Knock on wood: Prada enlists Martino Gamper for its S/S 2015 window concept
In a first for the Milanese fashion brand, Prada has enlisted an outside collaborator to mastermind its store window concept, also marking the inaugural fashion collaboration for Italian designer Martino Gamper. The joint debut, unveiled in Milan, will be rolled out to Prada's 300-plus family of stores worldwide.
Entitled 'Corners', the windows are designed as a celebration of the humble corner, while Gamper's work is part sculptural installation, part practical solution that draws viewers into the space forming a magnetic display for the collection and a dramatic sight for passers-by.
Since developing an in-depth study of corners during his time at the Royal College of Art, and dedicating his dissertation to the fruits of his research, many of Gamper's furniture pieces have been developed with the corner in mind. His wide-reaching portfolio includes the aptly titled 'Corner Shelf', 'Corner Speaker', 'Corner Lights', 'Corner Bench', plus several other items devoted to filling an angular space.
The windows' design riff on the boxy shapes and geometric detailing of Prada's S/S 2015 offering. And given the somewhat deconstructed nature of the collection, Gamper feels like a natural choice for the brand this season, with his raw finishes a beautiful complement to the clothes.
'The main idea was to play with perspective and geometry,' explains Gamper, whose brief included working with wood and creating a nature-inspired concept with a simplicity that would enhance the clothes, while displaying the complexity of the wood.
He selected oak, maple and ebony and combined them with marquetry techniques to convey the perception of the corner. The result is a flexible concept that can adapt to the full range of the brand's global displays, and that combines Prada's fashion sensitivity with Gamper's intellectual design language.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
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.
-
Bold maximalism engulfs The Lafayette Hotel and Club in San Diego
The Lafayette Hotel and Club, designed by Post Company, brings together a rich tapestry of patterns, themes and colours
By Dan Howarth Published
-
Miami Navigator: where to stay, eat, drink and shop in Florida's design-savvy maximalist metropolis
What to do in Miami, where ivory beaches and umbrella-clad caipirinhas share the stage with discerning galleries and global art and design fairs
By Annie Biziou Published
-
Fashionable Christmas baubles to accessorise this year’s tree, from Bottega Veneta to Loewe
Selected by the Wallpaper* style team, a gleaming array of Christmas baubles for fashion fans featuring fantastical designs from Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Prada and more
By Jack Moss Published
-
Scene-stealing runway sets from A/W 2022 menswear shows
A Kubrickian space odyssey at Prada; a recreation of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris at Dior; and colourful, artist-created flags at Loewe: explore the best runway sets from the A/W 2022 menswear shows
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Milan Fashion Week men's A/W 2022: Prada to Fendi
A Prada catwalk peppered with Hollywood stars; menswear's new erogenous zones and a modern take on classic silhouettes: all you need to know about Milan Fashion Week men's A/W 2022
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Milan Fashion Week A/W 2021: designers riff on romp and relaxation
Milan Fashion Week offered a wardrobe for life after lockdown, by brands including Fendi, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino and Giorgio Armani
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Fendi to Dior: A/W 2021’s standout menswear shows
Join us as we delight in the A/W 2021 menswear shows, featuring digital catwalk collections from brands including Fendi, Prada, Dior and Louis Vuitton
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons rove the digital realm for S/S 2021
‘Technology is a part of humanity itself’ said the duo of their live streamed S/S 2021 show
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Recapping Milan’s virtual mens fashion week
Themes of rebirth, re-emergence and reflection embodied the season's multimedia events
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Prada A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Men’s
By Dal Chodha Last updated
-
Prada S/S 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's
Miuccia Prada returns to simplicity for spring
By Laura Hawkins Last updated