Moss is the Fashion Features Editor at Wallpaper*, joining the team in 2022. Having previously been the digital features editor at AnOther and digital editor at 10 and 10 Men magazines, he has also contributed to titles including i-D, Dazed, 10 Magazine, Mr Porter’s The Journal and more, while also featuring in Dazed: 32 Years Confused: The Covers, published by Rizzoli. He is particularly interested in the moments when fashion intersects with other creative disciplines – notably art and design – as well as championing a new generation of international talent and reporting from international fashion weeks. Across his career, he has interviewed the fashion industry’s leading figures, including Rick Owens, Pieter Mulier, Jonathan Anderson, Grace Wales Bonner, Christian Lacroix, Kate Moss and Manolo Blahnik.
-
AtArchitecture on narratives, uplifting spaces and their search for 'beauty and meaning'
Mumbai's AtArchitecture discusses its methods, ethos and hopes for India's architecture through its portfolio and search for 'beauty and meaning'
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Samuel Ross on working with Hublot: ‘A rhythm has been established’
As Samuel Ross and Hublot unveil the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon SR_A watch, Ross tells us what inspired the design
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Flack Studio and Volker Haug's lighting collection makes its Australian debut with a showroom refresh
The ‘Me and You’ lighting collection by Volker Haug Studio and Flack Studio launches in Australia with six new additions and a Melbourne showroom revamp
By Ali Morris Published
-
Faye Toogood brings new life to Matisse’s legacy
Milan Design Week 2023: tapped by Maison Matisse, the London-based designer has taken inspiration from the French master’s forms to create a collection of heirloom-worthy objects
By Sam Rogers Published
-
Prada Frames 2023: Milan programme announced
Programme announced for Prada Frames 2023 at Milan Design Week, the annual symposium curated by Formafantasma at Luigi Caccia Dominioni's Teatro Filodrammatici from 17 to 19 April
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Alessi Occasional Objects: Virgil Abloh’s take on cutlery
Best Cross Pollination: Alessi's cutlery by the late designer Virgil Abloh, in collaboration with his London studio Alaska Alaska, is awarded at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2023
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Salone del Mobile 2023: highlights from Milan Design Week
In pictures: our highlights from Milan Design Week, held during the 61st Salone del Mobile 2023 (18-23 April)
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
USM launches blushing pink limited edition of its modular furniture
Following an installation during Milan Design Week 2022, USM launches a new pink limited edition of its Haller range
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
‘You don't want space; you want to fill it’: Milan exhibition
Making its debut during Milan Design Week 2022 at Marsèll Paradise, a new exhibition by Matylda Krzykowski, explores how we approach the space we live in (until 15 July 2022)
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Last updated
-
Men’s mental health takes centre stage at an art and design exhibition by Tableau
‘Confessions’, which travels to Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design following its debut at Milan Design Week 2022, features commissioned work by 14 male artists, designers and architects, reflecting on toxic masculinity, vulnerability and mental health
By TF Chan Last updated
-
Salone del Mobile 2022: highlights from Milan Design Week
In pictures: our highlights from Milan Design Week 2022, held during the 60th edition of Salone del Mobile (7 – 12 June 2022)
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated