Glam Interiors + Design - Issue 10, April 2016

8/16/2019 Glam Interiors + Design - Issue 10, April 2016

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APRIL 20, 2016

PAGE 26

COVER IMAGE

COURTESY:BRIGITTE LACOMBE

26 THE FOCUS “QUALITY IS THE ONLY THING

THAT MATTERS”

The architect duo behind PeiaAssociati talk about the direct

relationship between space andmaterial in their body of workthat spans continents while ittakes centre stage in Qatar.

32 GID REGIONAL FOCUS TALES OF DESIGN

Known for his ingeniouscombinations of traditional

elements and contemporaryproduct design, UAE-baseddesigner Khalid Shafar’sapproach encompasses apersonal expression of form,movement, emotion and the taleof objects.

38 GID REGIONAL FOCUS

DUBAI DESIGN DAYS SPOTLIGHT GID takes its picks of the best

from the region’s most populardesign extravaganza.

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12 GID MIX

THE STYLE RE-DEFINED A potpourri of home accessories

sourced from around the country andsome from beyond.

24 GID DECONSTRUCT WORK IN STYLE

If you were one among those whothought that Doha had no choices

when it comes to interior solutions,think again. GID brings to you thosedesigns that are available in thecountry and created in a backdropthat can be easily replicated in yourhouses. Go ahead, deconstruct…

56 GID GLAMOUR LOUD AND BOLD

IKEA brings glamour to our houseswith these beautiful imagined homeaccessories designed by a fashiondesigner.

14 GID MASTERMIND

THE GENIUS OF CURVES GID pays its tribute to the master

architect whose designs have alwaystaken precedence in its pages.RIP Hadid.

52 GID GLAMOUR THE DESIGN ALCHEMIST We visit some stunning spaces

designed by L ondon-based interiordesigner Laura Marino, of Alchemigroup.

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MANAGING EDITOR SINDHU NAIR

DEPUTY EDITOR EZDHAR IBRAHIM ALI

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT AYSWARYA MURTHY

KARIM EMAM

UDAYAN NAG

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT AARTHI MOHAN

CORRESPONDENT KEERTANA KODURU

PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT ALTAMIRANO

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR VENKAT REDDY

DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR HANAN ABU SIAM

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR AYUSH INDRAJITH

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER MAHESHWAR REDDY B

BUSINESS HEAD FREDRICK ALPHONSO

MANAGER – MARKETING SAKALA A DEBRASS

ASSISTANT MANAGER – MARKETING MATHEWS CHERIAN

SONY VELLATT

IRFAAN A H M

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT DENZITA SEQUEIRA

ANIS MANSOURI

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT PRATAP CHANDRAN

SENIOR DISTRIBUTION EXECUTIVE BIKRAM SHRESTHA

DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT ARJUN TIMILSINA

BHIMAL RAI

BASANTHA P

PRADEEP BHUSAL

PUBLISHER AND EDITOR–IN–CHIEF YOUSUF JASSEM AL DARWISH


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GLAM INTERIORS + DESIGN 7

“Integrity is the ability to stand by an idea.”

I have always followed Zaha Hadid’s work and now, looking back, I feel it was more for

the news factor that each of her designs racked up rather than for the value she added

to the world of architecture with her uncompromising ability to stand for her designs.

But it is a trap each of us has fallen into as we were captivated by the forms she

created: the sweeping curves of the buildings, the undulations of the roof, that replaced

rectangular forms when designed by architects who played it safe. Each take off from

the norm, had a science behind it or a design problem that it was solving. While she

mocked the geometry of buildings since “the world is not a rectangle”, she tried to use

her buildings to engage people, to excite them and to elicit a response with their

exuberant, swooping forms and sharp, slashing angles, to make a connection, making

the building more than a physical structure but an important link in the place that it is.

She saw architecture as a social art, and not purely as a matter of form making. She

was fascinated by urban density and she wanted to use the early modernist forms that

had inspired her as the basis for a new architecture that would reflect the complexity

of contemporary urban life.

She paved the way for women architects by being an exceptional architect first, in a

field that was dominated by male signature architects. While she came across as a

powerful lady in self-designed dresses that billowed out as a halo over her, she was

said to be gentle in the way she dealt with others. Cross her the wrong way and there

was no fiercer woman than Hadid as we saw a few months back when she reacted to

a BBC reporter’s insistent questioning about the supposed death of migrant workers

at the stadium in Wakrah that was designed by her.

The world of design is still to come to terms with her death, which came so abruptly,

unlike her designs, all of which were fluid, continuous and everlasting…

This issue as it mourns the loss of Hadid, also celebrates design in various ways:

through the Design Days Dubai’s best solutions in avant-garde designs; through an

architect duo’s work which has brought to life many beautiful projects in the country;

and through an innovative Danish home store’s interplay with fashion and

home accessories.

Happy Reading.

SINDHU NAIR

FROM THE DRAWING BOARD

The two vases designed by Zaha Hadid forAlessi are cut from a single block, and scored along

two diagonal lines, creating a warped, invertedsurface. They can be assembled together in

alternative configurations, creating solid forms, orthey can stand alone as distinct objects or more

can be accumulated as a jigsaw puzzle.

E D I T O R ’ S C H O I C E


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10 GLAM INTERIORS + DESIGN

GID

GRAPEVINE

Doha’s Aiana Hotels & Resorts, recently unveiled the design andarchitectural elements of the “Aiana Suites and Residences”, a 180-keyluxury property that will be located in West Bay in Doha.

On the occasion of its f irst anniversary, Sheikh Turki bin Faisal Al Thani,Chairman of Al Sawari Holding, Amruda Nair, Joint Managing Director and ChiefExecutive Officer, Aiana Hotels & Resorts L.L.C., and Mohammad Shafiek,Managing Director of Al Sawari Holding announced the opening of Aiana Makkah,a 611-room hotel in the Holy City of Makkah. Aiana’s first hotel in the KingdomOf Saudi Arabia is scheduled to open in Q3 2016. Aiana Suites and ResidencesDoha are designed by Lisbon-based Portuguese interior design firm Promontorioand will include all hotel services and branded amenities. The residences willexude an authentic local vibe, intelligent design and intuitive management with astrong Indian service ethos. “Today we celebrate a defining moment in the Aianabrand journey. The announcement of Aiana Makkah is a key milestone for thebrand and it is an honour to bring the Aiana experience to the Holy City. We are

looking forward to opening the f irst Aiana hotel in the Middle East in 2016.” saidAmruda Nair. “We are also delighted to unveil the first look of Aiana Suites andResidences, Doha and are confident that our unique product and service ethoswill address the growing demand for value-added offering in the upper upscalehospitality segment.”

INGVAR KAMPRAD TURNS 90

When he was just 17 years old, he founded IKEA where he sold household goods,like matches and pens, at reduced rates. Cut to the present and Ingvar Kampradcelebrates his 90th birthday after building a global business empire in flat-packfurniture which now has over 375 stores in 47 countries. The acronym IKEA ismade up of the initials of his name. His vision has always been to offer a widerange of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at low prices sothat many people will be able to afford them. A revolutionary in interior design

and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world, his story of success istruly inspiring. Happy birthday to this enigmatic founder!

AIANA UNVEILS

_NEW DESIGNS


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Ayah Al Bitar’s work brings together design andfunction.

Her new Wisada collection is designed with the helpof orthopedic doctors and psychologists to ensure that notonly your home is filled with beautiful artwork but yourbody enjoys optimum comfort for muscles and bones, andyour mind is at ease. It is a sculptural floor cushion setinspired by the difference between Eastern and Westerntransportation cultures, and encourages social dialogue ina traditional, yet contemporary environment. Formed inthe shape of an enlarged bicycle seat and illustrated withSaudi women’s stories, Wisada is unique in its conceptand aesthetic and works best when placed in multiples.

MIND AND BODY

REDEFINING

BATHROOMSOLUTIONS

Ideal Standard has carved a niche with a unique rangeof innovative, award-winning bathroom solutionsdesigned for projects across the Middle East region.

Whether it is residential, commercial or public facilities,each project varies in purpose, design and size, but the

company can accommodate all requirements through itswide array of products and world-class brands such as theflagship Ideal Standard, Armitage Shanks, Jado, AmericanStandard and more. Ranges like DEA, with its warm,curved, flowing surfaces is a perfect combination of chic,high-end design and functionality; Tonic II, with its cleancut-lines and soft edges, provides elegance and impeccableergonomics; and Strada offers the best of contemporarygeometry, functionality, and ease of use. Ideal Standardhas something for everyone and has offered its products

for commercial projects as well as public facilities suchas hospitals, offices, hotels, schools, stadia and publicbathrooms.


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Qatar has achieved a major breakthroughwith nine projects named as nationalwinners at the MEED Quality Awards forProjects, in association with Mashreq.

The winning list included, Al RayyanHospitality’s Banana Island ResortDoha by Anantara Project (entered byUrbaCon Trading & Contracting) asLeisure & Tourism Project of the Year;Ashghal Public Works Authority’s DohaSouth Sewage Treatment Works Phase IIExpansion Project (entered by Galfar AlMisnad and Larsen & Toubro) as Powerand Water Project of the Year; the Private

Engineering Office’s Grand Mosque Project(entered by Contraco) as Social, Culture &Heritage Project of the Year; Gulf DrillingInternational’s Warehouse Project asIndustrial Project of the Year; ConsolidatedContractors Company’s Lusail SportsArena Project (entered by Astad ProjectManagement) as Sustainable Project ofthe Year, sponsored by Besix; and DolphinEnergy’s Export Gas Compression UpgradeProject (entered by Al Malki Trading &Contracting) as Small Project of the Year.

Also joining the list were QatarFoundation’s Construction of Main

Works for Male and Female StudentHousing for Qatar Foundation Project(entered by Joannou & Paraskevaides) asResidential Project of the Year; as well as itsHeadquarters Project as Building Project ofthe Year. Meanwhile, a collaborative projectby the New Doha International AirportSteering Committee, Hamad InternationalAirport and Civil Aviation Authority – theHamad International Airport PassengerTerminal Complex – Retail, Food &Beverage Fit-out Construction Project(entered by Parsons)– was named Qatar’sRetail Project of the Year.

GID

GRAPEVINE

BIG LEAP

_FOR QATAR

NEW INNOVATION

_FROM JOTUN

Jotun has introduced, the Aurora collection, a newrange in powder coatings. With new technological

advances, this innovation provides sustainable andenvironmentally friendly solutions in powder coatingtechnology.

Inspired by the enchanting Northern Lights, TheAurora Collection is useable on both aluminiumand steel. The coatings provide a metallic effectand consistency in application, hiding any substrateimperfections, whilst being eco-friendly. Using 40 timesless water, 10 times less electricity and 20 times less gas,the production process saves time and natural resources

to maintain a high-performance and consistent finish.The collection is available in 11 captivating colours andsets a benchmark for high-quality and durable products.


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GID


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S T Y L E

R E - D E F I N E D !

Whether you’re traditional,and love timeless style, or

glam, and need moreembellishments, step out of

your comfort zone with thesestatement pieces.

GID

MIX

A R A B E S Q U E C H A R M

The set of side tables from AlMana Galleria adds characterto your space with its size and

arabic-inspired design.

O N E W I T H N A T U R E

Be inspired by naturewith this set of sidetables from Midas.

D U A L P U R P O S E

Original oak barrel stavesfunction as both the soul and theformative design details. Create

a series of contrasts with thispiece by Peter Marino.

R E F L E C T I O N O F L I F E

This piece from Nodus is a rounddynamic rug that forms a crown

of immutable, unchanged life,representing the cycle of life.

E T H N I C P I E CE

Moderiental piecesfrom Artikkan Gallery

evokes the taste of a welltravelled curator.

VI N T A G E L O V E

Reflect the growingtrend for vintage withthis piece from Midas.

E Y E -CA T CH I N G

Either as a pair at both ends of a sofaor on a console table, this lamp’s uniqueshape and vibrant hue proves an accent

can still make a big impact.


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A R T I S T I C E Y E

A pretty painting worthy of apiece of art from Midas.

M I N I M A L I S T I C E L E G A N C E

Balance burnished metals andcontemporary inlay work with

this piece from Artikkan Gallery.

C L E A N L I N E S

Keep it simple with this uniquebronze table by Osanna Viscontidi Modrone for Bottega Veneta.

S H I F T F O C U S

Add a focal point to your space withthis abstract wall art from Midas.

F U N K Y A C C E N T S

Go bold with this quirkytimepiece from Midas.

P E R FE CT A L CH E M Y

Make a marriage of mother-of-pearl and gold with this side

table from Living In Interiors

B E D A Z Z L I N G E F F E C T

Mirrored artifacts like this piecefrom Swarovski add personality

to your interiors.

GID

GID


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MASTERMIND

MASTERMIND


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GID PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE ARCHITECT PAR EXCELLENCE, DAME ZAHA HADID, WHOSEUNTIMELY DEATH SHOCKED THE ENTIRE DESIGN COMMUNITY. WE LOOK AT SOME OF HERDESIGNS, FROM CREATIVE FLUID FORMS TO BUILDINGS THAT LEAN PRECARIOUSLY, ANDWONDER HOW THESE CREATIONS THAT CLEARLY DEFY ALL LAWS OF GRAVITY REMAIN

STANDING IN PERFECT HARMONY WITH THEIR SURROUNDINGS. HADID’S WORK WILLREMAIN A LEGACY, FOR BREAKING FREE OF CONVENTION AND CONFORMITY. R.I.P HADID.

ZAHA HADID:

THE GENIUS OF CURVES

GID


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MASTERMIND

Guangzhou Opera House, China

Opera houses have long been a symbol of a city’s culture,and today a Zaha Hadid opera house is the culturalsymbol of choice for a new world city. Dubai had tocancel theirs in the f inancial crisis; Abu Dhabi are still

building theirs; but Guangzhou have completed theirs, to justif ied critical acclaim. The Guangzhou Opera Houseis the third largest theater in China, for what is, by somemeasures at least, China’s third largest city. While thereis some commonality to the fluid, amorphous forms ofHadid’s opera house designs, the Guangzhou OperaHouse stands out as the least organic. The building sits inthe urban centre of Guangzhou close to the Pearl River,and Hadid’s metaphor for the building is a pair of water-smoothed pebbles in the flow of the river.


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Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan

The Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan is a cultural centre, in a futuristic monument designed by architectZaha Hadid.

Since its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan h as invested heavily in modernising and developing its capitalBaku’s infrastructure and architecture, departing from its legacy of normative Soviet modernism.

The design of the Heydar Aliyev Center establishes a continuous, fluid relationship between its surroundingplaza and the building’s interior. The plaza, as the ground surface, accessible to all as part of Baku’s urbanfabric, rises to envelop an equally public interior space and def ine a sequence of event spaces dedicatedto the collective celebration of contemporary and traditional Azeri culture. Elaborate formations such asundulations, bifurcations, folds, and inflections modify this plaza surface into an architectural landscape that

performs a multitude of functions: welcoming, embracing and directing visitors through different levels of theinterior. The Center, designed to become the primary building for the nation’s cultural programs, breaks fromthe rigid and often monumental Soviet architecture that is so prevalent in Baku, aspiring instead to expressthe sensibilities of Azeri culture and the optimism of a nation that looks to the future.

GID


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MASTERMIND

The Wangjing SOHO, China

The Wangjing SOHO building complex is a beaconalong the way to Beijing’s modern gateway, theCapital Airport, and the journey of transition to andfrom the city. The project acts as a welcoming post

to the city and a gesture of farewell when departingBeijing. The buildings achieve this by readingdifferently when transitioning in either direction,leaving distinctly different impressions on those whopass by. Like Chinese fans, the volumes appear tomove around each other in an intricate dance, eachembracing the other from a continuously changingangle. This interplay creates a vibrant architecturalcomplex that is enhanced by an equally dynamic

external skin, which continuously varies in density tocreate a shimmering, exciting presence.


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Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, South Korea

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a major urban development landmark inSeoul designed by Hadid, with a distinct neofuturistic design characterisedby the p owerful, curving forms of elongated structures. Brought to life usingfive construction technologies, it was the first public project in Korea toutilize the 3-Dimensional Building Information Modelling (BIM) and otherdigital tools in construction.

GID

MASTERMIND


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MASTERMIND

Bergisel Ski Jump, Austria

The Bergiselschanze Ski JumpStadium is a pilgrimage site for wintersports enthusiasts. The Bergisel hasseen two Olympic Winter Games andis the venue of countless international

competitions attracting spectatorsfrom all over the world. Its ski jumpinstallation, designed by Hadidin 2001, is a triumph of style andstructure. The sinuous and dynamicform of the main tower accommodatesa restaurant, viewing terrace and theski jump starting ramp, and offers abreathtaking view of Innsbruck.


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Abu DhabiPerforming Art Centre

A new performingarts centre having fivetheatres, a concert hall andopera theatres. Hadid’sperforming arts centreemerges from the groundlike a futuristic running-shoe. It will house a musichall, a concert auditorium,

one of the world’s largestopera houses, and theatresfor up to 6,000 people.

Al Wakra Stadium, Doha.

This must have been the most controversialbuildings so far for Hadid, with ridicule heap edon its structure resembling a woman’s bodypart to the death of workers in the constructionof this site. Hadid had even reacted angrilyto the latter, saying to the journalist whointerviewed her, “We sued somebody forwriting that, and saying that, and it had tobe withdrawn from the press. It is absolutelyinaccurate,” said the architect. “ There are nodeaths on our site whatsoever.”

THE

UNBUILT

THE

THING


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THING


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NATURE’SREVENGE

THIS EXPERIMENTAL YET FUNCTIONALPROJECT FROM GEORGES AMATOURY STUDIO ISTHE ULTIMATE ECO-TERRORISM FANTASY.

Too long has Earth allowed her forests to be mowed downto make way for urban sprawl. Too long has mankindpointlessly debated climate change while continuing itsdestructive ways even as sea levels rose, droughts spread andspecies went extinct. Now, the time of judgment is upon us,at least within this glass-encased world. Both angry andbeautiful, Green Pompeii is a limited-edition console; eachof the eight pieces created is stacked with a uniquecombination of mineral materials (brushed brass, concrete,polished stainless steel, gun metal, silver leaf patine),portraying the skyline of a 21st-century city, drowning inorganic, green resin. Estimated cost: QR70,000

GID

DECONSTRUCT


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W O R K

I N S T Y L E

CREATE AN UNCONVENTIONAL HOME OFFICE BYMIXING DIFFERENT TEXTURES, STYLES AND PRINTSAND PICK UNUSUAL FURNITURE: AN ARABESQUE-INSPIRED DESK LIKE THIS AND A COZY NICHE WITHA TUFTED BACKDROP AND EXOTIC PILLOWS FROM

AL MANA GALLERIA ADD A PERSONAL TOUCHWHICH GIVES JUST THE RIGHT INSPIRATIONAL

BOOST.

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4

6

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(ALL PRODUCTS ARE FROM AL MANA GALLERIA.THE LOOK IS CREATED BY ARCHITECT BUKET TANRIKULU)


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1 PAINTING: QR4,100 2 RHAPSODY DESK: QR13,166 3 OTTOMAN ARMCHAIR, MOBI: QR3,920 4 CARPET, ELEMENT: QR12,050 5 MONTE CRISTO ARMCHAIR, KOLEKSIYON: QR6,110 6 NEW YORKER COFFEE TABLE: QR6,102 7 BIBLA LIBRARY, MOBI: QR19,922

8 PILLOW ESTIK DÈCOR: QR543 9 STATU 2 SEATER SOFA, CASA: QR9,354 10 VASE, CASA SET: QR306

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GID ARCHITECTURE


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A COMPLETE

ANDCONSCIOUS DESIGN

PRACTICETHE ARCHITECTDUO FROM PEIAASSOCIATI,GIAMPIERO PEIAAND MARTANASAZZI DISCUSSGIVING A SECONDLIFE TO PROJECTSAND WEAVING ASTRONG STORYOF AESTHETICSTHROUGH THEIRBODY OF WORK.

BY AARTHIMOHAN


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While every married couple’s dynamicis unique. Giampiero Peia and MartaNasazzi represent a husband and wifecollaboration that is changing thetraditional definition of architecturalpartnerships. Giampiero has been inthe architecture and design industryfor many years, studying his craftalongside luminaries such as IgnazioGardella and Piero Lissoni. He hasworked on a multitude of projectsranging from retail, hospitality andresidential.

He was nominated by Casabellamagazine as one of the best 4 0 Italian“under 50” architects. Marta, on theother hand, is an interior designer andhas always had that special eye for styleand good taste. As husband and wife theyhave had the luxury of time together andafter realising that their combined wealthof experience could develop, create andsustain a business that would fulfill theirdesign expectations, they have nowcemented their partnership with PeiaAssociati. Covering areas of architecture,interiors, industrial design, masterplanning and product design services,the firm was started in 1995 in Milan andhas now diversified with varied projectsscattered in many countries across theglobe. Fuelled by a spirit of constant

transversal research in different fieldsof design, this duo likes to say that theirartisanal approach is more an ethos thana style. Their spaces are atmospheric with

emphasis on detailing and intelligentuse of materials, and reflect a sense ofbelonging.

Context plays a big role in the designpractice of Peia Associati. “Our projectsare born out of a direct relationship tospace and materials. What we are tryingto create is honest architecture. Becauseof that, in terms of material compatibilityand being sustainable, it becomes anexperiential process in and of itself,” saysGiampiero. The couple love what they doand it is reflected in their designs. These

days, the practice is primarily involved

CONTEXTUAL FOCUSLeft: the Centre for peaceIkeda in Milan. Below: TheShanghai Towers and theCoca Cola pavilion at theExpo Milano 2015.


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SIMPLY UNIQUEPeia Associati’s signatureis the patterns that theycreate exclusive for eachproject. Above: A privatevilla in Doha and the QatarChamber. Left: The Coca-Cola pavilion at the ExpoMilano 2015.

“It is about long-termrelationships and blurring the

lines between architecture andinteriors, so that there is

complementary vision.”


travels and books but also fromi i ’ l f i

GID ARCHITECTURE


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with residential and hospitality projects.To make a residential design perfect,every detail needs to be specif ically

designed according to the client’s needsand so, by default, they become anextension of the Peia family. “It is aboutlong-term relationships and blurring thelines between architecture and interiors,so that there is complementary vision,”Marta explains. The projects are all abouttextures. I love working with differentmaterials in all my projects”.

Distinct from an architectural firm,the couple is less concerned withplanning, designing, and buildingphysical structures than with developingan architectural language that isautonomous, intuitive, and everlasting.In the duo’s work a physical structurearises from a narrative that engages thedesign by telling stories.

“For me, importance is more on the

richness of architecture and expressionof the space. Details relating to theculture, understanding of the naturalsurroundings, doing research withartistic creativity, etc., is imperativewhen taking up a project. We try toapply a style that is subtle with elementsfrom different cultures. Our signatureis the geometric patterns that we createexclusively for each space,” says the

architect.Inspiration for these ar tistic minds

comes not only from their extensive

Giampiero’s love for cinema. Hesays, “cinema is the closest thing toarchitecture. We are like movie directors,from coordination to execution we areinvolved in all the disciplines. If you read

the biography of Stanley Kubrick, he wasa maniac for details. This is the samewisdom we share with our students aswell”.

Their varied palette of interior projectsincludes the new Italian Centre I.B.I.S.G.

“Cinema is the closest thing to

architecture. We are like moviedirectors, from coordination toexecution we are involved in all

the disciplines.”

in Corsico-Milan, a complex for culturald f t i l di d


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and conference centre including new andancient buildings; the Coca-Cola Pavilionfor Expo 2015 in Milan and suites inShanghai. The prominent projects inDoha include: The Oyster at The Pearl;

the 62-storey Kempinski Residences andSuites and its new Z lounge (the tallestbar in Doha) and Alfardan Towers whichoffers twin offices and residential towers,the BMW showroom and the GuerlainSpa, winner of the 2 008 Middle East Spaaward. “We also work as consultants forQatar Rail, infrastructure and interiorsto help public and private companies.The new showroom and office for Lexusis under construction. Hospitality isour core business. We have designedresidential projects such as privatevillas for many influential clients. Peia

Associati has also been shortlisted forthe competition for a new Qatar NationalBank headquarters on the Corniche andthe Doha Yacht Club Hotel and Marina,”says the proud couple.

The firm believes in giving a secondlife to any project they work on, that isthe idea of approaching design as anoperation of re-assembly, by taking partsfrom one world and transferring theminto another. To exemplify the currentdimension of reuse, Giampiero feelsthat the focus should be shifted from asingle result of the design assemblageto a strategic creative process ofinfinitely possible solutions, where theattention is focused on the concept ofmanufacturing.

“Architecture now has become more

environmentally conscious. Interiors

are less durable but for the timethat has to be used, we as architectshave a responsibility to create anenvironmentally- friendly project. I donot believe in the term ‘wastage’. Everyarchitect should keep in mind not towaste material irrespective of the budgetone works with. We believe ecologic iseconomic.”

“Quality is the only thing that matters,be it by signature architects or not,”says Giampiero. With a new resort inthe Maldives under construction, thefuture looks interesting for this designduo. Their combined passion for designand each others interests ensures thatthe two spheres of work and play mergeseamlessly by re-interpreting their rootswith a contemporary and sustainable

vision based on experiences.

VARIEDPROJECTSCentre: A luxuryhotel in the

Maldives which isthe duo’s upcomingproject. Left: TheGuerlain Spa at theAlfardan Towers.Below: The Zlounge, Doha bynight.

GID REGIONAL FOCUS


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P H O T O C

O U R T E S Y : S E R G E Y B E S P A L O V A N D

C A R T E L


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KNOWN FOR HIS INGENIOUS COMBINATIONS OF TRADITIONALELEMENTS AND CONTEMPORARY PRODUCT DESIGN,UAE-BASED DESIGNER KHALID SHAFAR’S APPROACH

ENCOMPASSES A PERSONAL EXPRESSION OF FORM, MOVEMENT,EMOTION, AND THE TALE OF OBJECTS.

BY AARTHI MOHAN

tellingtalesof

design

GID REGIONAL FOCUS


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The objects that inhabit his worldmake an impression of stillsdredged from a tale, a reflection ofhis thematic choices and the wayin which he realizes them by usingdifferent techniques and narratives,which makes Khalid's aestheticallyfunctional designs one-off pieces.

Sparked by a long-term personal andprofessional goal to be a designer, Khalidis qualified in two disciplines, marketingand fine ar ts and interior design. He

obtained both his degrees from theAmerican University in Dubai but hispassion was always in furniture design. "Ideveloped more interest while doing myInterior Design degree and a furnituredesign course. By then, I had decidedthat I wanted to build my own brand andhave my own designs. I don't regret mycorporate life. It taught me discipline,management skills, and leadership,” he

says.His approach to design embraces the

golden triangle of creativity, practicalityand functionality. "Functionality is thekey to all my creations and I considermyself a functional designer. I ensurethat my work is valid and purposeful",says the designer. His products serve amultitude of purposes and spaces. Many

objects have been designed to function inmore than one mood, depending on thetales they tell.

A designer is always sensitive to thebeauty of things around him and forthis designer, inspiration lies in manythings such as architecture, crafts, artand people. Simple yet avant-garde, eachproduct pictures a revival of the 50s,60s, and 70s sleek styling which is then

re-interpreted with contemporary flair.Designed to fit individualistic interiorspaces, they are fuelled with the energyand passion of Khalid's own lifestyle andlife stories.

"It is the 'tale' that is the aestheticside of each object and what creates theattachment with all my pieces. Whetheryou belong to the tale or not, you still

react towards it when you read or listento it," he says.Following specific trends of design

does not interest this artist; he believes

CULTURALLYINCLINED

Khalid Shafar’sconnection with the

rich past of his nativeregion is highlighted inworks such as his Palmcollection, Flame-ingo

project for DRAK 2015

and the Seats collection.


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that in the world of product design,we are less restricted to trends than infashion. The Campana Brothers are

Khalid's global design idols and he has alot of admiration for their work. He alsoenjoys the works of Martino Gamper,Konstantine Grcic and Maarten Baas.

Designed with a conscious use of form,materials and texture encapsulatedin functional objects, this designer’srepertoire highlights the rich past ofhis native region which he achievesby employing dying crafts, including

weaving and embroidery. He explores thearea of the genesis of forms dependingon the practical conditions of utility andpossibility.

Khalid's internationally acclaimedwork “telltale objects”, includes hisPalm collection, a series of stools,tables, coat stands and coffee tables.Pine and ash blocks face upwards in a

graphic representation that exploresthe bark found on the trunk of a palmtree, a popular sight in the designer'shome country. Continuing upward, thesurfaces of the tables are woven out of

dried leaves, creating colourful patternswhile the handle pays homage to wickerbaskets woven in a similar way. "I also

recently started using the Agal (theblack woven cord that Arab men wearto secure their head covers) in my latestinstallations, The Cabin and Formawhich is very unique to me,” says theartist.

FLAME-INGO is another popularproject by Khalid which was presentedduring DRAK 15. Exploring therelationship between material and

form through mass-produced industrialmaterials such as interlocking pavementblocks, he reinterpreted the materialto create a functional object, in thiscase a candleholder. His design drewinspiration from the body shape ofthe flamingos of Ras Al Khor WildlifeSanctuary. The different kinds ofinterlocking blocks retain their original

variety of shape, form and finish toreinforce the value of such material whenput into a design. The candleholder'scomponents correspond to variousparts of the flamingo's body. The tall,

“It is the ‘tale’ that is the aesthetic side ofeach object and what creates the

attachment with all my pieces. Whetheryou belong to the tale or not, you still reacttowards it when you read or listen to it.”

GID REGIONAL FOCUS


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slender shape of the candlestick, forexample, makes reference to the bird'slong neck. The candle burns and meltsover the interlocked body leaving a

sculptured layer of wax which suggeststhe flamingo's feathers.Timber is a dominant medium in most

of Khalid's collections. "It is true to saythat I have an aff inity with this material.As a medium, it has a reaction fromthe moment you cut it. When I finishthe piece and oil it, it is not the end. Itcomes alive, it moves. It reacts towardsheat, humidity and cool weather. It's

something to take care of," he says.Khalid has also been a part of

varied collaborations. He says, "I lovecollaborating with other brands. Oneof the simplest but most challengingwas the COS collaboration where I andfive other international designers eachhad to use one square metre of whitesheet paper to create something. It was

a medium that I used for the first timewithin a limited quantity and specificbrief. For me it was one of the nicestprojects I was involved in".

Simple lines mixed with rich detailand fine materials are the hallmarks ofa Khalid Shafar design. Being consciousof his motto, “Think Global, Act Gobal”,his future projects include a couple ofcollaborations which are in the pipeline

and a new product line under his labelwhich is set to be launched during thefirst quarter of 2017.

ARTISTICCOLLABORATORAbove: The Cabin,an interactivespace which isan experiencebetween seaand land. Below:Nakkash Gallery

paired-up withShafar for the 5thEdition of DesignDays Dubai.


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GID REGIONAL FOCUS


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ART OF


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GID PRESENTS THE EDITOR’S PICKS OF SOME OF THEMOST STUNNING PIECES FROM THE FIFTH EDITION OFDESIGN DAYS DUBAI. THE CAREFULLY CURATEDEXHIBITOR’S LIST WAS RICH WITH DESIGN TALENTFROM ACROSS THE GULF AND THE REST OF THEWORLD, ESPECIALLY FROM HOTSPOTS LIKE BEIRUTAND MILAN. THE EXHIBITION SPACE FELT MORE LIKE AGALLERY FOR HIGH ART, ALTHOUGH HERE ONE COULDTOUCH THE ARTWORKS, EVEN SIT ON THEM, BE

ENVELOPED BY THEM AND BECOME ONE WITH THEM.

LIVING

GID REGIONAL FOCUS


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Beirut-born Vick Vanlian is bringing

steampunk back. His pieces for theexhibition revolved around love, power andcopper. An interesting piece from the refuse

collection (which used already-producedindustrial elements that produces 80% lesswaste than recycling) was this unique sofa.On this particular design, they used bicycleparts–wheels, chains and pedals–high qualityfoam and feather for the seat and back and

top-quality vintage leather.

The Crafts Council will take eleven UK-basedcontemporary designers to Design Days

Dubai. One of them is Fay McCaul, whosespecialism lies in uniting modern materialswith age-old knitting techniques to forge adiverse range of luxury interiors from lights

and tables to screens and tapestries.Textilesthat shimmer in response to movement andlight are created when she inserts thousands

of metallic squares into individually knittedpockets

Coral Wal1 by Zuleika Penniman is a roomdivider that connects more than it divides.

Coral, which shelters a rich variety ofmarine life has historically been used in


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marine life, has historically been used inconstruction of traditional dwellings in theUAE. These delicate slices of coral rocks,reclaimed from buried mortar and plaster,are each unique and exquisitely patterned

and are arranged within a slender goldframe that bends.

Barcelona Design Gallery’s AmaristStudio collection challenged visitors withprovocative concepts presented throughpractical pieces. An example of this is the

coffee table called “Too Much? II”. Thisfunctional sculpture is essentially a neatlystacked pile of burnt or partially burnt 50Euro bills (each note hand painted by theartist) encased in a glass cube, with a thin

biofuel film rising above its surface.

Traditionally the Midkhan has been used on adaily basis around the house; however, their

GID REGIONAL FOCUS


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Aljoud Lootah reintroduces the UnfoldingUnity stool, designed to explore the

versatility of the structure by experimentingwith various materials. While patterns, folds

and geometric shapes are at the heart of herinspiration, she composes her creations bymixing traditional silhouettes and concepts

with modern elements.

The Cities exhibits shared the concept ofOrientalism Reinterpreted. Each designer

chose a recognizable design, structure, or motifthat has been traditionally associated with

Khaleeji culture and offered a reinterpretation.

Shown here is Amal de Luce’s “Enxoval”, acabinet made of Corian, Palissandro wood,Swarovski crystals and gold leaf.

form has remained unchanged, regardlessof age and use. Aisha Al Sowaidi harnesses

memory and nostalgia to rework these objectsusing materials inspired by the fast-developing

metropolis around her.

Binôme designers Ingrid Michel and Frédéric Painstole the show with the elegance and simplicityof Megalithe. This work focused on the object

while following the guiding line of sculptural design.The form is taut but the angles still have a certain

roundness, along with organic shapes and concrete

providing a mineral element. Balance is also one ofthe subjects addressed in the piece, with a primaryvolume supported by a secondary volume that

affirms the whole.


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Fadi Sarieddine’s booth revolved around upcycledobjects splattered across walls and expanding

through neglected spaces. The Swaddle chair wasthe designer’s favourite; “the star of the show,” ashe put it. The cone-shaped leather chair engulfsthe sitter in an attached cotton quilt. Should the

sitter prefer to lie down, the excess fabric canalso be pooled down the legs of the chair for atent effect. The no-frills approach is to pull the

fabric through the back of the seat.

“Hiraeth” by Coalesce Design Studio: a yearningfor a past that you never want to forget. That’s

the feeling that our spinning Lattoo seats willevoke. That experience that enlivens a momentof your long-forgotten childhood. Five Pakistanidesigners, each with their own interpretations.

Traditional, contemporary, whimsical,deconstructed, and futurist...each Lattoo is adialogue between different materials, forms,

space, and motion.

Milan’s Camp Design Gallery is barely a yearold, but its young owners have a great eye

as evidenced by “Where the Rain Stops”. Aprospective game deforms the projection of oneof the panels, and invites the viewer to look for apoint of view from which the circle enters into adynamic relationship with this work. The result isa drawing deep and valuable, delimited by a brasswire that separates the world of representation

from the real one.

The transcontinental Carpenters WorkshopGallery exhibited a signature piece by FrederikMolenschot. “Citylight 2 – The Wall” is inspired

by the intensity of cities, especially at night when

they seem like immense galaxies that criss-crossendlessly and at random. The artist worked

with bronze for the first time, using an ancestraltechnique and the piece took three years to make.

Art Fulcrum Gallery’s mission to bring contemporarydesign to the international stage has introduced the

GID REGIONAL FOCUS


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design to the international stage has introduced thelikes of Carla Baz to the audiences at Design Days

Dubai, where she presented Mandolin, a light fixturemade of brushed brass, mirror and LED lights.

Loulwa Al Radwan’s style is mainlyinfluenced by Islamic and traditional

designs with a modern twist, This year,however, her work for Design Days

Dubai has been exceptionally different.Her work is inspired by the natural

beauty of peacock’s feathers, whichincludes a bookshelf, a mirror and a table

all made from Carrara marble and brass.

Lebanese furniture producer SquadDesign pressed its designers into actionon the concept of Intensified Lightness-

one malleable object altering its

appearance to serve different functionswith lightness and grace. The Game Box

personifies this philosophy. Endlesslydiverting, the object of this 3D Tetrisis to create wonderfully bizarre (andstable) creations from the different

shapes available in the box (that forms aperfect block when assembled correctly;

should you be someone with moreconventional sensibilities).


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A century-old business based out of Kuwait, Samovar Carpetsknows its stuff. Where they shine is by mobilizing this t imeless

tradition into creating evocative modern images that bringany wall or floor to life. This limited-edition piece (only one ofwhich was created) by German designer Michaela Schleypenis called “Floor to Heaven” and is hand-tufted and made from

New Zealand wool.

Mechanical Art Devices or M.A.D Gallery presented arange of kinetic art sculptures where one could stepthrough the looking glass and experience art from analternate universe. Notable pieces were Berlin-based

artist Frank Buchwald’ s “Machine Lights” ; strikingmetallic sculptures by Chinese artist Xia Hang; cheekykinetic creations crafted by UK-based artist-engineerteam Laikingland; and French-born Quentin Carnaille’s

intricate pieces created using thousands of vintagewatch components.

Advertorial


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New upgradesfrom Hempel

With a range of emulsions, enamels and texture

paints, Hempel has launched an upgraded version of

the Topaz range of decorative paints with superior

performance, as well as PureEarth, a five-point

strategy aimed at developing sustainable and eco-

friendly products.

Wall paints and colours have become an intrinsic part of

our lifestyles and an extension of our personalities Paints

and silk gloss finishes which require very low maintenance and

has superior whiteness and colour retention properties All


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our lifestyles and an extension of our personalities. Paints

can affect indoor environments such as homes and offices,

so our choices not only make a significant impact upon

the construction cost but can also influence the health andcomfort of the people using the building.

Hempel’s superior decorative coating range, TOPAZ, has

developed products which offer superior performance

with various finishes and textures. The range offers endless

possibilities with thousands of shades that can be customised

and tinted to meet every client’s choice.

Topaz comes in a wide range of colours to suit your home

styles. The collection comprises a range of emulsions, enamels

and waterborne texture paints and is the perfect choice for those

who appreciate a touch of art and sophistication to their interiors.

The emulsions possess a high scrub resistance, low VOC and help

to restrain spreading of flame in case of fire. The TOPAZ upgraded

emulsions possess opacity, whiteness and colour retention

properties. The TOPAZ texture range is equally good for interior

and exterior and is available in four variants: multi, fine, medium

and coarse. The TOPAZ enamel range is available in matt, gloss

has superior whiteness and colour retention properties. All

the products within the range can be applied through normal

application techniques using widely available application tools.

Hempel supports the cause of sustainable development andhas recently adopted a five-point strategy, Hempel PureEarth,

which underlines Hempel’s commitment towards developing

sustainable and eco-friendly products with zero-VOC green

coatings within the TOPAZ range. TOPAZ Zero is the new green

generation of paints which redefines environmental friendliness,

combining high-performing coatings with VOC-free and

formaldehyde-free technology. TOPAZ Zero offers anti-mould and

anti-bacteria properties, making this product ideal for kitchens,

hospitals, schools and any other environment where there are

strict hygiene regulations. It is 100% pure acrylic, formulated

with no organic solvents. Topaz Zero retains improves the indoor

air quality, giving you the possibility to paint with reduced risk

of asthma-like respiratory problems, skin irritation and allergic

reactions. It also has opacity, washability and colour retention

properties.

GID

CELEBRITY


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THE MAN OF_DETAILS

JAY STRONGWATER, THE EPONYMOUS DESIGNER OF THE BRAND,WAS IN DOHA VISITING HIS PARTNER STORE TANAGRA WHERE

A GROUP OF WOMEN FROM ALLWALKS OF LIFE GATHERED TO SEE THE

NEW JAY STRONGWATER COLLECTION.

“I’m fascinated by the idea of taking everyday objects around usand turning them into jewels for the home,” he says. “Beauty

shouldn’t be tucked in a drawer.” Instead, he’s put it on displaythrough his handcrafted creations. His background as a high-


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Middle East customers are...

appreciative of my love for our strongcolours, patterns and exuberant designswith myriad of intricate details.

My visit to Qatar

can be describedas....

Fast andFabulous

g g gfashion jewellery designer is evident in the details of each piece hecreates. “The canvas is growing and at the end of the day we want

to make beautiful products that captivate everyone,” says thisunpretentious designer. He tells GID a little more about his passion.

Design to

me is ....being able to bring ourdreams to life.

What I loved mostabout the country? Meeting such warm,

wonderful people.

Inspiration

comes from...Taking a walk,through a park,

down a street, in amuseum...

Ibelieve

in.... Love

Advertorial

Colours


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Colours enhance your mood. That’s

why selecting the best paint colours

when painting your favourite room

is important. They have that intuitive

power to improve the quality of life

as well as make your space visually

appealing. The colours that surround us

influence our moods and perceptions

in the most powerful way. They caneither make us feel comfortable or

disconnected. To create a sense of

continuity and harmony throughout

your home, you need a good colour

flow–a balanced colour scheme that

seamlessly connects one space to the

other.

Spring is all about making that fresh

start. inspired by the elements of the

bright season, Jotun has introduced

six colours for a new spin on your

interiors. They are fun and energetic withsophistication and refinement. The colour

palette becomes bolder with lively and

bright colours. The new collection is a

From fun textures

to eclectic colour

groupings, usher in

this spring season bybringing in warmth and

vibrancy with Jotun’s

Spring Summer 2016

Collection.

for the Season

tribute to spring season’s upbeat colours

and combinations that exude positivity

and happiness. Reminiscent of the crisp

scent of the air, warm rays of sunshine

and fresh blooms this range energises

with colourful detailing and floral fabrics,

they can perk up any mood. This will also

appeal to those who believe ‘less is more’,

because when the shades are combined

with white tones or black it gives a very


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Pretty in Pink

Used with metallic tones, like antique

brass or bronze, this fun and fresh shade

of pink is versatile and works very well in

combination with the other colours in the

range. You can add a pop of colour to a

monochromatic set-up with this shade.

Sun-kissed Yellow

Soft and subdued, yellow is often used in

children’s rooms and kitchens to create a

calm, quiet place to begin a new life or to

start the morning. The colour looks best

when merged with Grey or Green.

Sporty Green

A blend of balance and harmony, green

used along with blues and neutral shades

is reminiscent of the serenity of nature,

whereas when used in combination

with bold and dark colours like black

and yellow, it creates the perfect sporty,

outdoor feel.

Jurassic Grey

It is elegant and is a safe choice for

stylish, contemporary interiors or a room

with rural elegance.

Lounge effect

Warm and elegant, the Lounge effect is a

combination of different tones of green.

The colour adds a lot of character and

makes a room come alive.

So capture the change of the seasons and create a refreshing palettein your home with these statement colours from Jotun.

The Spring andSummer collection2016 is available

across all Jotun storesin the region

and fresh blooms, this range energises

the home and gives any space a much-

needed spruce-up.

“There is a tendency in the time that

we want to bring nature into our homes.

Green hues have been in trend for a while,

and now it’s the flowers that are of great

inspiration–both in patterns or even just

as bold colours”, says Lisbeth Larsen,

Global Colour manager and Creative

Director, Jotun. “The Spring/Summer

collection 2016 is youthful and reflects

the shades of the season. When combined

with white tones or black, it gives a very

elegant and sophisticated touch to the

interiors,” added Larsen.

Jotun’s latest interior paint innovation

“Fenomastic My Home Rich Matt” gives

walls personality. It offers a rich colour

experience, providing the most accurate

colour match. Strong colours look soft,

deep colours look rich; it is the perfect

choice for creating beautiful homes and

professional interior design projects.

Rich matt finish is trending and is also a

popular choice.

GID

GLAMOUR


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THE DESIGNER SPACESInterior designer Laura Marino and aWestbourne house designed by her.

THE INTERIOR DESIGNER LAURA MARINO IS ALWAYSPASSIONATE ABOUT THE CRAFT,


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DESIGN

ALCHEMIST

PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CRAFT, BE IT DESIGNING FOR A LARGE CORPORATE

OR FOR A QUAINT INTERIOR SPACE.BY DENISE MARRAY.

GID

GLAMOUR


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Talking to the interior designer LauraMarino is a stimulant; this is becauseher love of all aspects of the craft ofdesigning comes right from the heartand it's easy to gauge her excitementat the myriad possibilities of creatingbeautiful living spaces.

She's used to handling big, commercialprojects in her capacity as co-founderand creative director of Alchemi Group.

What is endearing about Marino isthat she can move from big projects tosmall and personal ones with the sameenthusiasm. When she talks about herown home in Connecticut, USA, you geta feel for the kind of imaginative thoughtprocess that drives her vision.

"In my home I have used realhardwood floors running throughout in a

custom stain. Then I mix a lot of naturalstone and hand-glazed ceramics. I likeauthenticity in materials and hence use alot of handcrafted materials," she said.

The Alchemi Group has beenshortlisted in two categories for the 2016International Design and ArchitectureAwards for Interior Design. WestbourneHouse, one of the award-winningprojects, has a link to Qatar as well, with

the Westbourne House being owned byWestbourne House Ltd, and Qatar FirstBank as the primary investor.

She has an eclectic taste in furniture. "Ilove mixing eras and materials. You canbuild personality through the textures. Iuse a lot of vintage 70s and 80s furniturenow and mix it with some mid-centurymodern. I use classical pieces as well-so that it is not all vintage collectionfrom one particular era. Perhaps someRegency or Georgian furniture mixedwith streamlined modern pieces."

She reveals that she has always beenand remains a big fan of wallpaper.

"I know that wallpaper is having amoment now but I have never seen it asbeing 'out'. There are so many artisansdoing hand-painted wallpapers. Fornatural fabrics, I like to use PhillipJeffries. They have a wonderful rangeand I use a smaller supplier for wallpaper

with textures. For printed, hand-blockedwallpaper I use a lot of SchumacherWallpaper and Brunschwig & Fils. Ilook all over - I am always reading andresearching - there are so many greatmanufacturers and designers."

It's especially interesting talking toMarino because she is happy to talk aboutthe brands and suppliers she favours.She is not the type of person who talks in

flowery generalities, leaving the listenerdrowned in a sea of adjectives. So, forexample, when she talks about carpets or

“I love mixing eras and materials.You can build personality through

the textures. I use a lot of vintage 70sand 80s furniture now and mix itwith some mid-century modern.”

LOVING EACHFRAMELaura Marino’s lovefor materials makesher look deep intodetailing of eachof the materialsto make the best

feature shine.

rugs she imparts useful information."For carpets and rugs I buy a lot of

Jan Kath from Front, London. They areexpensive but absolutely stunning. JanKath started off doing a take on traditionalP i d O i t l t d th

in London, she is f inding the time to workon her own home. She is focusing on herbathrooms right now and is finding joy increating spaces that are a private oasis witha design flair and an element of surprise.

"I i il T ti li t


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Persian and Oriental carpets and thenreinvented them in a modern way– and hecalled that line 'Erased Heritage'. I alsouse The Rug Company," she said.

In Alchemi's recently launched 55Victoria Street project in London, Marinohas used special ceramics and tiles. "I haveused Zellige tiles from Morocco; beautiful,hand-cut terracotta glazed tiles inwonderful colours–really rich jewel tonesas well as more neutral- based colours.

There is such a fantastic range and thespecialty about these particular tiles is thatevery single one is unique because they arehand cut and hand glazed. When you seea full wall of them it is not just one tone–there are variations of tone in whatevercolour you are using. Also, the joints aremuch thinner so you have this wonderfulirregular effect on the wall and it looks asthough it has been there for centuries,"

she observed. At the moment, in additionto working on major development projects

"I am using a silver Travertine limestonewith more of a white background with greyand blue veining in it; I am mixing thatwith navy tiles. I am also using Arabescatoand an Aurora marble which is all whitemixed with a lilac marble. I'm reallyattracted to strong veining and colour; Ithink bathrooms are places where you canshow a lot of personality."

As she put it: "I like to open thebathroom door and be surprised and look

at it like a little jewel box."Marino understands that, for many

people, using an interior designer for thefirst time can be quite daunting. To takethe pressure off the client she is going totake a flexible approach through her soon-to-be-launched Studio L in London.

This will be a separate design studio asa subsidiary to Alchemi offering a diverserange of work, from consultancy, private

residential design, FF&E (furniture,fixtures and equipment) to styling.

THE LIVING ROOMSLaura spends a lot of time on bathroom designas she wants it to reflect a jewel box.

GID GLAMOUR


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58 GLAM INTERIORS + DESIGNERIORS + DESIGN


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LOUDAND

BOLD

D E S I G N S C O M E H O M E

LONDON-BASED FASHION DESIGNER KATIEEARY LOVES FURNITURE ALMOST AS MUCHAS FASHION. THAT IMMEDIATELY MAKES HER

A GID FAVOURITE; WE LOVE DESIGNERSWHO DO NOT LIVE WITHIN CONFINEDBOUNDARIES OF VOCATIONS AND ARECONSTANTLY STRADDLING DIFFERENT

SPHERES OF DESIGN. AND THEN KATIEPARTNERED WITH IKEA, A DANISH DESIGNBRAND THAT WE LOVE FOR ITS SWEEPING

DESIGNS AND AFFORDABLE FORMATS. KATIEPARTNERS WITH IKEA TO CREATE GILTIG, ALIMITED-EDITION COLLECTION THAT IS ALLABOUT LIVING LOUD. WITH THE LAUNCH OFGILTIG, IKEA ENTERS NEW TERRITORY. THECOLLECTION IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF

COLLABORATIONS WITH FASHIONDESIGNERS–AND A WAY FOR IKEA TOEXPLORE NEW WAYS OF THINKING.

GID GLAMOUR

"We can learn a lot from how fashiondesigners work with colours, prints,patterns and shapes. They constantlyhave to re-invent themselves and

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what they do and are used to work

in the forefront of pattern and colourdevelopment", says Henrik Most,Creative Leader, IKEA of Sweden.

As a menswear designer Katie alwayspushes the boundaries–exploring newways of looking at men's wear using uniquepatterns and colour mixes –all madepossible through digital printing. And nowshe has moved with her colourful crazinessinto our homes, an entirely unknown

territory for her."I've learnt loads through working with

IKEA–it's great to see my designs in atotally different context. There's so muchyou can do within home furnishing and somany boundaries to break still", she says.

We ask her what sets GILTIG apart

from other home collections and she says,

"GILTIG is a print-based collection. Theidea of creating something amazing onscreen and knowing it's going to look thesame when you put it on a product is veryappealing to someone like me. Digital printis photo-real–2D-print is just so basic andboring. I want the colour to make the eyeshurt, that's what I always say." With theGILTIG collection she puts her loud and

screaming patterns into a completely newcontext.Since IKEA hadn't defined the GILTIG

products beforehand, Katie grabbed herchance and went straight into the kitchen.From there she worked her way throughthe flat, andended up with acollection that'sbased on a mad

dinner partywith fish that jump off theplates, bowlsthat look youin the eye andcups brimmingwith cats.

Just like with her menswear collections,

her three younger brothers served as hermuses–in this case supported by JohnnyDepp in Fear and loathing in Las Vegas.

“I love dark literature, anythingsort of desperate. There’s no pointpretending misery and poverty

don’t exist.”

"I find inspiration almost everywhere,especially in films and books. I love darkliterature, anything sort of desperate.There's no point pretending misery andpoverty don't exist."

Katie has f irsthand experience when it


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between. But after having seenit, I just had no idea what I couldcontribute with as far as art goes.I didn't want to be an add-on. Iwanted to create my own waves. So,what to do?"

"When I applied for collegeit was a toss-up between designtechnology and fashion. I ended

up doing contour design inLeicester, things like swimwear andunderwear. But I found it too boringand unchallenging so I went to mycourse leader and said that I wanted

to do fashion instead. At the time no one wanted todo menswear, so he said that in that case I had to dothat. And it turns out that I was pretty good at it."

Later, Katie did a Master’s at the Royal Collegeof Art in London. Even before she left Uni, Katie

was making noise. "People weren't doing what Idid. I used fur and glitter, really feminine materials,but in a masculine way. It was new at the time, Isuppose."

Whereas a London fashionista probably woulddescribe her style as glamorous street wear, Katieherself describes her work as "in your face, withthe saturation turned right up." Bold patterns,super-vivid colours and elegant silhouettes are her

trademarks."I'm an image-maker and I like to create the fulllook. I create a world and fill in all the blanks withpatterns." With GILTIG she sees her work in acompletely different context for the first time. Beinga print girl there was no question that this was goingto be a print-based collection. And it's all digital.

"I want people to get excited and feel they justneed to have everything, not out of necessity or forthe function, but because it's so different and so

cool. I'm so excited to bring a bit of vibrancy intopeople's homes. It's fantastic that I can contributewith that bit of personality."

comes to the latter, to an extent at least.

"We were quite poor when I grew up andI always wanted what I couldn't have.Fashion is kind of unavailable, almostotherwordly, and for someone like me, whohad nothing as a kid, it stood for somethingI wanted to be part of." To work with IKEA,or whatever inspiring collaboration is in thepipeline, is a lot about outreach– and in thatsense linked to Katie's own childhood and

youth. "I always think that collaborationis the best way to get my products out tomany people to a reasonable cost. I don'tchoose to have my own prices set as high asthey are, but there's no other way, really."

Another reason for Katie's career pathis a life-changing experience at the 1995Saatchi exhibition featuring DamienHirst and Sarah Lucas. "It completelyblew me away. It was a slap in the face, so

provocative. You either hate an exhibitionlike that or you love it, there's no in-

“Fashion is kind ofunavailable, almost

otherwordly, and forsomeone like me, who had

nothing as a kid, it stoodfor something I wanted to

be part of.”

THE SPACE


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The Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque, or Qatar State Grand Mosque, was builtwith a fascinating mix of traditional Arabic and modern architecture with

sparkling half-moons, a minaret and large open outdoor space.

It has a very modern feel to it with crisp lines and also preserves some of the traditionalIslamic architectural elements. The distinguishing feature of the mosque is the domed

roof. The sandstone facades, building height and ninety smaller domes mimic thebuilding constraints which were present in the early years. The grand mosque is astunning example of architectural magnif icence and landmark construction in Qatar.

A MASTERPIECE

_OF MODERNGRANDEUR


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Glam Interiors + Design - Issue 10, April 2016

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Transcript of Glam Interiors + Design - Issue 10, April 2016