DESIGNERS SPOTLIGHT
19 July 2024, Singapore — Many designers made their presence felt at Salone del Mobile 2024 through their innovative creations. For W. Atelier, the brands we represent include many renowned designers who have made an indelible mark in the furniture industry. Here is the spotlight on critical designers from Lema, Vitra and Cassina.
Piero Lissoni
The multi-hyphenate individual needs no introduction. Piero Lissoni is a preeminent architect, product designer, and creative director for many Italian brands. Lissoni's work started in 1994 at Lema. Founder of the Lissoni & Partners Studio, his studio produces many memorable furniture pieces marked by rigour and simple aesthetics. Piero Lissoni has received many awards, including the Good Design Award, the Red Dot Award and the ADI Compasso d'Oro. Over the years, he has designed countless projects for Lema and, as art director, coordinates the development and updating of all the modular systems and Lema Casa collections together with OfficinadesignLema.
For 2024, Lissoni designed two hinged wardrobe designs, "Domo" and "Eclisse", for Lema. Domo's horizontal frame has a groove handle—a two-dimensional aesthetic feature that reveals its nature only when approached. Designed with contemporary lines, this heat-treated oak, charcoal, or open-pored lacquered wardrobe is customisable in height, width, and depth.
On the other hand, Eclisse is a design inspired by light and shadow. The hinged door is characterised by a circular handle carved into the door. With a choice of matt or glossy finish, Eclisse's stylistic nature welcomes light by creating a play of shadows akin to an eclipse. There is a wide range of finishes, such as matt lacquered or tone-on-tone, in contrast with the door to create personal colour combinations.
Philippe Starck
Philippe Starck, a towering figure in the furniture industry, has left an indelible mark on many household products, furniture pieces, interior projects, and hotels. For 2024, Starck envisioned a unique seating collection for Cassina. It is also Starck’s 30th-anniversary collaboration work with Cassina; therefore, to celebrate this important milestone, he created an elegant and eclectic new collection for the sleeping area, consisting of a bed, a family of armchairs and ottomans and a rug.
However, the 'Somewhere EL-S' seating collection stands out. The seating system is crafted with haute couture techniques and features distinctive tailoring reminiscent of a handbag or suitcase. Offered in three sizes: an armchair and three different ottoman sizes, the collection's saddlery work, eye-catching embellishments with metal elements, and arresting patterned upholstery create a visual distinction that is truly inspiring.
Barber & Osgerby
Though not a household name, the British design duo has significantly contributed to the design world. From designing the 2012 Olympic Torch to creating colourful, industrial-inspired luggage for Rimowa, the duo's versatility is truly impressive. Their work in the furniture realm is equally respected.
For Vitra, the pair designed the 'Mikado' dining chair, a new archetype for the Swiss-based furniture company. The chair's unique backwards-tilt movement, made possible by a mechanism hidden under the seat, allows users to move fluidly between positions calibrated for engagement and relaxation. The chair's compact footprint and removable covers for easy cleaning or replacement further showcase the duo's versatility.
About W. Atelier
W. Atelier is a purveyor of luxury home furnishings and accessories in Singapore. This homegrown brand has a history dating back to 1979 when it was first established as the exclusive distributor of TOTO, a household name in sanitary ware and bathroom fixtures. W.Atelier enabled Singapore, homeowners, to experience innovative Japanese bathroom technology through signature TOTO products such as the WASHLET, an electronic toilet seat with a water-cleansing system. Since 2010, W. Atelier rapidly expanded to include an international array of home furnishing products from Italian furniture to German kitchens and Scandinavian furnishings to Spanish lighting. With an eye for detail and design, W. Atelier prides itself as a curator of fine objects that are richly steeped in history and tradition yet timeless and elegant. As such, every addition to W. Atelier’s portfolio is carefully selected, making it possible for customers to own some of the most iconic products in design history –products that have shaped the very history of design and will continue to set trends in time to come, such as the Egg chair from Fritz Hansen and the Panton Chair from Vitra.
The expansion of W. Atelier’s offerings from the bathroom to the rest of the home is borne of the Japanese philosophy of “Kaizen” or continuous improvement. In line with W. Atelier’s commitment to improvement and quality, every brand added to its portfolio is a recognised leader in its respective industry. Ultimately, the wide selection of products from W. Atelier provides consumers the convenience of furnishing their homes from a single location. To date, W. Atelier proudly carries more than a dozen global brands for a variety of products that include bathroom suites, system kitchens, furniture, lighting, and accessories. By leveraging over 40 years of experience and carrying such prominent brands, W. Atelier is the expert in providing friendly advice and top recommendations to suit any customer’s style, be it classic, contemporary, or minimalistic.
Find W. Atelier online at:
Website: http://www.watelier.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WAtelierSG
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/WAtelier
For media enquiries, please contact:
Joseph Lim
joseph@mistercalico.co
WA: +65 9800 6870
Miacarla Ng
W.Atelier
miacarla.n@watelier.com
WA: +65 9792 3182