2015 Milan Salone Latest Report | Foscarini

Foscarini

Salone del Mobile.Milano 2015

The Culmination of a Rise to Top Brand Status

Foscarini has led the way in Italian design lighting since the 2000s. Building on a foundation of traditional Venetian glass, the brand expanded its design repertoire by skillfully incorporating resin materials like carbon fiber, securing its position as a top-tier name. It is truly a revolutionary force in lighting design. This year, they are presenting an ambitious lineup, including new works designed by Nendo, led by Oki Sato, and revivals of their signature pieces.

Text by YUDA Takeshi (TOL STUDIO INC.)

A Revolutionary in Lighting Design, Leading the Forefront of Contemporary Design

This year's booth design was conceived by Ferruccio Laviani, a representative designer for Foscarini. The vast, theater-like structure featured Foscarini's iconic masterpieces near the entrance, followed by semi-new works on the middle tier, and the latest creations on the top level, with products seemingly dancing on display. These 'performers' offered a modern interpretation of past classics, with meticulous attention to detail and material presentation, all to define a new vision. It was an exhibition that could be called a culmination, fully embodying the experience accumulated over 30 years since the company's founding.

Foscarini's exhibition booth, designed by Ferruccio Laviani

The new 'CAIIGO' collection, meaning 'fog' in a dialect of the Veneto region, features a beautiful gradient from white to transparent, achieved through blown glass. 'GEM' and 'TARTAN,' designed by Palomba Serafini who continues to explore Venetian glass, live up to their names with exquisite details, evoking jewels and tartan patterns respectively.

'Caiigo,' meaning fog in a Veneto dialect

The new 'Gem' and 'Tartan' collections, crafted from blown glass

The marriage of glass, with its over 1000-year history and tradition, and LED technology is a common theme among brands. Foscarini, however, goes a step further by developing unique light sources for each product, demonstrating a deep commitment to lighting itself. The 'KURAGE' (Jellyfish) collection, designed by Nendo, also garnered significant attention. Its washi paper lampshades were crafted by a rare Japanese artisan capable of shaping the material into this specific form. The sockets, made of ceramic, further emphasize the consistent use of natural materials.

Collaboration with DIESEL Showcasing Development Prowess

Foscarini propelled itself to top brand status through its proactive exploration of new materials and light sources, including its ventures into design lighting using resin materials like carbon fiber and PPM. This year's exhibition highlighted their advanced development capabilities through their well-established collaboration with DIESEL.

The collaboration perfectly captured DIESEL's vision of 'premium casual living,' showcasing remarkable development techniques that blend avant-garde design with high-class quality. Situated at the intersection of Italian lighting tradition and innovative ideas, we witnessed their capacity to create new products by actively incorporating novel materials and technologies—the very driving force behind their ascent to a top brand.