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A £10k platter inspired by the London 2012 aquatics centre and a chess set that resembles a miniature cityscape are among the products that the architect released at Harrods last week Zaha Hadid has found a viable outlet for her more experimental architectural proposals in a collection of homeware that launched last week. The trademark swoops and curves that make structural engineers shudder have been realised in miniature – six pieces, including a range of ceramic vessels, a chess set, scented candles and a serving platter inspired by her 2012 Olympic aquatics centre. Ranging in price from £38 for the smallest bone china teacup to £9,999 for the made-to-order Aqua platter, the “affordable” designs were launched at Harrods, as part of the department store’s first year participating in London Design Festival. “The pieces subtly reference Zaha’s architecture,” says Woody Yao, director of Zaha Hadid Design, one of the architect’s seven companies. “You can see certain aspects of different buildings in the various designs.” The four tapered forms that make up the Aqua platter, for example, resemble the arched roof of the London aquatics centre. Flashes of fuchsia and green run through the glass pieces, which can be used together or separately. The polished resin playing pieces in the Field of Towers chess set sit at two ends of the board like miniature cities made entirely of Hadid skyscrapers. The practice will release limited-edition pieces over time to allow owners to build a collection, which can be stored in the lime-green-lined case beneath the board. The veiny, hourglass-shaped containers that house scented candles are based on Hadid’s designs for a tower in Miami. The two fragrances — one for daytime and one for night — were developed in conjunction with a Parisian perfume house. The collection also includes stools and candleholders, which are displayed in the store alongside Hadid’s Aria and Avia lamps for Italian brand Slamp and a pair of a chrome-plated 16.5cm-heeled Nova shoes for United Nude. Hadid has previously collaborated with other brands to launch products for the home, but this is the practice’s first complete collection of its own. The products are manufactured in Europe using traditional materials such as ceramics and china, as well as more modern resins and acrylics. Not one to underestimate the commercial appeal of her brand, Hadid has, in the past, turned her hand to furniture, jewellery, shoes, boats, swimwear, handbags, bottles, doll’s houses, bathroom fittings, as well as individual products for the home. And, as plans for a second collection of homeware are already underway, this could be just the beginning. |
Words Debika Ray |
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