The Rhythm of Valextra

The Rhythm of Valextra

The kinetic installation in collaboration with Isabel + Helen for Salone del Mobile 2023

As a largest trade fair for furniture design in the world, Salone del Mobile has always been the benchmark event for design and furnishing. After three years of hiatus, downsizing and rescheduling due to global health crisis, Salone del Mobile is finally back to its original schedule. As the scale also returns to normal, Salone del Mobile and the city of Milan is ready to welcome international visitors and design lovers to come back for this mega design fiesta.

 

Not only do design studios and furniture brands revel in this most acclaimed and anticipated global fair, fashion brands also love to surprise the publics and their clients with exceptional installation arts in collaboration with design firms and artists. As a pioneering Italian luxury leather goods brand born in Milan’s Piazza San Babila, Valextra will not miss the chance to be part of this design carnival. In this edition of Salone del Mobile, Valextra collaborates with London-based design duo Isabel + Helen on an installation The Rhythm of Valextra, rendering kinetic experience of our foundations in engineering beauty.

 

Throughout many decades of the its existence, Valextra’s identity has intertwined with the spirit of Milan. It is not surprising that the brand’s constant inspiration is the city look: from non-trivial architectural combinations and inimitable elegance, to the celebration of engineering beauty to conceive meaningful everyday objects of desire. With Isabel + Helen’s unique and precise vision, Valextra’s distinctive approach of combining function with beauty unfold in front of the viewers eyes. With the kinetic installation, Isabel + Helen tells the story of Valextra, exploring the mechanism and materials chasing simplification and transformation of complex ideas into readable and understandable meanings. Their love for analog design processes transforms Valextra’s perspective and methods into a dynamic exhibition. Successively on different levels from pattern making and technical tools to brushes for hand-painting the signature Costa black lacquered edging the installation symbioses spontaneity and sobriety.

 

The Rhythm of Valextra kinetic installation and multi-sensory experience is exhibited in Valextra’s Milan flagship store, on Via Manzoni 3, during Salone del Mobile 2023.


Text: Yves Tsou, Anna Kovaleva


The Reinvention of Neels Visser

jacket, trousers & sneakers LOUIS VUITTONbracelets PEYOTE BIRD, ring MAPLE, earring EMANUELE BICOCCHI

 

(left) hoody GIVENCHY, shorts NEIL BARRETT, sneakers LOUIS VUITTON, socks FALKE, necklace & earrings EMANUELE BICOCCHI, necklaces & bracelets PEYOTE BIRD, MAPLE

(right) bracelets & necklaces MAPLE, bracelet EMANUELE BICOCCHI

sweater, jeans & sneakers DOLCE & GABBANA, socks FALKEnecklace & bracelets PEYOTE BIRD

top DOLCE & GABBANA, trousers & shoes N°21necklace & bracelet MAPLE, bracelet EMANUELE BICOCCHI

shorts LOEWE, boots GIANVITO ROSSIrings MAPLE, bracelets PEYOTE BIRD

(left) pants DSQUARED2boots CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC, sunglasses CHRISTIAN DIOR, bracelet, necklace & rings MAPLE, bracelet PEYOTE BIRD, necklace & earrings EMANUELE BICOCCHI

(right) shirt & trousers FENDI, pullover & sneakers TOMMY HILFIGERnecklace & bracelets PEYOTE BIRD, rings MAPLEEMANUELE BICOCCHI

 


Talent: Neels Visser (@neels) @Ford Models (@fordmodels)

Photographer: Roman Varlamov (@theromanvarlamov)

Fashion: Nata Bocha (@iamnatabocha)

Hair: Timur Sadyq (@timursadyq)

Makeup: Dmitry Kukushkin (@makeupbydmitry)

Lighting Tech: Gabriel Montagnani (@thisisgraphene)

Charles Letessier (@charles_letessier)

Fashion Assistant: Alena Alifiruk (@_mroya_)

Model Agency: @fordmodels


Melancholic Barranco

long jumper SAKE, skirt MACALO, blazer stylist’s own, shoes STEVE MADDEN

blouse vintage, skirt & skirt as headscarf PEREGRINA, shoes DR. MARTENS

sweater, skirt & pants ASCENDIA, shoes DR. MARTENS

blouse, skirt & gloves SAKE, shoes PARUOLO

dress & skirt ASCENDIA, shoes ZARA

dress PEREGRINA, shoes PARUOLO

tulle as headscarf stylist’s own, skirt as top, skirt & pants ASCENDIA, shoes PARUOLO

Photographer: Alexander Pérez-Flores (@alexanderdiary)

Art Director & Stylist: Lisseli Santos (@lisselisantos)

Make-up: Adrián Rey (@skinfetish002)

Hair: Karina Sian (@atelier.sian)

Producer: Maria Ignacia Schwalb (@dimenacha)

Photo Asisstant: Diego Rojas (@blackdiegoo)

Model: Yamel Quiñonez (@yamel_quinonez) @TTAG connect (@ttagtoconnect)


Beyond Beliefs

top LAMA JOUNI, skirt CHRISTOPHER ESBER

dress NANUSHKA

(left) dress CULT GAIA, shoes L37   (right) dress CULT GAIA, shoes vintage

(left) dress CULT GAIA, shoes L37   (right) dress CULT GAIA, shoes vintage

dress NANUSHKA


Photography: Jakub Pleśniarski (@jakubplesniarski)

Styling: Karol Młodziński (@karolmlodzinski)

Make-up: Aga Wilk (@agawilkmakeup)

Hair: Adrian Własiuk (@adrianwlasiuk)

Set Design: Piotr Piwowar (@dzikidzik)

Post Production: ColorWorkz (@colorworkz)

Model: Glory Olatunji


Dark Side of the Moon

dress BALENCIAGA

dress BALMAIN

dress & gloves MARIJA MARKOVIC

dress ATELIER INDIGO, boots SCHUTZ

dress JIAGI SHEN, boots SCHUTZ

skirt LIZU VEGA, skirt ATELIER INDIGO


Photography & Art Direction: Tommy Chung (@tommychungphotography)

Styling: Waina Chancy (@wainachancy)

Make-up & Hair: Bea Diaz (@beadiazmiami) @Exclusive Artists using MAC Cosmetics

Model: Skarla Ali (@skarla_ali) @Select Models


(untitled) studioberlin

total look stylist’s own

dress MINA HANIM, shoes stylist’s own

dress with hood MINA HANIM, shoes stylist’s own

total look stylist’s own

total look stylist’s own


Photography: Tim Löbbert (@timloebbert)

Styling: Pauline Romy (@romy.pauline)

Hair & Make-Up: Nicola Kurdziel (@nicolakurdziel)

Model: Paola Ming (@paola.ming)


Queen of Hearts

Photography: Katya Teller (@katyateller)

Model: Sophia Voznyak (@svoz)


She Is a Kumiho? Hanja: 九尾狐

knit GENES, pants with laces DELOSANTOS

bra & dress DELOSANTOS, shoes DESIGNIO

Peruvian religious object as bra DELOSANTOS, dress as skirt GENES

blazer DELOSANTOS, earrings DESIGNIO

Photography: Paolo Rally (@paolorally)

Art Direction & Styling: Marte Diaz (@amartediaz), Fabrizio Ricciardi (@_san.serif), Valeria Bustamante (@valeria_killa)

Make-up: Cristina Uceda (@makeupcristina)

Hair: Sken (@sken___)

Production: TTAG (@ttagtoconnect)

Model: Camille Reiss (@camillereiss)


Shameless

cap DANAE MARRA

top MSGM, shorts EMANUELE D’ALESSANDRO, shoes FORBITCHES, rings DANS LES RUES

top, bra & fur hat stylist’s own, skirt & belt DEFAIENCE, rings DANS LES RUES

total look DIESEL, earrings DEFAIENCE

top & pants LAVINIA GAUDIELLO, shoes BOTTEGA VENETA, bag FORBITCHES

total look VERSACE

Photography: Francesco D’Amico (@francescod.amico)

Creative Direction: Federica Centonze, Matilde Cafaro

Styling: Federica Centonze (@centif)

Production: Matilde Cafaro (@itstornado_)

Make-up: Filippo Ferrari (@filippoferrarimk)

Hair: Davide Perfetti (@davideperfetti_)

Photo Assistant: Nunzia Marzano (@nunziamarzano_)

Styling Assistant: Linda Mantovani (@lindorrrrrrr)

Make-up Assistant: Maria Grazia Arcese (@mariagraziaarcese_mua)

Hair Assistant: Alicia Lanzi (@alicia.lanzi)

Talent: Victoria Stella Doritou (@thevictoriastella)


Have You Been Here Before?

top & belt LOUIS VUITTON, skirt & jacket LACOSTE, earring OLE LYNGAARD 

total look CHANEL

dress LOEWE, pants TOOS FRANKEN, socks WOLFORD, shoes PRADA

total look RAF SIMONS

total look PRADA

cap STAND STUDIO, dress CELINE

skirt TOOS FRANKEN, blazer ANN DEMEULEMEISTER

top, belt & shoes LOUIS VUITTON, skirt & jacket LACOSTE, earring OLE LYNGAARD, socks FALKE

skirt TOOS FRANKEN

total look PRADA

Photography: Oriane Verstraeten (@orianeverstraeten_)

Styling: Vincent van Laeken (@vincentvlaeken)

Hair & Make-up: Sanne Schoofs (@sanneschoofs)

Photography Assistant: Sieme Hermans (@_sieme)

Model: Eline Bocxtaele (@elinebocxtaele)