Milan's Salone del Mobile in April was packed with fresh-out-of-the-factory products conceived by the world's best known designers and produced by the world's best known manufacturers. But even more arousing than the A-listers were the unknown talents making their Salone debuts for the first time. Here, we bring you our pick of 2012's best new brands...
The best new brands launched at the Salone del Mobile 2012
The best new brands launched at the Salone del Mobile 2012
Cabinet by Danish architect Børge Mogensen, reissued by Stellar Works and inlaid with a slashed-o character by font foundry House Industries
Stellar Works
Stellar Works is a new Shanghai-based furniture brand on a mission to bridge cultural divides. Launched locally at the end of 2011 and internationally at the Salone, its collections bring together the design heritage of its French and Japanese founders, with that of Danish design consultancy OeO (creative directed by former Wallpaper* interiors editor Thomas Lykke). The result is a beautifully made and cleverly detailed body of unique pieces. There are also some pleasing reissues, by Danish architects Børge Mogensen and Vilhelm Wohlert. Stellar Works has just opened its first shop in Shanghai, with another expected in Kyoto in June.
www.stellarworks.com
Writing desk by OeO, in collaboration with historic French furniture maker Laval, for Stellar Works
Nordic design and ‘Chinese poetry’ are melded in the Lunar collection by Space Cph for Stellar Works
‘Vito’ and ‘Donna’ chairs by Japanese designer Shuwa Tei for Stellar Works
'Last Stool' chairs by Max Lamb for Discipline
Discipline
Discipline, a new Italian design brand founded by Renato Preti, formerly of Skitsch, lassoed 14 designers from 10 countries to create furniture and accessories in natural materials including cork, bamboo, wood, glass and eco upholstering. The company debuted with an event and installation created by Rome-based Arabeschi di Latte in Milan.
www.discipline.eu
'Drifted' chairs by Lars Beller for Discipline
'Companion' lamps by SmithMatthias for Discipline
'Two Tone Chair' chairs by Ichiro Iwasaki for Discipline
'Tilt' ladder by SmithMatthias for Discipline
'Tag Stool' chairs by Ichiro Iwasaki for Discipline
'Pieces of Time' watch by Ding 3000 for Discipline
Dining chair by Jacob Pringiers for A Plus
A Plus
Already aiming for top grades with its name, A Plus launched with a refined collection, pieces of which have already somehow found their way into the Pringiers House in Sri Lanka by Ando Tadao (winner of the Wallpaper* Design Award for best private house). The premise behind the new label is to combine the best of Belgian and Italian design - a 'no nonsense' and comfortable design language that is elegant, harmonious and timeless.
www.aplus.lk
Dining chair by Jacob Pringiers for A Plus
'Magnum' dining table by Pierre Favresse for La Chance
La Chance
Two precocious entrepreneurs, Louise Breguet and Jean-Baptiste Souletie, have launched La Chance, a new French design company featuring the work of young international designers that debuted at MOST. Among the line-up are Pierre Favresse, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, Luca Nichetto, Note Design Studio and Jonah Takagi. The designs are all articulated in sober natural form, as well as a more colourful vibrant version. 'We're bored with plastic things and flashy stuff,' explains Souletie. 'And at the same time, we didn't want to conceptualise design. This is a commercial enterprise, not an art gallery.'
www.lachance.fr
'Tembo' stool by Note Design Studio for La Chance
'Bolt' stools by Note Design Studio for La Chance
'Rocky' credenza by Charles Kalpakian for La Chance
'Clew' rug and pouf by Sjoerd Jonkers for New Duivendrecht
New Duivendrecht
Amsterdam based designers Frederik Roijé and Victor le Noble launched New Duivendrecht in Milan with a dedicated focus on providing sustainable, affordable, high quality Dutch design. Assembling a new batch of up and coming Dutch design talents and a selection of Dutch manufacturers, the new company is named after an imaginary village - a place ‘where the beautiful and clever interior products are designed'.
www.newduivendrecht.com
'Hensen' chair by Kranen/ Gille for New Duivendrecht
'The Polar Lamp' lamps by Dave Keune for New Duivendrecht
'Light bowl' candelebra and fruitbowl by Tweelink for New Duivendrecht
'Cot' day bed by Alexander May for Nilufar Unlimited
Nilufar Unlimited
Though Nilufar is one of Milan’s best known limited edition design galleries, owner Nina Yashar has now partnered with Giancarlo Montebello to offer a series of reproducible objects for the first time. Titled ‘Unlimited.com’, the project features the work of architects, designers and visual artists, all of which are available online.
Unlimited.nilufar.com
'Cot' day bed by Alexander May for Nilufar Unlimited
Wallpaper by Das Institut for Nilufar Unlimited
'Tree in the Moonlight' light by Michael Anastassiades for Nilufar Unlimited
'Postmundus' chair by Martino Gamper for Nilufar Unlimited
'Lacquered Paper-Pots' containers by Nendo for Nilufar Unlimited
'Histogram' coffee tables by Nucleo for Nilufar Unlimited
'Nido' light by Paola Petrobelli for Nilufar Unlimited
'Transitory Bookshelf' by Robert Stadler for Nilufar Unlimited
'Frame' seat by Florian Hauswirth for Stattmann Neue Moebel
Stattmann Neue Moebel
Stattman Neue Moebel is a new wood-based furniture company launched by fourth generation cabinetmakers Nicola and Oliver Stattmann. The Ascheberg based siblings tapped two young design teams to work exclusively with local wood for two chairs and two shelving units. The duo’s concept is to keep prices low and to distribute the product themselves via e-commerce.
Stattmann-neuemoebel.com
Photography: Pixelgarten, Frankfurt
'Frame' seat by Florian Hauswirth for Stattmann Neue Moebel
'Plug' shelf by Steffen Kehrle for Stattmann Neue Mobel
'Plug' shelf by Steffen Kehrle for Stattmann Neue Mobel
'Profile' chair by Slyvain Willenz for Stattmann Neue Mobel
'Unit' shelf by Marina Bautier for Stattmann Neue Mobel
'Wooden bowl 08' by Usuals
Usuals
Another hot new label from the flatlands is Usuals, a collaboration between Niels Van Eijk and Miriam Van der Lubbe. The new products and accessories are sold directly through the website, keeping prices reasonable and also allowing the designers to better connect with their customers. All the products come complete with inspiring stories, told with production details and sketches via pictures and film online.
www.usuals.nl
'Me and My Beretta' shoulder bag by Usuals
Whiteboard T-shirt by Usuals
'Golden Dirt' cup and saucer by Usuals
Teapot by Usuals
'Melt' chair by K%
K%
The ultra prolific Wallpaper* Design Award winner Nendo launched its first collection as art director of new brand K% - a body of work that it has approached with the same exacting standards and clean design aesthetic as it does all its output. With contributions also from Singaporean designers Studio Juju and Exit Design, the ‘Black & Black’ collection is – in case you didn’t get it – all in black, so that nothing detracts from its sleek forms.
www.kpercent.com
'Tilt' table by K%
'Scissors' by K%
'Heavy' by K%
'Gather' by K%
'Corners' by K%
'Brace' by K%
'Weave' by K%
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