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Kartell Work in Process at Milan Design Week

Kartell Patricia Urquiola Foliage Work in Process

Kartell’s Salone del Mobile stand showcased an iconic range of products, deconstructed. Every phase of the creative process was on show, from initial sketches, through prototyping to the final manufactured products.

Patricia Urquiola Foliage Kartell Work in Process Milan

Products from Philippe Starck, Piero Lissoni, Ferruccio Laviani, Patricia Urquiola, Tokujin, Yoshioka, Mario Bellini, Ferruccio Laviani, Eugeni Quitllet and Rodolfo Dordoni were included in the exhibition. I have chosen the Foliage chair and sofa from Patricia Urquiola to follow.

Patricia Urquiola Foliage Kartell Work in Process Milan

Brands are often very protective and secretive about what goes on behind the scenes, especially big brands like Kartell, so this exhibition was a bold move, and very exciting to see for anyone who is interested in the mechanics of the design process.

Patricia Urquiola Foliage Kartell Work in Process Milan

Patricia Urquiola’s Foliage range was inspired by nature, and intended to look as if each piece simply “grew” from plastic, with “leaves” resting on a framework of “branches.” Seeing the design process like this makes you realize how much more complicated it is than that to create something which ends up looking so simple.

Kartell Patricia Urquiola Foliage Work in Process Milan

The seats are made from polyurethane foam padding with quilted fabric upholstery, and the legs from tubular painted iron. I loved seeing all the markings and comments on the prototypes where they were being adjusted until they were just right.

Patricia Urquiola Kartell Work in Process Milan

I think by revealing so much of what goes into the design and manufacturer of a product, Kartell has actually been very clever. It’s only by understanding the process and the effort it takes to bring products like these to life, that people will appreciate their true value.

Patricia Urquiola Kartell Work in Process Milan

The top-stitched embroidery covers the entire surface, including the back, to make sure it looks gorgeous from any angle.

Patricia Urquiola Foliage Kartell Work in Process Milan

And it’s now joined by a smaller, and very cozy, armchair. Both come in a choice of  yellow, green, turquoise, red, grey, black or brown upholstery with legs in white, black, red or acid green. I want a yellow one with acid green legs!

Patricia Urquiola Foliage Kartell Work in Process Milan

Our trip to Milan was supported in part by Airbnb.com.

Katie Treggiden is a purpose-driven journalist, author and, podcaster championing a circular approach to design – because Planet Earth needs better stories. She is also the founder and director of Making Design Circular, a program and membership community for designer-makers who want to join the circular economy. With 20 years' experience in the creative industries, she regularly contributes to publications such as The Guardian, Crafts Magazine and Monocle24 – as well as being Editor at Large for Design Milk. She is currently exploring the question ‘can craft save the world?’ through an emerging body of work that includes her fifth book, Wasted: When Trash Becomes Treasure (Ludion, 2020), and a podcast, Circular with Katie Treggiden.