Rick Owens Furniture Inspires Young Designer Theme at Milan Exhibition – WWD

IN CONVERSION: Rick Owens’ penchant for brutal furniture is second only to his dark fashion concoctions, and the two have been an endless source of inspiration for designers around the world.

Ahead of the official opening of the Salone del Mobile in Milan, the New York-based gallery Galerie Philia, which represents the Owens furniture collection, organized a vernissage featuring designs from the renowned Owens alongside works by young Italian-based designers, with the aim of to build dialogue.

“We don’t support them, it’s dialogue, it’s arranged in a nice way and it’s kind of a tribute, like Rick Owens furniture inspiring other people… it’s just a very minimal collaboration but very interesting,” Michèle Lamy, life partner and inspiration for Owens, told WWD at the event.

Among the objects of Owens’ designs on display, the exhibition features a minimalist bench covered with camel hair, a small alabaster table with deer antlers as legs, and small trinkets such as bronze vases and candle holders.

Lamy says that after nearly 15 years since the launch of the category — which was first introduced in 2007 and has spawned international books and exhibitions — furniture is evolving to include larger pieces with architectural arches, but he emphasizes how smaller items can be. also, maintain a certain subtlety and boast “the same care and passion as the greater.”

Owens’ works are set in a dimly lit gallery space in southern Milan flanked by works by design studio dAM Atelier; Draga & Aurel; Lorenzo Bini; Agustina Bottoni; Samuel Costantini; Cara and Davide; Pietro Franceschini, and Morghen Studio.

For example, Costantini lent his Underwood chandelier, made of brass in the shape of a bark, for the exhibition, while Franceschini explored using marble for his futuristic bench featuring a round shape.

“The gallery found its own way to showcase Owens’ work and became a huge supporter of them,” said Lamy.

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