ES Magazine - Design spy
Armani, Missoni, Kenzo...make yours a fashion house
Ten years ago, when fashion houses branched ' into design (for purely commercial reasons), they learned that making a sofa is not the same as churning out a handbag. Still, to give them their due, they don't give up easily.
Giorgio Armani's first home collection, in 2000, under- whelmed the design press, but judging from the collection launched next week in Bond Street, he's found his way.
His Balloon armchair (left, out next month), made of tubular bands of fabric, looks like a sumptuous mink throw for a sumptuous £4,100. Not only are there now 80 Armani Casa stores in 45 countries, the interior design team is almost busier than his fashion team.
Fashion designers know nothing about ergonomics; what they do understand is texture and colour. 'Fashion designers are really good at prints and colour; what's more, they get on with it quickly,' says The Rug Company's Chris Sharp. His best seller is Paul Smith (who has just launched Folded Polka Dot Pink cushions, £195). Sharp has also signed up Vivienne Westwood, Diane von Furstenberg and Alexander McQueen.
Marc Jacobs' new tableware collection got great reviews when it came out last February. As an afterthought, he threw in a glass flower that went into production: £90 buys you three glass flowers, whereas you'll spend £950 on one of Jacobs' Waterford Crystal Peter vases.
Kenzo and Missoni have also joined the homebodies. Kenzo Home ranges from pieces such as the Pagodon Pouf (based on the hand . bag) to sofas, chairs and lampshades such as Pendant.
Missoni, in 1984 one of the first fashion brands to move into textiles, launched a 20- piece furniture collection last April in Milan (Missoni Home now represents 20 per cent of the label's turnover). The patterned arm¬chairs are not for the faint-hearted and key pieces such as a Drum Lamp (from £362) will jazz up any room. The furniture arrives here this month.
