Co-founder and former director of Design Miami Ambra Medda (who also happens to be married to OK Go singer Damian Kulash) is going digital. Her latest venture is L'ArcoBaleno, a design e-commerce site with editorial features which launched June 19.
Medda, co-founder and creative director of the new Berlin-based L’ArcoBaleno, tells us ”L’ArcoBaleno will reflect the entire spectrum of design—that includes collectible objects, but also fashion, food, music, architecture, art, and technology. Our hope is that it will influence the global design conversation, and inspire and engage collectors, curators, and devotees of creative fields."
L’ArcoBaleno is obviously drawing on Medda's passion for exciting contemporary design and her well-earned connections in the design and gallery universe. The shop launched with work from presenting galleries such as Galerie Kreo, Demisch Danant and Galerie Patrick Seguin. And the site's advisory board includes heavy hitters such as designer Tom Dixon, fashion designer Reed Krakoff, publisher Martina Mondadori, musician Pharrell Williams, and gallerist Alexander Dellal.
The site specializes in modern design, offering highbrow furniture (the chaise from Poul Kjærholm, above, lists for $65,000), ceramics, and lifestyle products such as bicycles by Velorapida ($2,260), and sunglasses by Conservatoire International de Lunettes ($360). The emphasis of the Objects section is on gallery-quality design objects and furniture.
While few of us may be ponying up for a Max Lamb Poly Dining Set, we can dig into the site's magazine-style features for free. For launch, Medda interviews designer Tom Dixon, whom she's known since childhood, in the Features section. Destinations is a bit like a global gallery guide. And Designers has bios on everyone the site might be carrying from Yuri Suzuki to Humans Since 1982. The L'ArcoBaleno blog might be our favorite bit, it features a recipe from Alla Carta's Martino Gamper, and endorsements of baskets from Botswana and a studio visit with the great Ana Kras.
So far, so good.
Every spring, titans of the design world convene in Milan to tout their new innovations—some practical, some heady. It looks like 2013 has been a good one. Here are five our favorite pieces shown at Milan 2013.
Tom Dixon’s “Mass” Collection
It’s easy to mistake the tables and shelves in Tom Dixon’s “Mass” collection for wood structures. The pieces, actually crafted from plated copper, feature “chunky” minimalist construction and the joints usually found in large woodworked furniture. According to the designer, the large construction is meant to give the furniture an authoritative role in a room. The collection, which somehow manages to make minimal metal furniture seem rustic, includes a dining table, console, coat stand, and a book stand.
'Slice' stationery holder by James Irvine
James Irvine, who passed away in February, has designed everything from furniture for Muji, to a one-off Mercedes bus for the city of Hanover, Germany. One of his last projects, a desk organizer for Discipline called “Slice” is constructed from a single piece of cork, in line with the company’s eco-minded design. The organizer comes in dark or light cork, and a little bit of the natural world in the office is always a good idea for productivity.
Konstantin Grcic’s “Traffic” Collection
Konstantin Grcic’s “Traffic” collection combines the exoskeleton of modern wire furniture with more traditional upholstery work. The line, produced by Magis, includes an armchair, a two seater sofa, an ottoman, and a chaise lounge. By using such plush upholstery cushions, the line is meant to question typical connotations (cold, uncomfortable) of wire furniture.
Kettal Village outdoor collection by Jasper Morrison
Outdoor furniture is meant to be moved. It also doesn’t hurt if it can be stacked and stored easily. The “Kettal Village” line from Jasper Morrison is an updated version of the classic stackable metal chair meant for use in the home, or commercial settings like outdoor cafe seating. And for longer meals, or just some extra comfort, there’s an optional set of slim-line cushions. The greyscale palatte is a conscious statement by Morrison, who believes outdoor furniture shouldn’t distract from the surrounding scenery.
The Ark of Many Voices
In order to design an instrument for protesters everywhere, designer Marco Monterzino withdrew from commercial work, and instead spent his days in the Occupy London camp. During the protest, Monterzino worked as an apprentice of sorts with the on-site carpenter, learning how to use leftover wood scraps to create impromptu structures. After about a month in the camp he designed his “Many Voices” ark to help protesters solve the problem of amplification. “The Ark of Many Voices” has two roles: it’s a portable megaphone capable of repeating slogans and messages, but it features built-in recording to help archive protests.