A thoughtful selection of the latest lifestyle and design news, plus the creatives who are championing boundary-breaking fashion
Photography courtesy of &Tradition
1. Massif by Anderssen & Voll for &Tradition
With its name being the French translation for a mass of mountain peaks, the Norwegian design duo felt inspired by the natural landscape when creating the Massif bar stool for Danish design house &Tradition. With its angular form and structured base giving it a sense of stability and strength, the vertical legs and elliptical seat and base combine to create a statuesque statement that works in both classic and contemporary settings.
Designed in three colour variants, the stool is also offered in two heights – a feature that alludes to the undulating silhouettes of mountainous regions. ‘With the name Massif derived from the solid, totem-like expression throughout the object, there is also something about the elevated discs that make us think of mountain plateaus,’ explains Espen Voll.
The stool’s uniformity also makes it applicable to home, workplace and hospitality interiors. Be it a restaurant bar or kitchen counter, the oak seat and powder coated steel footrest exude sophistication while bringing an inherent practicality to the space. ‘The initial idea sprung from an ongoing barstool study in our studio, looking for new and strong shapes while ensuring both the seat and footrest were equally represented,’ says Torbjørn Anderssen.
‘There is a wide disc which supplies foot support – almost like we’ve raised a section of the floor and put it on four legs.’ Paying homage to the design sensibility of the Oslo-based studio, this collaboration showcases the beautiful results that occur when function and form seamlessly blend together. And, with the festive season soon to be upon us, these captivating stools provide handy seating options for larger groups of guests.
Photography by Mikael Niemi
2. Pelata by Finnish Design Shop
To mark its 20th anniversary, Finnish Design Shop is bringing the fun back to functionality with Pelata, a whimsical collection of sculptural games and objects designed in collaboration with some of Scandinavia’s most celebrated studios. Unveiled during this year’s Helsinki Design Week, Pelata – the Finnish word for ‘play’ – reimagines familiar games, such as labyrinths, backgammon and ring toss, for the next generation.
Bringing together the creative minds of Anderssen & Voll and TAF Studio, alongside Studio Tolvanen and Kaksikko, it celebrates the joy of the everyday. ‘We wanted to create something that blends seamlessly into your home but still sparks conversation,’ says Teemu Kiiski, CEO of the Finnish Design Shop.
In an era where design often hides behind glass or is displayed on a plinth for admiration, Pelata actively invites interaction and challenges the boundaries between object and art. For instance, TAF Studio’s backgammon board game doubles as an elegant serving tray, Huippa by Kaksikko is a modern take on the classic ring toss, while Metsäpallo, a forest-inspired bowling game by Studio Tolvanen, nods to the Finns’ connection to nature.
With each piece, the collection honours local materials and Nordic craftsmanship, while embracing the joyful simplicity of play. These aren’t just games; they’re conversation starters, the sort of pieces you leave on display to bring family and friends together for a good time. Striking a perfect balance between tradition and modernity, with the launch of Pelata, Finnish Design Shop turns ordinary moments into unforgettable ones. So, this holiday season, get ready to roll up your sleeves and let the games begin!
Photography by Alecio Ferrari
3. Snoopy by Flos
When it comes to mid-century modern design, few objects capture joy and function as effortlessly as Snoopy. First created in 1967 by the Castiglioni brothers, Achille and Pier Giacomo, the lamp is a masterclass in design. Drawing inspiration from the much-loved dog of Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip, the brothers created a design that is as functional as it is fun. With its rounded form, a cylindrical base made from white Carrara marble and a glossy aluminium shade, Snoopy embodies both a sense of levity and timelessness.
Over the decades, Italian lighting powerhouse Flos has honoured this legacy. While the original black shade remains a classic, Flos has introduced new iterations over the years, including carefully selected shades like orange, green and, most recently, navy blue. To achieve this, Flos looked to the Castiglioni’s boldly coloured, cult favourite Schuko lamp, created in 1966, and selected the hues with an almost archival reverence.
Snoopy’s impact extends beyond its initial release. It has graced various exhibitions and is now displayed in the permanent collections of the world’s most prestigious museums, including MoMA in New York City. Far more than a nostalgic nod to a cartoon, Snoopy is a piece that shows why great design needn’t take itself too seriously.
Photography by Beppe Bordel
4. Alessi Tales
In a delightful twist of creativity, Alessi’s iconic corkscrews – Anna G. and Alessandro M. – have found themselves reimagined with vibrant new identities. Three renowned figures across fashion, design and art celebrate the anniversary of Alessandro Medini’s beloved designs.
The Italian design house is no stranger to playfulness. To honour three decades of Anna G. and nearly ten years of Alessandro M., Alessi invited fashion designer Arthur Arbesser, graphic visionaries Studio/Temp and artist Fulvia Mendini to breathe new life into these cherished figures.
Each creative added a fresh new twist to the iconic pieces and experimented with bold new palettes and structures, made possible by AlkiPaper. This innovative, biocomposite material delivers a textural and biodegradable alternative to traditional plastics, lending structural reinvention to Alessi’s much loved corkscrews.
Photography courtesy of Bottega Veneta featuring the brand’s latest fanzine
5. Fanzine by Bottega Veneta
Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta has launched the fifth edition of its coveted, limited-edition fanzine. Revealed alongside the brand’s Winter ‘24 collection, the book—which is available free-of-charge at Bottega Veneta stores around the world—offers readers a backstage pass into the label’s creative universe.
More than just a glossy look book, the fanzine aims to be a celebration of collaboration, inspiration and artistry, offering fans an insight into the creative world of Bottega Veneta’s Creative Director Matthieu Blazy. Available in several eye-catching covers, the fanzine features campaign photography by Alec Soth shot against the breathtaking landscapes of Utah and Nevada.
Photography courtesy of Bottega Veneta featuring the brand’s latest fanzine
Plus, readers can expect behind-the-scenes shots from the shoot, a flashback to the brand’s On the Rocks installation from Milan Design Week, alongside exciting artist collaborations. A beautiful and creative scrapbook of creativity, it features the works from talents like Lithuanian photographer Vytautas Kumza and Detroit-born collage artist Judy Bowman—it’s a conversation starter for design and fashion enthusiasts where every page invites readers to join in on the conversation.
What’s more, the fanzine comes with a postcard set featuring more of Soth’s atmospheric shots, as well as an embroidered patch that nods to the folklore of Utah’s deserts. Tucked inside a slipcase designed to mimic the charred wood flooring of Bottega Veneta’s Winter ’24 show space, the fanzine is bound to appeal to collectors and fans. Grab one before it’s gone.
Photography courtesy of Buchanan Studio
6. The Studio Collection by Buchanan Studio
Buchanan Studio, a London-based firm led by husband-and-wife Angus and Charlotte Buchanan, works across disciplines. Showing why the studio’s creativity knows no bounds, the pair brings imagination, eclecticism and a distinct aesthetic to their designs, which span commercial and residential interiors, event and set design, creative and art direction, alongside furniture offerings.
Now, Buchanan Studio is adding new additions to its Studio Collection, first launched in 2021, with the introduction of additional Studio Chair fabrics and materials alongside the debut of the Studio Footstool. A testament to the studio’s vision, their latest endeavour reflects the couple’s well-honed taste and meticulous attention to detail.
Handmade in England, with an emphasis on supporting local makers and time-honoured craftsmanship, each piece embodies the studio’s unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. Fusing traditional and modern influences with theatrical flourishes of colour and pattern, the Studio Collection is set to bloom this summer with these thoughtful new additions.
Photography courtesy of ©︎ ISSEY MIYAKE INC
7. Creative Session by Homme Plissé Issey Miyake and Ronan Bouroullec
Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, the high-concept, minimalist brand loved by fashion-forward architects and art enthusiasts alike, is launching a collaborative project, entitled Creative Session, with French artist and designer Ronan Bouroullec on Monday, 5th August, in the UK. Further items from this Creative Session will launch in October and November 2024.
The brand’s Autumn Winter 2024/2025 collection, Immersed in the Wilds of Creativity, was first presented in January 2024 at Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Exploring the translation of creative material into clothing design, the collection aims to look at the relationship between a concept and its actual realisation.
Bouroullec’s expressive, abstract drawings serve as the inspiration for Creative Session, where his perfect balance of colour, line and form is beautifully integrated with Issey Miyake’s signature pleated fabric. First launched in 1993 as his Pleats Please line, the Japanese designer – who sadly died in 2022 – had developed an innovative garment pleating process, crowning him the king of pleats.
Translating the white space of the original artwork into the form of a garment, Bouroullec applied vivid colours and delicate brushwork on a range of easy-to-wear pieces – from the geometric RB_DRAWING COAT poncho reflecting the liveliness of Bouroullec’s original work, to the playful designs of RB_DRAWING PRESS SHIRT, the new collection brings punchy colours and freedom of movement in true Issey Miyake style.
Photography courtesy of Tom Dixon
8. Plump Sofa by Tom Dixon
As part of Tom Dixon’s AW24 furniture and lighting collections, the British design brand is introducing for the very first time, two new sofa systems: Plump and Fat. Finding its design cues in the Chesterfield, a traditional English typology that has remained a British classic for centuries, Tom Dixon has added a contemporary spin to a British design icon with his Plump sofa range.
Imbuing the sofa with a modern essence, Tom Dixon stripped away ornamental details and focused solely on the essentials to create a fully modular system, which allows for endless configurations, adapting to various needs and spaces.
Made from FSC-certified mix timber sourced from forests in Europe with responsible management that reduces deforestation and ensures the forests’ future preservation, Plump features rounded arms and curves in all the right places to enhance comfort. Plus, both Plump and Fat are available in over 200 different upholstery options, giving customers additional options to craft a truly personalised piece.
Photography courtesy of Hunza G and Smythson
9. Hunza G x Smythson
Transport yourself to the sunny Mediterranean with the newly unveiled Hunza G and Smythson bespoke notebooks. Marking the London-based swimwear label’s 40th anniversary, the brand joined forces with Smythson on a vibrant collection of iconic Chelsea notebooks, perfect for summer journaling or documenting personal adventures.
Bound by a shared heritage and a penchant for travel, the collaboration comprises three bespoke notebooks with a splash of cheerful summer colours we can’t get enough of – Bubblegum, Lime, and Orange. The bold palette is reminiscent of signature Hunza G Original CrinkleTM colours and pays homage to summer landscapes and blissful vacations.
Handcrafted in leather, each Chelsea notebook features a gold-stamped, vacation-inspired phrase – Project Sunshine, Making Waves and The Hot List – to evoke nostalgia and playfulness. A functional companion to capture your thoughts, ideas, and creative inspirations throughout a life well-travelled, these notebooks promise to stand the test of time while also evoking the feeling of a breezy summer day.
Photography courtesy of Gustaf Westman
10. Spiky Cup by Gustaf Westman
For Gustaf Westman Objects, design is synonymous with colour. Since founding his Stockholm-based, globally minded studio in 2020, Westman’s series of quirky, not-so-quiet designs, have added a burst of colour to interior spaces. From ceramics to glassware and bespoke furniture, Westman draws on his architectural background and interest in Swedish pop culture, art and fashion to create visual interest and challenge the boundaries of pottery, glass and design.
‘I think the design processes I learned in architecture school reflect in the design language of my pieces,’ shares Westman. ‘I am interested in the shape, colour and concept of design. For instance, the Spiky Cup is somehow very childish and cute, but then adding spikes creates tension and contrast.’
Not afraid of turning the classic Scandinavian aesthetic on its head, his namesake label presents bright and daring colour palettes, chubby plates and chunky tableware that’s all made to order and produced in Sweden with local craftspeople to support a more sustainable production process. ‘The colours I choose to work with often give more energy to the shape of an object, but I am also drawn to these joyful shades,’ Westman continues. ‘I love it when someone says, “This is cute” or “I want to eat it”. It’s nice to make people happy.’
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