Fashion meets Design Miami

Fashion loves design. In Miami, this year more than ever, fashion breaks into the calendar of events, debuts, and previews related to furniture. And it does so with its disruptive style, catalyzing the attention of Miami Art Basel and Design Miami/ on novelties and strong messages. Such as the one of Giorgio Armani, which today celebrates with a cocktail at the boutique the Love collection, a limited edition of gender-neutral garments and accessories, the launch of which is complemented by four large blue sculptures by Marcantonio placed at strategic points in the Design district, part of an interactive experience designed to directly engage the public. The statues, representing impossible pairs of animals, convey an assumption: «They are able to do what we do with difficulty, to love what is different, beyond the natural logic of survival, beyond the concept of prey and hunter, strong and weak, big and small, beyond species», Marcantonio explained.

Another message that has already become iconic is the one from Bottega veneta, making its debut at the exhibition with the project created with Gaetano Pesce. The 400 colored-resin chairs that marked the spring-summer 2023 fashion show in Milan will in fact be on display inside the kermesse. A selection of the Come stai? chairs will also be on sale and are the centerpiece of a book commissioned by the maison, of which there will be a special book signing tomorrow from 4 to 6 pm Est, at the exhibition space. In anticipation of the appointment, however, an image combining fashion and art, design and milestones, has already been previewed. Super top model Kate Moss is the chosen protagonist of a special shot portraying her naked on one of Pesce’s signature chairs. A portrait of strong evocative power that sanctions the bond the brand is forging with art and furniture as a unique piece.

Another debut is that of Dolce&Gabbana, which is sanctioning its first collaboration with Design Miami/ bringing new themes from the home collection here, staged in the Luxury living group store which produces the line. Alongside the prints that defined the division’s first drop, launched in 2021, are now 24-carat gold patterns that pay homage to the opulence of the Baroque, the splendor of that historical moment, and the surfaces of the furnishings. In particular, to the wavy effect, which owes its uniqueness to extraordinary handwork rooted in Italy’s great craftsmanship tradition. Another theme is that of the D&G logo, a graphic sign that has always characterized the brand’s creations and encapsulates its history and identity. Along with the home collection, the brand brings its high jewelry to Florida with an installation at the fair, revealing the maximum creative expression of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, enhancing the talent of Italian master goldsmiths. Also scheduled for december 2 is a panel, presented by the brand, that will explore the history of high jewelry and its place in fashion today.

Among the established presences, on the other hand, is that of Fendi, which renewed its participation in collaboration with Lukas Gschwandtner, a young Austrian talent who presents Triclinium, a work that reflects on how museums are experienced today and how ancient surfaces such as those in the city of Rome are read. In addition, the label opens its first Fendi casa flagship store in the heart of Design district, confirming a strategy aimed at expanding the home division in key markets such as the US and Asia, where the first boutique will open in 2023, in Shanghai. Comeback also for Saint Laurent, present with an exhibition designed and curated by Madonna with Anthony Vaccarello, celebrating the reissue by the Rive droite line of Sex, the 1992 book featuring the pop star's daring shots signed by Steven Meisel, now reproduced in large format and displayed in a temporary gallery on the beach. Meanwhile, Stone Island chose Miami to close its 40th anniversary celebration. For the brand founded in 1982 and now in Moncler’s portfolio, a party is planned tonight at the Rc cola plant in the Wynwood art district, where a light installation will provide the backdrop for performances by O.bee, Tomas Station and special guest Jamie xx.

At the fair, reflection on the relationship with nature is reaffirmed as a red thread with the champagne maison Perrier-Jouët, which commissioned designer Garance Vallée to interpret its lounge. Debuting at Design Miami/, Buccellati repurposes the exhibition «Galateo. A journey into conviviality», which was already on display at the last Milan design week, hosting a cocktail and gala dinner this evening, whose protagonists will be Double ruche - Florence furnace porcelain, born from the partnership with Ginori 1735, combined with the maison’s unique silver pieces. The jeweler part of the Richemont group thus continues its collaboration with Stefano Boeri interiors, which in Miami has created a structure of reflective walls in an immersive environment where the interior designs unveiled in Milan by Dimore studio, Ashley Hicks, Kahan Minassian and Patricia Urquiola will be digitally revived. Blazé Milano is also heading to Florida on the occasion of Art basel. Through tomorrow, in Curio’s spaces at Faena bazaar, the brand's made-to-order division will set up a trunk show during which it will be possible to create a custom blazer, while tomorrow evening the location will come alive for a cocktail party along with Curio’s founders and New York gallerist Nicola Vassell, a longtime friend of Blazé’s founders, to celebrate the label's presence in Miami and the US.

Also tomorrow night, Ami will hold a cocktail reception at Innovation gallery for the opening of the photography exhibition «Family», created in collaboration with Magnum. Two video artists and 13 members of the famous agency have been commissioned by Alexandre Mattiussi to interpret the theme of family, for a traveling project, which after its launch in Paris marks its second stop in Miami and will also be available in a book published by Flemmarion. Maison Margiela, meanwhile, will unveil a limited edition of the iconic Glam slam bag, available exclusively at the brand’s store in the Design district, while B&B Italia will celebrate the launch of the capsule collection by Stella McCartney’s «Le bambole» for the brand (see article above). Starting tomorrow, the brand’s store windows will host the Bambola armchair and the Granbambola sofa in a set up that emphasizes their Fungi forest print and eco-responsible construction. Also on the topic of sustainability, on December 1, Boffi|De Padova will present in the showroom on 40th St. the Everyday life capsule, created by Paul Smith for De Padova using hemp for upholstery and an organic material for padding. During the evening, the focus will also be on Rachel Eshkol’s jewelry and Carousel fine art collection promoting artist Eric Alfaro. (All rights reserved)