Editor’s picks: 10 designer pieces and collaborations to check out

Stella McCartney’s capsule collection with B&B Italia marks the British fashion designer’s first-ever interiors collaboration. Born out of their shared sustainability values, she and the Italian design company have reimagined Mario Bellini’s Le Bambole armchair with innovative, conscious materials that achieve the chair’s iconic shape, comfort and breathability. Each piece also features intricate hand-drawn “Fungi Forest” print upholstery, pulled from the Stella McCartney summer 2022 runway collection.

Alluring fragrances, like those of the Diptyque’s array of scented candles, hold the remarkable ability to stir emotions, conjure up experiences and set the mood in any space. A new collection from the Maison, called “Les Mondes de Diptyque”, delicately interprets five of the world’s little-known yet truly captivating places in stunning objects by glass furniture designer Cristina Celestino. Each candle is comprised of three stacked tiers and resembles a coloured monolith in a perfect oval, recalling the notable outline of the Diptyque symbol.

Portuguese visual artist Joana Vasconcelos lends her exuberant panache to the Bombom collection by Roche Bobois. Comprising vibrant sofas, rugs and cushions that are suited for both indoor and outdoor use, the range is characterised by fluid, organic forms in the most delectable colourways. Vasconcelos likewise extends an invitation for clients to play co-creator, as the pieces’ shapes and colours can easily be adapted to one’s tastes.

Casa Juan and Rajo Laurel quite literally bring something new to the table with a limited edition tea set and plate collection, bringing Philippine creativity and heritage into every home. The tea sets feature the renowned fashion designer’s sketches of the terno, the Philippines’ national dress. Its concept is reflective of the joy of having tea and coffee with loved ones which, Laurel emphasises, “will never go out of style.”

Art enthusiasts and audiophiles will be awed at this limited edition Sansó x Rega turntable, featuring the Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee Juvenal Sanso’s painting Impact of Creation. The hi-fi audio brand Rega, who has been manufacturing turntables in England for 50 years, partners with Fundacion Sansó to deliver a highly covetable collective with exceptional sound quality. Part of the proceeds of each purchase will go towards grants for students of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.

See also: Stop, Look, Listen: The resurgence of vinyl and sound systems as the heart of our shared spaces

In collaboration with prominent and emerging Filipino artists, family-run sustainable design company Millie Monday has created The Wall Art, a diverse collection of illustrated home products, including wallpaper, canvas frames, and giclée prints. This line-up features over 200 original designs featuring vibrant botanical motifs, all printed using advanced and eco-friendly technology.

British menswear designer Ozwald Boateng draws from his Ghanaian heritage and trademark twist on classic tailoring in this collaboration with Poltrona Frau. Much like Boateng’s fastidiously hand-measured and hand-cut garments, Poltrona Frau’s artisanship is bespoke, innovative and awe-inspiring. Featuring distinctive materials like embossed Nubuck leather and tribal-printed velvet fabric, their joint ‘Culture and Craft’ collection graces the Italian furniture-maker’s iconic design pieces, including the Vanity Fair armchair and complete line of Chester seating.

Plant-based cookbook author Juana Manahan-Yupangco has unveiled a special collection with premium candle creator Kindred Co. Perfect for entertaining, the “Juana’s Table” candles make ideal showpieces by the dining table wherever friends and family are gathered for a feast. Apart from one iteration that’s designed to neutralise kitchen smells, they come in three other scents for distinct occasions and aromas: ‘Brunch’, ‘Fancy Dinner’ and ‘Happy Hour’.

Read also: ‘Home is where the heart is’: Kai Lim gives entertaining tips

Philux, known for their practice of utilising age-old carpentry techniques combined with contemporary methods harnessed over the years, collaborated with local artisans and trades experts to construct their new flagship showroom.

Head designer Jessica Kienle Maxwell remarks, “The new showroom conceptualization and construction project was a special experience. It offered the team, which typically collaborates on designing furniture, a blank canvas to express the feeling of home from the Philux point of view on a larger scale.”

Decked out in a clean but timeless design that highlights the virtuosity of Filipino craftsmanship, the Philux showroom boasts an architrave and accent walls in a venetian plaster style finish. This was done with the help of JVazco, a concrete solutions expert, to add textural elements to the space. Additionally, the showroom houses art pieces made of hand woven abaca textiles by Olivia D’Aboville, an artist and designer known for working with reclaimed materials. Ceramicist and master potter Joey De Castro has contributed to the project with the addition of quality, bespoke wares.

The brand has also collaborated with local artisans from various regions of the country to curate a selection of accessories that are authentically and boldly Filipino. These include marble decor made from the stonework of Romblon craftsmen, ceramic vases from Tarlac, vessels from Ilocos traditionally used for the storage of salt, as well as baskets and other hand woven crafts from Ifugao.

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