• images courtesy of Hermès

    Hermès at La Pelota – A Poetic Vision of Home

    Written by Jahwanna Berglund by Zohra Vanlerberghe

    Hermès Illuminates Milan Design Week 2025 with a Poetic Exploration of Objects and Emotion.

    During Milan Design Week 2025, Hermès made a captivating return to La Pelota, unveiling a new scenography by Charlotte Macaux Perelman and Alexis Fabry, the artistic directors of Hermès Maison. Once again, the maison invited guests into a space where design transcends function and where objects become carriers of memory, feeling, and light.

    This year’s installation presents the new Collections for the Home in an ethereal setting: white, almost colorless boxes suspended in midair, casting bold, saturated hues onto the vast hall's floor. These colorful reflections, intangible, fleeting, and deeply atmospheric that create a luminous aura that gives each object a near-emotional presence. In this dreamlike world, objects do not just exist, they appear, like echoes of imagined interiors and intimate moments.

    The scenography poses a subtle question: What objects do we choose to spotlight in our homes and why? Hermès encourages visitors to reconsider how we frame the items we live with, how design informs our personal narrative, and how the aura of an object can live on long after its first impression.

    Highlights from the new collection include:

    Mouth-blown glassware, like the striking Vase Doublé and Jug Doublé, crafted through multi-layered casing techniques.

    The Side Table Pivot, a playful yet precise design by Tomás Alonso, blending lacquered glass and Japanese cedar wood.

    Oversized cashmere throws adorned with gold powder and geometric appliqués, blurring the line between textile and artwork.

    The new Dinner Service “En Contrepoint” by Nigel Peake, turning porcelain into rhythm and repetition.

    These pieces will be available starting Autumn 2025, with select items launching in 2026.

    Once again, Hermès proves that its vision of design is not defined by trends, but by emotion, craftsmanship, and timeless imagination.

    images courtesy of Hermès
  • photographer Rasmus Lindahl



     

    A Botanical Dialogue in Clay: Sam Baron on Designing Blossom for Mateus

    Written by Fashion Tales

    When French designer Sam Baron first partnered with Mateus, it marked the beginning of a creative exchange that would blend tradition with experimentation, Scandinavian sensibility with Mediterranean warmth. Now, with the launch of the new Blossom collection, Baron continues his exploration of form, function, and florals, this time through hand-painted ceramics that feel both poetic and refreshingly modern.

    Known for his ability to weave cultural references and craftsmanship into objects with lasting emotional resonance, Baron shares his thoughts on evolving the visual language of Mateus, the inspiration behind Blossom, and why true collaboration always begins with curiosity and conversation.

    Your work often combines traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary aesthetic. How would you describe your design philosophy?
    My creative process often begins with image collages, a method that allows me to bring together visual and conceptual references from various influences to create unexpected connections. These sources may come from specific project research, but mostly from my personal culture, constantly enriched by curiosity and observation. The goal is to find a balance between these inspirations to create something rooted and contemporary, expressing a unique vision for the brand I collaborate with.

    You've worked with some of the world’s leading brands. What draws you to a project, and what makes a collaboration meaningful?
    Of course, the design brief is important. But equally important is the brand’s universe and the people behind it. I love working on projects that explore new territory and allow me to meet people with genuine passion. A meaningful collaboration is about developing a shared language together creating products that reflect that shared space. Creativity is about stepping out of your comfort zone and taking the risk of creating something new.

    Your work with Mateus has led to three collections MSY, Flowers, and now Blossom. How has the relationship developed, and what was your creative vision for Flowers?
    I knew Mateus for its reputation and quality well-respected in the industry. Together with Costas from Yatzer.com, I was invited to design a collection to mark the brand’s 25th anniversary. Since then, I’ve stayed in close contact with Teresa and Filippa, especially since I live in Portugal and we often cross paths at international design fairs.
    With Flowers, the idea was to renew Mateus' aesthetic by blending colors not only across pieces but within individual items. I explored multicolored floral patterns, a universal symbol rooted in all cultures, from rural crafts to royal ornaments. The collection mixes the familiar with a fresh rhythm and vibrant visual compositions.

    Mateus emphasizes hand-painted ceramic work. How did this influence your design process?
    Visiting the factories, I was struck by the commitment to craftsmanship. Every product is created with care and attention. Being a ceramic painter at Mateus means mastering a unique texture while also using artistic skill to make each piece expressive and decorative. We designed the Blossom motif to let each artisan apply it in their own way, preserving a sense of charm, skill, and elegance.

    Teresa Mateus Lundahl often calls you “the neighbor in Portugal.” How has your personal relationship with her influenced the collaboration?
    We’re in constant dialogue and try to meet whenever she’s in Portugal visiting the workshops, her family, or friends. Sometimes it’s a drink in Paris or lunch in Milan during fairs. We often share images or places that might inspire one another along with Filippa’s kids' photos, which Teresa loves to send!

    You previously designed Flowers, and now Blossom is launching. How do the two collections complement each other?
    They’re like chapters in a botanical story, different species and colors that appear with the seasons. The new pieces were designed to mix effortlessly with past collections and Mateus bestsellers. We carefully worked with form and palette to allow for layered, personal tablescapes.

    The hand-painted motif in Blossom resembles lilies. Was that intentional?
    They may look like lilies, but they’re actually not! It’s more a dance of petals, stems, and pistils giving a lively, decorative feel. The blue and green tones on the white glazed surface evoke a fresh, nature-inspired tone. We treated the plates like blank paper painting new, poetic flowers while nodding to classic ceramic wreaths.

    The MSY collection celebrated Mateus’ 25th anniversary. What inspired its design?
    Together with Costas Voyatzis, we wanted to honor Mateus’ DNA: functional ceramics with bold color. Coming from different cultural backgrounds, Greek and French, we sought a universal visual language. Inspired by antique vessels, monastery bowls, and medieval forms, we added texture that feels hand-touched, highlighting light and shadow, and giving the monochrome glazes a new vibrancy.

  • image courtesy of Dolce&Gabbana

    Dolce&Gabbana Unveils the New Eyewear SS25 ADV Campaign

    Written by Fashion Tales

    Dolce&Gabbana presents the new ADV campaign for the Eyewear SS25 collection, an authentic expression of the brand’s DNA. Shot by photographer Karim Sadli and with art direction by creative duo Kevin Tekinel & Charles Levai, founders of Maybe, the campaign comes to life through dynamic and intense shots, enhancing each model’s magnetic appeal.

    In the videos, a mosaic of faces, expressions and personalities are woven into a sophisticated visual narrative in which the minimalism of the background emphasizes each individual’s uniqueness and the distinctive character of Dolce&Gabbana eyewear. Bold designs, sophisticated frames, sleek details and the unmistakable DG Crossed logo: each model tells a story of craftsmanship and innovation, designed for those seeking a unique and distinctive style.

    The Eyewear SS25 collection will be available from March 2025 in Dolce&Gabbana boutiques, at www.dolcegabbana.com and at top EssilorLuxottica opticians and retailers worldwide.
     

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