Called Wallpaper* Wallspace, the new store will present Wallpaper’s global edit of the best new design for the home, focusing on the kitchen, tabletop and home office. All items have Wallpaper’s seal of approval and will be available to purchase with prices ranging from €6 to €360.
Wallpaper* editor in chief Tony Chambers (pictured) says: “Scouring the globe to discover the best new designers, brands and products is what Wallpaper* does best, so a retail venture like this is the natural next step. Wallspace* brings the intelligence and trained eye of the magazine direct to the consumer.”
Wallpaper* publishing director Gord Ray adds: “Wallpaper* is an authority on design and the launch of this Wallpaper* shop is an ideal way to extend the brand. It’s especially pleasing to be working in partnership with the iconic La Rinascente and to be part of its new Design Supermarket.”
To source items for the new store, Wallpaper’s team, including international correspondents, hit the world’s best fairs, took in degree shows, visited design studios and went the extra mile to uncover the new, exceptional and directional in the world of design.
Wallpaper’s store opens on 10 November 2009 and offers products from all corners of the world. These include: Harri Koskinen’s ‘Foldedlight’, self-produced in Finland; Japanese electronics from Naoto Fukasawa’s Plus Minus Zero brand; Jia Inc’s ‘Ding’ slow cooker from Hong Kong; Alexa Lixfeld’s porcelain ‘Ricebowls’ from Germany; Hasan Demir Obuz’s ‘Sade’ glasses by Ilio from Turkey; D.lab’s ‘Pencil Block’ from Singapore’s Design Incubation Centre; and Singgih Susilo Kartono’s handmade ‘Wooden Radio’ for Magno in Java, Indonesia. Italian-made products include the ‘Railo’ magazine rack by Mikko Laakkonen for Casamania; Konstantin Grcic’s ‘Accento’ cutlery for Serafino Zani; mirrors by Nestor Perkal for Oscar Maschera; and David Chipperfield’s Tonale range for Alessi.
About Wallpaper*
IPC Media says: “Truly international, consistently intelligent and hugely influential, Wallpaper* is the world’s most important design and style magazine. It has attracted the most sophisticated global audience by constantly pushing into new creative territories and ensuring its coverage of everything from architecture to motoring, fashion to travel, interiors to jewellery remains unrivalled. Wallpaper* has readers in 93 countries and has enjoyed unparalleled success in reaching the design elite right across the globe. To Wallpaper*, the world is one seamless marketplace, where consumers flit from one destination to the next, easily cross physical borders and cultural divides and flirt with a variety of different brands, both established and undiscovered. With 12 themed issues a year and a limited-edition cover by a different artist or designer each month, Wallpaper* has evolved from style bible to internationally recognised brand.”
