Gucci unveils five iconic furniture pieces for its debut Design Ancora collection

Five iconic furniture pieces have entered the world of Gucci through the Design Ancora project. The color red, the signature hue of Sabato De Sarno, the creative director of the Kering’s Maison, emerges as a recurring motif for the reinterpretation of these historical pieces, carefully selected by co-curator Michela Pelizzari, finding a new expression in the brand’s flagship store at via Montenapoleone 7.

Among them are Storet by Nanda Vigo, originally designed for Acerbis in 1994 and reimagined in 2020; the Parola lamp by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for FontanaArte in 1980; Mario Bellini’s Le Mura sofa for Tacchini (originally designed in 1972 and reimagined in 2022); Tobia Scarpa’s Opachi vase for Venini (1960-2021); and Clessidra, a carpet by cc-tapis inspired by architect Piero Portaluppi’s original design and reimagined with the Portaluppi pattern project by Nicolò Castellini Baldissera, his great-grandson. These pieces symbolize a journey through micro-ecosystems envisioned by Spanish architect Guillermo Santomà.

«Through Design Ancora, Gucci not only celebrates historical icons but also creates new ones», the Co-Curator explained. She meticulously selected pieces designed by grand masters that symbolize the pinnacle of Italian design’s golden age, as well as the relationship between artists and enterprises at the core of this sector. The first-floor space has undergone a radical transformation, with walls completely covered in lime green, a color chosen by creative director Sabato De Sarno to complement the now-iconic Rosso Ancora. This interplay of colors dissolves boundaries, creating a metaphysical ambiance in which each object represents an idea rather than a product. «I have always been fascinated by the relationship between architecture and objects, and in this case, we began with the content to shape the container», architect Guillermo Santomà explained to MFF. He envisioned a fluid space where architectural references disappear, shadows dissolve, and the ceiling serves as a continuous source of light.

«The red of the furnishings made it necessary to select a color that would either seamlessly continue the chromatic theme or provide a striking contrast. We ultimately chose green, red’s complementary color», he explained. «The installation resembles a labyrinth, where visitors move and lose their bearings. As a result, the objects within serve as the guiding thread throughout the experience. Essentially, the place does not exist without the objects. Perhaps the greatest challenge was completely reimagining it. It is never easy to redefine something, erasing the original impression one had upon entering».

Santomà’s main focus was on observing the furnishings and their manufacturing process. «We decided to explore how furniture pieces like sofas, carpets, vases, or lamps are industrialized because this process defines their character, even in relation to space». This same approach was mirrored in the store’s window displays. In one of them, a pair of limited-edition Gucci Club3d sneakers, featuring 3D-printed elements and the Maison’s Demetra material, elegantly float and rotate. In another, a 3D printer is showcased as a unique piece, personally customized by the Architect. The Design Ancora collection is now available for purchase both in Gucci’s physical stores and online. (All rights reserved)