The Riviera’s take on slow design
In their studios in the south of France, these talented creators draw, design and imagine. Most importantly, they are rethinking the design process and use of materials by producing unique pieces in strictly limited editions that harness local know-how and inspiration.
By Julie de los Rios
Iammi
B-Fora is a contemporary reinterpretation of a Greek amphora that reveals its B side, which has been concealed under robes for centuries. The iconic piece is transformed in a modern, ironic way by Portuguese designer Nicolau dos Santos, and Italian-French art director Stéphanie Blanchard. The duo are driven by the desire to create unique pieces, and launched Iammi in 2019. B-Fora, winner of the A’Design prize in 2021, has evolved in spirit and comes in a range of materials, from ceramics to 3D printing. The team’s next project is La Spada nella Roccia, a collection of 12 sculptures consisting of a small glass sword made in Antibes, driven into a block of raw stone.
B-Fora, 290 € ; 350 € en version bleu Klein
iammi.eu - Instagram : @iammi.iammi
Mattina Moderna
The mission of Mattina Moderna is to promote local know-how, collaborate with the region’s finest artisans, and design unique, bespoke objects in ultra-limited editions in their Nice studio. The Ombrellina lamp, featuring a Tonkinese-style shade and available in four colours that mix brights and pastels, is created and hand-painted in Antibes, and produced in a strictly limited edition of around twenty pieces.
Ombrellina, 4 coloris, 635 € - mattinamoderna.com
Instagram : @mattinamoderna
Lume
“A mother-daughter project so we don’t have to cut the cord.” This is what drives Nice-based duo Jeanne and Axelle, who are unveiling their collection of candles this summer inspired by their visits to the museum. The collections are designed like exhibitions: permanent and temporary for the capsule collections. The first, Balade Méditerranéenne, pays tribute to artists from the south, either by birth or choice, and presents candles handcrafted in their Nice studio, designed like works of art on canvas. The accompanying candle holders are made in Vallauris by artisans who are passionate about their craft.
Bougie Lume, Balade méditerranéenne, 34 € (bougeoir inclus)
Instagram : @lume_nice
bonjour@lume-nice.com
Neolithique marbre
When designer Dominique Trapp entered the Marbrerie Provençale in Cagnes-sur-Mer, located not far from his home, he discovered a stockpile of stones, marble and granite that was about to go to the recycling centre. A discussion with the owner, Denis Rocrieux, fuelled the desire to develop objects using upcycled rocks, giving new life to stones that had already been extracted but remained unused. In his workshop by the sea, Trapp designs desk tidies, trays, candelabras and bookends: minimalist pieces with a reduced environmental footprint – often positive – that are by nature unique or in limited editions. It’s another way of thinking about material.
neolithique.fr - Instagram : @neo.lithique
Côteweb 2021, création de site Internet sur Nice