2015 Milan Salone Latest Report | ARMANI / CASA

ARMANI / CASA

Milan Salone International Furniture Fair 2015

In Pursuit of Timeless, World-Class Luxury

ARMANI / CASA presented its new collection at the Armani / Teatro, designed by Tadao Ando, located in Milan's Tortona district. This year, marking the brand's 40th anniversary, they unveiled new and limited-edition pieces. The venue also hosted a special exhibition showcasing projects by the interior design studio for Armani Hotels and other international developments, offering a glimpse into the world of Armani.

Photographs by Daniele DAINELLIText by Kumi KATSURA (TOL STUDIO INC.)

The Dreamlike Style of Armani

Giorgio Armani, a leading Italian designer, revolutionized the fashion world with his design philosophy. His pursuit of the essence of luxury, expressed through interior design projects, has deepened his identity and transformed our perception of comfort through beauty.

The 2015 Armani / Casa collection explores an essential style and form of luxury, inspired by an imaginary "prince." The theme of the East is subtly yet precisely conveyed through his cross-cultural perspective, blending art and design. This theme, combined with creativity and craftsmanship, translates into abstract expressions of Eastern culture, embodying a timeless dream.

"I have always been fascinated by the delicate interplay between sensitivity and taste. Beyond the mere concept of 'different cultures,' I arrive at a complex vision of things conveyed through cultural passion. I sought similarities between the 'East,' which captivates me, and the 'West,' to which I belong, and by translating these similarities into furniture and decor, I attempted to bring profound sophistication and timeless elegance to spaces," says Giorgio Armani.

The venue was transformed into a stark black space, where geometric plaster cubes, symbolizing the contemporary, floated and contrasted vividly with the supple, gleaming furniture collection.

The limited-edition "Justin" desk, created to commemorate the Armani brand's 40th anniversary, features elegant lines in gray ash wood and a refined water-green leather finish. Its classic design, complete with a lockable drawer and the tactile quality of the leather, poetically suggests a desk for "raccogliere pensiero" (gathering thoughts).

The limited-edition "Justin" desk, created to commemorate the brand's 40th anniversary.

Among the new collection, the "Jazz" bar cabinet particularly stood out. It appeared to float off the floor, supported by slender metal fittings. The sides featured a woven pattern finished in copper, and pulling the central handle revealed drawers and shelves finished in a vibrant vermilion.

For this year's collection, original textile designs were developed using hand-woven fabrics crafted with special techniques by Rubelli, a historic Venetian textile manufacturer, and patterns inspired by Japanese armor. New colors included jade, ruby, and sapphire blue, with cushions coordinated to match each theme.

The "Jazz" bar cabinet and cushions adorned with new original textiles.

Furthermore, lighting fixtures featuring new lampshades crafted by a master from Murano, Venice, whose glassmaking techniques date back approximately 800 years, cast a rich glow befitting the collection. Other items, such as candelabras, games, and scorpion-shaped paperweights, further expanded Armani's worldview, exploring a dreamlike space through the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.

This year, celebrating the brand's 40th anniversary,Interior Design Studio Exhibitionan exhibition of interior designs, floor plans, and models created by the Interior Design Studio (IDS), established in 2004, was presented. It offered insight into how cultural inclinations and respect for diverse cultures are interpreted and translated into everyday spaces, allowing ideas to gradually take shape.

ARMANI / CASA
5-5-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Armani / Ginza Tower 4F

Tel. 03-6274-7003
http://www.armanicasa.com