alessi – DesignApplause

be original americas announces establishment of committees.

Dec 8, 2023

be original americas, the non-profit advocacy organization established to educate and inform design professionals, consumers, educators, students and media about the value of authenticity in designs, begins its 11th year by announcing the formation of three committees. these committees will address the following key strategic areas:

developed to increase visibility and develop new avenues for outreach and education. this committee will plan & support the be original americas fellowship and other programs surrounding education. they will also develop opportunities for outreach to architecture & design firms and universities, as well as update & promote the current ceu accredited courses.
as a non-profit organization, membership and fundraising are key to the success of the be original americas’ mission. this committee will work to expand the membership base and encourage renewals, as well as develop fundraising ideas, special events and other opportunities. they will review and expand upon the current member categories and benefits.
there is strength in numbers and cultivating a community. this committee will plan & support events including town halls, panel discussions, special exhibitions, happy hours & lectures. they will also help develop and plan the annual meeting, which will be held february 6th, 2024, in new york city. they will ideate additional public relations and social media opportunities.

advocacy & education committee:
chairperson: amy auscherman, director, archives & brand heritage, millerknoll
kenneth baker, managing principal, gensler – north central region
odile hainaut, co-founder, wanteddesign & icff brand director
rebecca steiger, senior associate & creative director, tpg architecture
jenny hackley, creative marketing manager, lekker home

membership & fundraising committee:
chairperson: ricardo nabholz, managing associate, studio creative director, tpg architecture
cory grosser, creative director & owner, cory grosser & associates
annie kantor, founder & director of design, modern metal
patricia kittredge, sr. vice president of growth & innovation, lumens community & promotion:
chairperson: john edelman, president & ceo, heller
robert sargent, sales & business development manager, n.a., anglepoise
carly conelli, managing director, n.a., louis poulsen
alex enzbigilis, director of sales, rosendahl design group us
claire pijoulat, co-founder, wanteddesign & icff brand director

coming off the success of the 2022- 2023 exhibition, originality deconstructed, held at ace hotel in new york, palm springs and los angeles as well as a lively auction by wright/toomey & co., be original americas looks to increase its awareness and activities in support of our members and their authenticity & creativity.

[ about be original americas ]
be original americas is a non-profit creative advocacy organization committed to informing, educating, and influencing manufacturers, craftsman, design professionals, educators, media, and consumers about the economic, ethical and environmental value of authentic design.

[ media contacts ]
beth dickstein, bde&co., beth@bdeandco.com; m: 917-969-3808
karen brooking, bde&co., karen@bdeandco.com; m: 917-733-7898

alessi wins 2021 good design awards.

Jan 4, 2022

above> twergi by ettore sottsass

alessi announces the recognition of four key projects designed by as many prominent figures of the international design scene in the 2021 good design® awards: with twergi by ettore sottsass, 100% make-up proust by alessandro mendini, plissé by michele de lucchi and sweetheart by jim hannon-tan

above> designed by michele de lucchi plissé collection features an electric kettle, a blender, a hand blender, a toaster, and a citrus juicer. the refined design of these small kitchen appliances perfectly embodies the alessi essence of objects conveying art and poetry, functionality paired to sophisticated aesthetical research that heightens them to domestic sculptures. echoing the fifties and sixties fashion, plissé collection covers with pleats and folds domestic objects, transforming them into contemporary objects to exhibit in all kitchen environments as modern sculptures.

above> designed by jim hannon-tan sweetheart is a nutcracker inspired by the tale of the australian crocodile carrying the same name. at nearly 6 meters in length, sweetheart had a curious penchant for attacking outboard motor propellers. in 1979 he accidentally drowned by getting tangled in a net; his stuffed remains are preserved in a museum. inspired by a late-victorian model, this nutcracker is a tribute to australian wildlife. made of cast aluminum, it is a resistant and practical object to use, suitable for opening all types of dried fruit.

above> part of the alessi 100 values collection too, 100% make-up proust designed by alessandro mendini celebrates art as a crucial component in making design, and as an intrinsic and signifying value of alessi products. an extraordinary object originally crafted in two pieces for a show in bonn in 2000 whose title was “italy-germany 4:3. fifty years of italian and german design”, now re-edited in a numbered edition of 999 pieces. the vase ideally joins the collection coordinated by alessandro mendini in 1992, titled “100% make up”, which saw 100 authors, hailing from diverse creative fields, imagine a personal decoration for the same vase designed by the designer himself. this charming object provides a new interpretation of a pattern dear to mendini, born during a trip to france in the places where the writer marcel proust lived.

above> created in 1989 with the hope of revitalizing the ancient tradition of wood turning, at the beginning of 2021 the collection twergi by ettore sottsass has been relaunched with a new color palette as part of the 100 values collection that celebrates alessi anniversary. the collection includes jars, a corkscrew, a table centerpiece and salt, pepper, and spice grinders. these are must-have objects interpreted by sottsass with his distinctive signature juxtaposition of colorful overlapping shapes, typical of his poetic vision. all the pieces are made in italy with a semi-artisanal wood turning process in compliance with strict environmental, social, and economic standards.

now in its 71st edition, [ good design ] is one of the most prestigious and recognized design awards in the world, conferred annually by the chicago athenaeum museum of architecture and design in collaboration with the european center for architecture, art, design and urban studies and metropolitan arts press, ltd. founded in chicago in 1950 by architects eero saarinen, charles and ray eames and edgar kaufmann jr., the good design® prize is awarded evaluating over 900 design, graphics, and packaging projects from more than 48 countries, based on criteria such as innovation, sustainability, creativity, branding, shape, functionality, materials used, usefulness and aesthetics.

discover alessi’s spring/summer 2019 collection. milan design week.

Apr 6, 2019

discover alessi’s spring/summer 2019 collection, including the new moka, designed by sir david chipperfield to be an homage to the original bialetti espresso maker for today’s world.
salone: hall 16, f32

also

mudec: mokeria exhibition, via tortona, 56
transforming the entry and lobby into all things moka, designed by sir david chipperfield, who also designed the museum “a new moka is blooming” will be the best pop-up coffee bar in town!
april 9-14 from 9:30 am-7:30 pm

be original americas unveils 2019 agenda.

Mar 12, 2019

highlighting achievements in educational programming, growth in support, and 2019 initiatives

new york, ny – the non-profit organization, be original americas, is making great strides aimed at educating the design industry and consumers on the importance of original design. founded in 2012, the organization works to inform, influence, and educated on the value of authentic design while investing in its future.

[ increase in architecture & design members ]
be original americas’ support and influence has continued to grow with the addition of several new architecture and design firms joining the organization. tpg architecture, blatz architecture, rottet studio, bromley caldari, and gabellini sheppard join gensler, studio o+a, and michael graves architecture who pioneered the membership category last year. their stance on original design is critical in educating the end user and corporate companies on why originality is important and valuable in their projects.

[ continuing education unit (ceu) ]
working to make a difference in the industry, be original americas is developing two new ceu courses. the first course examines the materiality, innovation, and creativity that go into creating an original product. the course is currently available to members to present and is approved by aia and idcec, for architects and interior designers.

coming in q3 2019, the second course will delve into social, environmental, and ethical impacts of counterfeits. the courses have been developed in collaboration with peter carey and josina reeves of streamline creative.

[ student design fellowship ]
investing in the future of design is deeply rooted in be original americas mission. the organization is launching the fourth annual be original americas student design fellowship. the immersive, five-week program introduces two undergraduate students to all facets of creating innovative, high-quality products through hands-on, in-the-field learning. applications are currently open until march 21, 2019 through be original americas fellowship

the program will run june 17-july 22, 2019, during which the fellows will visit member companies throughout the united states.

[ 2019 events]
each year be original americas organizes an aggressive program of panel discussions, in addition to ceu events.

on march 27th be original americas, in partnership with louis poulsen and vitra, will be hosting an interactive event in los angeles with design-milk, clever, and several surprise guests. the event will be a first-time live podcast recording with five thought-provoking individuals.

from eames to saarinen, the midwest has played an integral role in the history of design. on may 2nd in minneapolis, our members blu dot, loll designs, and hennepin made will explore how the midwest’s design heritage and industrial innovation keeps them at the center of authentic design creation.

during nycxdesign, be original americas is organizing a panel discussion on may 18th at wanteddesign. more details to come. the organization will host an interactive booth (#1163) at icff, an industry tradeshow that draws over 38,000 attendees. the booth is being designed by member jon sherman, flavor paper and will provide an opportunity to donate in support the 2019 fellowship.

additional events in chicago, san francisco, and more are being planned for the second half of the year.

[ board, officers, and committees ]
2019 officers of be original americas include:
• president: john edelman, design within reach
• vice president: coleman gutshall, bernhardt design
• treasurer: tbd
• secretary: anthony lebron, cappellini

in addition, be original americas is pleased to announce the continued support of gensler and rich brilliant willing as board members for 2019.
since its conception, be original americas has;
• grown to 800 members, supporters, and followers.
• launched an annual student design fellowship in 2016.
• assisted the united states customs & border protection in the seizure of tens of millions of us dollars in counterfeit furnishings.
• developed aia and idcec approved ceu courses and presented it to over 800 interior designers and architects.
• organized over 50 events in 19 cities throughout canada, the united states, and mexico addressing more than 4,300 designers, architects and consumers.
• attained 25 north american, both print and digital, media sponsors.
• recognized as one of 2015’s ‘top 10 most innovative companies in design’ by fast company.

[ about be original americas ]
be original americas is a nonprofit organization that is committed to initiating discussion on the importance and value of preserving original design across the americas, through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and other efforts to promote this critical issue.

be original americas charter members – including alessi, bernhardt design, design within reach, emeco, flos, fritz hansen, herman miller, kartell, ligne roset, poltrona frau group and vitra, and board members, gensler and rich brilliant willing – believe that the value of authenticity cannot be underestimated or taken for granted in the marketplace. through an aggressive program of panel discussions and ceu courses, the movement campaigns to establish a set of industry standards that encourages public and professionals, along with our media partners, to fully support creativity and authenticity, to invest in the future of design, to incentivize innovation, and to give back to the industry and the people it serves.

[ for more info ]
be original americas
facebook
twitter
instagram

[ media contacts ]
alyssa young, bde alyssa@bdeonline.biz 212.353.1383
beth dickstein, bde beth@bdeonline.biz 212.353.1383

german product designer richard sapper. 1932-1915.

Jan 4, 2016

german industrial designer richard sapper died on new year’s eve, 2015. he was 83. his iconic design solutions make him one of the most influential industrial designers of his generation. sapper’s creative gift was a distinctive style of formal simplicity and at times humor. from simple housewares to cars and boats many of his pieces reside in museum collections worldwide including 15 designs represented at moma in new york and london’s victoria & albert and design museum. his clients included alessi, artemide, b&b italia, fiat, heuer, knoll and magis.

rearview mirror | 1956 | for mercedes 300 sl roadster, sapper’s first design gone into production

doney | | 1962 | brionvega | with marco zanuso, wins prize compasso d’oro 1962 and included in the permanent design collection at the museum of modern art in new york

tizio | 1972 | artemide | prize grand prix triennale xv 1974 | features a transformer located in the base that powers a halogen lamp through rods and press button joints, which carry electrical current without the need for cables. most recent lamp offers led illumination

bus designed to store bicycles | fiat | 1976 | competition entry study for city traffic in milan

telephone booth | 1986 | for german post office | the first telephone booth built entirely of injection-molded plastic, consisting of four identical panels plus one for the roof

argo | 1988 artemide-litech | a low-voltage spotlight track-lighting system

9091 | 1983 | alessi | features a brass melodic whistle with two pipes tuned to the notes “mi” and “ti”

la cintura di orione | 1986 | alessi | developed in consultation with renowned cuisine chefs alain chapel, raymond thuilier, pierre and michel troisgros, roger verge, gualtiero marchesi and angelo paracucchi, and under the coordination of gastronomical expert alberto gozzi

from 9 to 5 | 1986 | castelli | prize compasso d’oro 1987 | part of an extensive office furniture system. adjustable desk surface heights

aida | 1998 | magis | stacking chair

zoombike | 2000 | elettromontaggi | an aluminum 3-speed folding metro bike. the design draws on aircraft technology rather than traditional bicycle mechanics

tosca | 2007 |magis | stacking chair

aida table | 2001 | magis

according to a phaidon statement, in june, phaidon publishes richard sapper, an in depth study packed with images from sapper’s own archive and featuring specially commissioned candid photography by ramak fazel that shines light on sapper’s personal life.

neri. a new family of writing instruments from internoitaliano.

Nov 16, 2015

internoitaliao presents neri, a family of pens and mechanical pencils designed by giulio iacchetti. neri represents the inaugural venture into the world of stationery, a new market sector for internoitaliano, a brand whose founding spirit is distinctive for being based in equal measure on italian design and italian craftsmanship. for this project, internoitaliano has partnered with parafernalia, the only historical italian company that produces contemporary writing instruments.

“always a passion of mine, i feel pens and mechanical pencils epitomize objects that can fully express the essence of design: sophistication, simplicity, the archetype of a technical tool, a prothesis of the hand and mind. having your own pen and pencil with you is already a statement of intent: the will and ability to leave a tangible written sign, to begin a story, sketch out a new project … ” ~giulio iacchetti

these writing instruments are an exercise in absolute minimalism for design junkies and aﬁcionados of writing and falls outside the usual automatic opening/closing systems and the classic cap. indeed, the placement of the leads and ability to regulate their length — and also that of the pen reﬁlls, a highly unique feature — is done by simply turning the contrasting brass thumbscrew, a technique derived from the gesture for adjusting the points of compasses used in technical drawing.

the pens and mechanical pencils are made of anodized aluminum, made from a solid aluminum rod, lathed and bored. the surface is anodized and then sand-blasted. in both the mechanical pencil and pen, the size, velvety touch and screw placement have been specifically designed for ease of grip and maximum ergonomic comfort.

[ neri ] [ giulio iacchetti ]

above> guilo iacchetti in milan last spring pitching new internoitaliano products from a rooftop installation. this is designapplause’s fourth visit with the designer. in the past we have met him at alessi’s booth. in addition to his creative and thoughtful product solutions he also conceived a unique contemporary italian design business model in internoitaliano. a glimpse of the designer and the company in the video below.

above> click on image to engage lightbox | 12 images

below> the official 2012 launch press release

[ Internoitaliano ] was born officially in november 2012, in turin at operae, in essence, a new system for the production and sale of designer furnishings, created by italian designer giulio iacchetti.

the new system brings contemporary italian design to the worldwide marketplace via the internet, providing the quality and technical know-how of traditional italian craftsmanship to products sold exclusively online.

[ design statement ] internoitaliano’s ambition is to restore a sense of normality to design. its products are designed to be long-lasting and become part of everyday life with personality and discretion. for this reason, every project is stylistically independent and can adapt to a variety of contexts, differing in terms of both space and time, all the while maintaining a quiet presence, worlds apart from the self-engrandizing nature that often characterizes contemporary design.

[ system ] at the heart of internoitaliano is a production system constituted by a network of workshops and manufacturing companies that embody the excellence in the italian ability to createtop-quality products paired with a real-time global system of circulation, the internet. internoitaliano, therefore, is truly a “fabbrica diffusa”, a “factory network”.
internoitaliano objects enjoy a special status: they are happy objects, fruit of a 50/50 joint effort between the designer who designed them and the craftsman who lovingly made them. they are free from economic constraints that might otherwise impose high profit margins and can therefore be brought to market at a fair price, with respect for the intrinsic value of each party’s contribution and the high quality of the materials.
internoitaliano is based on a structurally light business model that is testimony to the disappearance of both rigid corporate structure and traditional chains of distribution.

being original: making the case for authentic design.

Sep 2, 2015

event> “being original: making the case for authentic design” aia and idcec approved ceu course
date> tuesday 22 september 2015 | 12 noon
venue> centro | 4727 mcpherson avenue | st. louis MO
rsvp> by friday 18 september 2015 | office@centro-inc.com
instructor> john james jenkin, ceo, driade

Be Original Americas™ will present their first-ever Continuing Education Unit (CEU) course on the importance of authentic design while delving into the nature of innovation and creativity. The economic, social, legal, and personal costs of supporting knock-offs will be highlighted. This will be held at Centro, St. Louis’ premiere location for the best in design, during St. Louis Design Week. Instructor John James Jenkin, CEO, Driade and a Be Original Americas board member will lead the program for architects and interior designers to earn continuing education (0.1 IDCEC/1 LU AIA) credits for members of American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC). The 2 hour program will include a 1 hour course, networking and lunch.

[ be original americas ]
Be Original Americas, founded in 2012, is committed to educating, informing and influencing designers, businesses, and the greater public on the value of purchasing authentic designs. The goal is to elevate the discussion so that all who appreciate good design also understand the economic, social, and ethical reasons to support the creators and manufacturers of original, authorized design, thereby ensuring its future.

[ centro ]
Cento began in 1988 as a trade showroom representing furniture, lighting, and textiles from around the globe. In 1998, Centro opened its doors to retail clientele in the historic Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, MO. A showroom expansion in 2003 tripled the size of the showroom. Today, Centro is the exclusive St. Louis retailer for over forty-five of the leading design brands in the world, including B&B Italia, Driade, Zanotta, Tom Dixon, Flos, Cassina, Alessi, Moooi, Cappellini, Artemide, Fritz Hansen, Knoll, and Herman Miller.

michael graves awarded national design award for lifetime achievement.

May 5, 2015

Michael Graves was awarded the National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. He’s best known for his Postmodernist-style, a label he was not happy with. Graves also designed products for both Alessi and Target which required a high-design as well as an eye for the masses mentality.

[ official release ] Michael Graves (1934 – 2015), the late celebrated architect and designer and founder of Michael Graves Architecture & Design has won the National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Graves is best known for broadening the role of the architect in society and raising public interest in good design as essential to the quality of everyday life. Winners will be honored during National Design Week at a Gala on Thursday, October 15 at Pier Sixty in New York.

Graves, a prominent voice in architecture and design since founding his practice in 1964 has designed with his firm over 350 buildings and more than 2,000 products for clients such as Target, Alessi, Stryker, Kimberly-Clark and Disney.

Few are credited with spearheading a single design movement. Michael Graves led three. In the 1980’s he redirected the architectural conversation away from abstract modernism toward a more humanistic approach to architecture and urban planning – an approach that MGA&D still practices today. In the 1990’s, his partnership with Target defined America’s expectation that great design should be available to all. Over the past decade Michael became a passionate advocate for the disabled and used the power of design to improve healthcare experiences for patients, families and clinicians.

Graves has received prestigious awards including the AIA Gold Medal, the National Medal of Arts from President Clinton, and the Topaz Medallion from the AIA/ACSA. Graves is the 2012 Richard H. Driehaus Prize Laureate. Michael Graves has become internationally recognized as a healthcare design advocate, with the Center for Health Design naming him one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in Healthcare Design. In 2013, President Obama appointed Graves to the United States Access Board. The American Institute of Architects acknowledged Michael’s career with a Presidential Citation. He was the first architect inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and was the first recipient of the Michael Graves Lifetime Achievement Award from the AIA-NJ. Fast Company recently named MGA&D one of the 10 most innovative design firms in the world.

In 2014 MGA&D celebrated its 50th anniversary with a major exhibition at the Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. In addition, Michael’s lifelong contributions to design were celebrated by the Architectural League with a daylong symposium at Parsons New School for Design.

[envira-gallery id=”45385″]

about phil patton

discover design & gia awards winners. housewares 2015.

Mar 18, 2015

‘Discover Design’ is five years old in 2015 and is a destination of more than 100 design-centric exhibitors from around the world. The confines includes the ‘Discover Design Gallery’ featuring the products submitted for the gia awards; ‘Design Debut’, an incubator program within Discover Design, featuring 10 new companies; and the Discover Design Lounge with Wine Bar and Café. In 2015 over 270 entries were viewed by 20 judges to select the 2015 gia awards winners:

[ best Collection Design ]
global honoree
That! inventions > heat THAT!

finalists
Iittala > Ruutu
Jia > Steamer collection

[ best product design ]
global honorees
Eva Solo > Digital kitchen scale
Joseph Joseph > Can-do
That! inventions > scoop THAT!

finalists
Alessi > Cheese please
Big Dragon Design > Turbine usa pizza cutter
David Rasmussen Design > Wud tumbler
Dreamfarm > Savel
Po > Pao thermal mug

[ martin m. pegler award for best booth ]
global honoree
sagegreenlife > Firefly bio-dome

above> heat THAT! by that!

above> ruutu by ronan and erwan bouroullec for iittala

above> steamer collection by jia

above> digital kitchen scale by eva solo

above> can-do by joseph joseph

above> scoop that! by that!

above> cheese please by gabriele chiave and lorenza bozzoli for alessi

above> wud tumbler by david rasmussen design

above> savel by dreamfarm

above> páo thermo mug by po

above: turbineusa pizza cutter by big dragon studios

above> firefly bio-dome designed by daniel pouzet for sagegreenlife

[ 2015 judges ]
Specialty retailers, design and consumer editors, trendspotters and independent designers served as Discover Design judges for the gia awards. They are: Asko Ahokas, Asko Ahokas Consulting; Jens Bauerle, Global Brand Vision; Mary Liz Curtin, Leon & Lulu; Meredith Doherty, The Grommet; Mary Rose Gearon, Global Brand Vision; Michael Higdon, National Building Museum; Raymond Hu, Core77; Ron Kovach, DesignApplause; Dan Kraemer, IA Collaborative; Lu Lyndon, Placewares+Lyndon Design; Paul Makovsky, Metropolis magazine; Marco Perry, PENSA; Jamie Rowley, Fab; Billy Shelton, Chicago Architecture Foundation; Michele Tobin, Walker Art Center; Becky Tyre, Gift Shop magazine; Robyn Waters, R W Trend; Adrienne Wheatley, Culture + Commerce, Terri Winter, Top3 by Design; and LinYee Yuan, Mold.

2015 was our (DesignApplause) third year to judge this show. with almost one hundred more entries (270) than 2014, the competition this year was noticeably higher. all items were judged online – it’s worth noting, video submissions are compelling – though there were photo-only winners.

[ official release – winners ]

be original americas awarded fast company’s 10 most innovative companies in design.

Feb 12, 2015

Fast Company today announced its annual ranking of the world’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Design for 2015, honoring leading enterprises and rising newcomers that exemplify the best in business and design. Be Original Americas was named on the list along with Charter Member Herman Miller and 30 Weeks, Ammunition Group, Code and Theory, Gumroad, Ikea, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Beyers, Michael Graves Architecture & Design and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This honor was passed along to the more than 60 media sponsors, VIPs and Be Original Americas’ members attending the first Annual Members Meeting, held at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum on February 5th 2015.

Most Innovative Companies is one of Fast Company’s most significant and highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. The magazine’s editors spend months gathering and analyzing data on companies around the globe.

antoine roset

In response to the recognition, Antoine Roset, President, Be Original Americas (and Executive Vice President, Roset USA Corporation) noted, “Being part of Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Design is great recognition for Be Original Americas. Innovation is what drives our industry, and Be Original Americas is there to share all of the values that make an original product a better product; even a safer product. This acknowledgement represents one more step against copies and knockoffs, as we continue and intensify our mission of informing, educating and influencing individuals and organizations on why supporting authentic design is critical for our economy, our environment and our ethics as a society. If we don’t value and protect authentic design, what is design’s future?”

above> caroline baumann below> jerry helling

Caroline Baumann, Director of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, introduced outgoing Be Original Americas President Jerry Helling (and President and Creative Director, Bernhardt Design) who, along with other Charter Members, addressed the significant progress of the movement and the organization’s plans for the future. The meeting announced the election of new Officers and Board Members, upcoming events, and the creation of related CEU courses for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC), set to be completed by May.

[ Be Original Americas ] is committed to initiating discussion on the importance and value of preserving original design across the Americas, through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and other efforts to promote this critical issue.

Be Original charter members – including Alessi, Artek, Bernhardt Design, Emeco, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller®, Ligne Roset, Poltrona Frau Group and Vitra – believe that the value of authenticity cannot be underestimated or taken for granted in the marketplace. Through an aggressive program of lectures, workshops and round-tables, the movement campaigns to establish a set of industry standards that encourages public and professionals, along with our media partners, to fully support creativity and authenticity, to invest in the future of design, to incentivize innovation, and to give back to the industry and the people it serves.

FC’s Most Innovative Companies March 2015 issue is now available [ online ] as well as in app form via iTunes, and on newsstands beginning 17 February. Photography by Federica Carlet.

above> knockoffi of fritz hansen’s series 7 chair designed by arne jacobsen seen in tokyo tower. [ see original ] [ see more not original ]