Tom Dixon’s first technology collection with Native Union is inspired by vintage gadgets
Tom Dixon and his eponymous brand are particularly busy of late, with the new Kings Cross HQ, plus innovative projects for London Design Festival and the relocation of his New York flagship earlier this year. Now, Dixon's ticked something else off the to-design list, by jumping into a world he's been threatening to enter for years: technology. And its got a touch of old-school discotheque Dixon about it.
For The Stash Collection of charging devices and cables, Dixon sought the help of innovative tech-lifestyle brand Native Union. It's a first for the Hong Kong-based brand too: though Native Union has partnered with brand's before (STAMPD, Berluti and La Boite), this collection marks the first time it has collaborated with a design firm.
The collection is billed as ‘an artisanal statement series of chargers for the home and on the go’. From the wireless charging tray, dome cable, cone cable and coil cable, expect expertly designed efficiency. Textured aluminum casings, stainless steel cable sleeves and glass-finishing work in unison to create an accomplished series of performance-centric designs. What might seem quite an incumbent object, (like a Compact USB-A to Lightning cable) has been turned into an objet d'art.
Inside, everything has the Native Union seal of approval – and these guys know their tech. Founders John Brunner and Igor Duc have been offering personality-filled alternatives to clunky accessories since 2009, to great critical acclaim and a growing global fan base. Outside, the range is slicked with Dixon's design dialect, (think moody colours, sculptural qualities and engineered materials). For inspiration, he opted for a retrospective take on utility, beginning with a study of vintage performance-built analogue equipment. ‘In returning to the core function of the product, The Stash Collection reflects Native Union's simple yet intelligent design philosophy,' comments Duc. The hook? ‘Tom Dixon's effortlessly superior aesthetics.’
Dixon loves to create worlds (like in his new London restaurant, which has his signature all over it, from the cutlery to the hand soap). Similarly, this collection creates a universe of tech products that work in harmony, and chime together aesthetically. We can quite picture avid TD fans buying the job lot.
INFORMATION
Produced in brushed silver and brushed black metal, The Stash Collection will be available to purchase from the Native Union website and the Tom Dixon website and stores from 15 October 2018
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Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
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