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The world beckons as it awakens from winter’s dream. As the leaves unfurl and flowers bloom, spring makes promises that summer is called upon to keep. Revive the interiors of your home with artful forms and polished pieces. Draw in the tenderness of spring and the spirit of summer perfectly captured by Alessi’s Spring and Summer Collection.
Since 1921, Alessi has been known as one of the leading factories of Italian design famous for its superior products. The company has come a long way from starting as a humble workshop processing brass and nickel silver sheet metal. Today, their designers mix cultural traditions with modern developments for handcrafted pieces created with the help of machines through the cold working of metals. Nearly a century old, Alessi continues to move people, convey emotions, evoke memories, and traverse the plains of common perceptions.
This year, Alessi launches its Spring and Summer Collection as it celebrates three extraordinary maestros: Achille Castiglioni, Alessadro Mendini, and Richard Sapper, and embraces the power of creativity.
POETRY ON POLISHED PLAYFUL TABLEWARE
Alessini invites children to sit down, learn the beauty of table settings, and delight in their meals. Alessandro Mendini, ironically the oldest of the living Alessini designers, rises to the task creating this table set for children with youthful themes that evoke cheerful moments at the table. Owing to the concentric shapes of the Con-centrici and the colourful confetti design of the Proust, playful vibes are interlaced with practical function. The raised rim of the plate, the two handles on the cup, and the easy grip handles of the cutlery are all designed with young children in mind. Dining at the kids’ table is made a more enjoyable and fun experience as there is no age limit to a beautiful table.
The Bark collection launched in 2015 showcases the exemplary technique and consummate skill of Alessi’s production in the cutting of metal into precise perforated pieces. Mimicking the patterns and lines of trees and their bark, this exquisite collection is further expanded with the Barknest. This sinuous basket is designed by husband-and-wife team Michel Boucquillon and Donia Maaoui, conceived to embellish the table in the kitchen or a desk in the study. Inspired by the cozy bird’s nest, the round protective shape echoes the tranquil serenity of nature’s poetry bringing the outdoors indoors.
Paying homage to one of the grand maestros of design on the centennial of his birth, the Officina Alessi brand releases the limited edition of the Fruit holder/colander AC04 with 999-numbered copies. Italian designer Achille Castiglioni, born in 1918, simply required two essentials in his designs–practical solutions that satisfy the public’s taste. Thus, functional innovation met with polished metal finish emerging from a fruitful partnership between Castiglioni and Alessi since 1980. The re-edition fruit bowl in stainless steel with copper coating is placed on a stand with anthracite-colored aluminium. In addition to the special edition, the Bavero tea and coffee set is revived. Originally designed in 1997, the unique feature of the set was its original downward sloping rim. The latest Special Edition set includes bone china cups with the saucers having a warm metallic copper finish on the rim as a tribute to Castiglioni.
CUTLERY DRAWN IN GEOMETRY
From three young contemporary designers of the Swiss studio Big Game comes the Amici cutlery set. French Augustine Scott de Martinville, Belgian Elric Petit, and Swiss Grágoire Jeanmonod collaborate to design practical and well-balanced cutlery for everyday use. Stable and easy-to-handle, the highlight of the set is the handles’ faceted geometry as the glossy polished surface reflects light, adding warmth and elegance to the table. Clean, cultured, and sophisticated, the pieces work harmoniously with the convivial atmosphere of the table.
The Special Edition Dry cutlery is gift from Alessi, celebrating the birthday centenary of Italian design master Castiglioni. Re-mastered with stainless steel and shiny resistant copper, the iconic shape of the handle was inspired by the rectangular pencil used by carpenters. Likewise used as a tool, except for eating, the ergonomic shape of the spoon and fork was born. The latest catalogue features a satin finish that is simply divine to the touch when dining. This limited edition is available in two sets: a salad cutlery set and a 24-piece cutlery set.
VISUAL BEAUTY IN BESPOKE COOKWARE
The Officina Alessi brand presents the most beautiful pan in the world–the Tegamino. Alessandro Mendini consults with Alex Mocika and gastronomist Alberto Gozzi to create this sleek and efficient egg pan as they studied the history of cooking eggs including the metals used, the types of lids, the distance to the flame, and the duration of heating. The design allows for its one continuous use from the preparation in the kitchen to service on the table and, finally, the eating of a scrumptious single-portion egg directly from the pan. It comes with a stainless steel lid for efficient cooking, with curvy handles for comfortable grip. Shaped like an egg removed from its shell and waiting to be cooked, it is a visual and culinary delight for everyone–even those who, like Mendini, don’t know how to cook eggs.
La Cintura di Orione is the meticulous team effort of Richard Sapper, together with food expert Alberto Gozzi and a group of international chefs. The result is manifested in the superb shape of a stockpot, steamer basket, colander, and casseroles suitable for all types of cooking surfaces. Analyzing technical requirements and various cooking styles, the high-performance pot is made of three layers–a stainless steel external layer, an aluminium middle layer, and an AISI 430 internal layer. Because of its high conductivity, uniform and even cooking is guaranteed with notable energy savings.
KNIFEWARE ENHANCED WITH GLEAMING PRECISION
Revitalized and refashioned, the new series of Mami kitchen knives join the Alessi collection since 2002. Originally designed by Stefano Giovanoni, the novel knives are forged in steel with a matte finish for precise and efficient food preparations. Santoku knives, a traditional Japanese knife meaning “three virtues”, meant for cutting, filleting, and deboning, are added to the set. This latest series is best paired with the bamboo knife block, K-Block, by Anna and Gianfranco Gasparini. Made of moisture-resistant laminated bamboo, the block resembles a case with two hinged parts that open like a book. Concealed magnets on the vertical wood wall help to secure the blades in their slots.
HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE BEHIND COFFEE MAKERS
Alessi recounts four decades of collaborations with designers and architects crafting exceptional coffee makers: Richard Sapper (1979), Aldo Rossi (1984), Riccardo Dalisi (1987), Michael Graves (1995), Piero Lissoni (2006), Wiel Arets (2008), Alessandro Mendini (2011), Mario Trimarchi (2014) and Michele De Lucchi (2015). In 1988, Rossi also created the La cupola, the first coffee maker in aluminium, inspired by classic structures and scenic landscapes in Piedmont, Italy. As it turns thirty this year, it remains the archetype for all Alessi espresso coffee makers though perfected throughout its rich decadent history.
MOMENTS IN TIME CAPTURES IN BOTTLED FRAGRANCES
Marcel Wanders crafts the Five Seasons Home Fragrances to engage the soul that traverses through time. Four fragrances correspond to the four seasons of the year, aptly called “Brrr” for winter’s chill, “Ahhh” for spring’s beauty, “Hmm” for summer’s riches, and “Grrr” for autumn’s spectacle. The fifth scent corresponds to life’s transcendence, named “Shhh” for its enigma. Together with one of the leading perfume makers of Grasse, a town on the French Riviera known for its floral fragrances, Alessi releases this collection of perfumed candles, laser-decorated wood lids, candle snuffer, and essential oils. The series also includes porcelain diffusers featuring stylised leaves in mahogany wood bearing delicate and intricate forms.
Check out the complete Spring and Summer Collections at Alessi stores in Bonifacio High Street, BGC; Greenbelt 5, Makati, and Ayala Cebu.
