Made in Italy: Kartell
To them comes to mind when speaking of "Made in Chile", "Made in Peru", "Made in Argentina", "Made in Mexico" etc? Associated with those labels that concept? Clearly the message?
Here in Italy the "Made in Italy" is sacred. Everyone knows that means pride and live with that philosophy as well as design firms such as Kartell, Arflex, Cassina, Techno, Boffi, Gavina, Elam, Flos, Artemide, B & B Italia, Zanotta, AnonimaCastelli, Abet Laminati, Gruppo Guzzini , Poltronova, Driade, De Padova, Flou, Gruppo Molteni, Alessi, Cappellini, Luceplan, Alias, FontanaArte, Moroso, Magis and Poltrona Frau will also coincide in the same ... quality, quality and quality.
I got my hands on the book "La fabbrica design" where are all interviewed entrepreneurs who have brought forward these enterprises. I look forward to the book, visit their showrooms and their websites to convey what you are doing well and hopefully better understand what is behind a quality design ...
Kartell is leading in the production of plastic furniture forefront ... but seriously.
Founded in 1949 by Giulio Castelli chemical with the idea of "gladden the domestic landscape" of Italians after the Second World War was the only thing they wanted to replace their old furniture and gray.
What does a chemist with the design of furniture ... a lot. Each piece of furniture that takes place on average 2 years of development and is the result of a laboratory where it tested the latest advances in the development of plastics. Each design goes through a process of trial and error where they are going to calibrate the chemical, temperature and time casting for a beautiful and durable product.
In the beginning there was talk of Kartell not yet proposed design and make things "beautiful" was not within the priorities and even sounded absurd in an era marked by war. Therefore, since it was initially proposed to innovate in the field of production and resource economics, defying the traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic challenge any trial.
Kartell of the present era began in 1987 with the chair Dr. Glob marking the beginning of cooperation between Philippe Starck and refocusing towards the quality of the design developed by the new company president Claudio Luti (son of the founder Giulio Castelli).
After finishing with the franchise that had delivered production in United States, Japan, Brazil and South Africa again today to produce in Italy. They know perfectly well that can produce more cheaply in other countries but over time have realized that the know-how that is generated between designers and manufacturers working together, creates a wealth of knowledge in the development of new products.
Many of his furniture was exhibited at the MOMA and everything we are doing now with Philippe Starck, Ferruccio Laviani and Ron Arad instantly becomes a classic.
Chairs /
Lamps title="Made in Italy: Kartell"/
PS: To give you an idea this is what you pay for some of the designs of Kartell. (value in Chilean pesos)
Chairs
Louis Ghost € 197 and € 218 ea with and without printed surface. ($ 139,870, $ 154,780 ea)
Victoria Ghost € 160 ea ($ 113,600 ea)
Mademoiselle from € 427 to € 461 c / u depending on the color of the base and the carpet. ($ 303,107, $ 327,310)
Lamps
Take 57 € c / u ($ 40,470)
Bourgie from € 271 to € 487 c / u depending on the type of plastic. ($ 192,410, $ 345,770)
FL / Y € 145 ($ 102,950)