Accessories: the time for change is always now
Amini, Le Fil Vert, design Carlotta Fortuna, courtesy Amini
The sector’s excellent performance is a reflection of people buying high-quality, handcrafted, sustainable elements to change the look of their homes. Bosa Ceramiche, HOSOO and Amini take up the story
Francesca Bosa, Art Director at Bosa Ceramics, an internationally renowned crafts leader in ceramic design objects, tells us: “It has been a positive year despite the difficulties, especially with materials like glazes and cardboard. That said, it has not been easy, and the challenges aren’t over either. “Despite this backdrop, we recorded 30% growth and managed to cater to burgeoning demand. Forced to stay home, people realized that, without disrupting things, basically all it takes to change their home is one new item.”
In Bosa’s opinion, these excellent results compared to pre-pandemic numbers are ascribable to a “change in pace... Many of our customers have started buying online, meaning that the growth is general rather than situational.”
Bosa, Smiley, design André Saraiva, courtesy Bosa
When it comes to complements, Bosa’s objects are top sellers because they so easily fit into any situation without requiring a large investment, “much like the right accessories revolutionize an outfit.” The company’s bestsellers are colourful, emotional objects with a message to communicate. “This trend is continuing: people are after fun, colourful things, albeit with an ever-closer focus on quality details and sustainability, something we have been aware of at Bosa for some time now: we’ve been striving to remove minerals from our enamels, even if that means more processing. We are also seeking more sustainable materials and optimizing our kilns to bring down emissions. End-customers are interested in and appreciate all these policies.”
Bosa’s single biggest unveiling at the Salone is Tartaruga Margot. Designed by Alessandra Baldereschi, this new addition to its family of products demonstrates the company’s commitment to animals threatened by climate change and its support for the WWF. Bosa is also teaming up with The Smiley Company, with its spheres among the company’s bestsellers. These small home sculptures are coming out in a limited new edition of pop-inspired colours and bright graphics. Designed by artist André Saraiva, they celebrate the fiftieth birthday of the most famous smiley face in the world: Smiley. All of these new items are being showcased on a colourful stand that conveys the spirit of the new collection. Dedicated to love, “its focus is on new products by Jaime Hayon, and Nika Zupanc’s tea love-themed collection.”
HOSOO, Heritage Nova collection, courtesy HOSOO
The Salone will also see the HOSOO brand, founded in Kyoto in 1688, making its Fair debut. “We are thrilled to be exhibiting at Salone del Mobile for the first time this June, with a dynamic stand installation designed by long-term HOSOO collaborators, Copenhagen-based, interdisciplinary studio OEO Studio. OEO Studio has created an installation space that truly embodies HOSOO’s spirit of never-ending innovation, with a setting that alludes to both Japanese and Nordic culture and design,” explains Masataka Hosoo, CEO and President of the brand.
“We will be showcasing a selection of innovative fabrics, including the new Heritage Nova collection, as a well as selection of textiles inspired by nature, art, geography and architecture. Each textile celebrates the ancient craft of Nishijin and HOSOO’s unrivalled reputation as a Japanese craft leader. We will also be displaying textiles like Sediment, Starry Indigo, Foliage and Mesh to name but a few.” According to Masataka Hosoo, the brand’s focus on craft excellence generates a vision that inspires its creations. “HOSOO has a 1,200-year heritage in Nishijin weaving. Building on this, we are constantly evolving and pushing the textile-making envelope. Thanks to our unrivalled high levels of craftsmanship and fine weaving techniques, combined with meticulous selection of materials, design and blends, we have developed the perfect combination of hemp and silk to create our Heritage Nova collection.” The brand’s latest collection is of twelve innovative fabrics created using a specially developed technique that for the first time makes it possible to blend silk and hemp. All of these results are made possible by the company’s solidity. “As for many companies, business-as-usual was impacted by the pandemic in 2020. It was a challenging time, but HOSOO as a brand has continued to develop, realizing business growth of ca. 130% in 2021.”
Amini, Le Fil Vert, design Carlotta Fortuna, courtesy Amini
CEO Ferid Amini tells us that Amini shares this vision of excellence. “The Amini rug world has always pursued an innovation-led strategy, making medium-to-long-term investments in quality and design,” he says. “Amini’s collections have always been knowledge-driven, leveraging passed-down tradition, craft expertise and know-how to ensure that each rug is a unique piece, for example the Le fil vert collection made of 100%-recycled PET yarn which respects nature and uses natural, renewable materials. For Amini, it’s not about following trends but building on the quality and tradition of timeless rugs. From the company’s results, it would seem that tradition has its fans. “Twenty twenty-one brought excellent results for Amini, notably 25% growth over pre-Covid 2019, driven by excellent export performance and strong, sustained growth in Italy.”
As part of this vision, at the upcoming Salone del Mobile Amini is presenting new collections by the masters of design long in its catalogue, alongside new collections by contemporary designers and architects who have worked with the brand for a number years. Amini says: “We will be unveiling Composition 1957, a new knotted, pure wool rug from Manlio Rho, as part of our ongoing commitment to use precious and natural materials, interpreting the great masters of Italian design and bringing them into the home and interior design projects.”
Check out the previews of the products that will be unveiled at the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2022
