District Innovation

Objets Nomades, which has 11 product designers on board, is a collection of furniture by Louis Vuitton. The brand reinvented the Art of Travel campaign and previewed two designs by Tokujin Yoshioka and Campana Brothers during Design Miami/ 2016.

The Objets Nomades range includes 18 items—from a hammock to a foldable stool all in noble materials and sold in limited editions or experimental prototypes. Conceived in collaboration with some of the most creative designers, the collection pays homage to the House’s special orders of the past, such as the iconic Bed Trunk or Wardrobe Trunk—and adds a defiantly contemporary spirit.

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Fernando & Humberto Campana (Brazil)

Known for: innovations in chair designing

Why did you agree to create an Objet Nomade for Louis Vuitton?

Firstly, for the opportunity to explore the Louis Vuitton universe. Secondly, to send a message about unique ways of working with recycled materials.

What did you consider first: form or function?

Both. We always imagine and consider the function and the form of an object. The Maracatu, for example, would be like a dream, but an unlikely encounter between fashion and design, part artwork, part object.

How did you work with the Louis Vuitton workshops’ savoir-faire?

Our work incorporates the idea of transformation and reinvention.

The Maracatu, for example, uses recycled leather offcuts from the workshop and stands at the threshold between tradition and innovation. We were impressed with the archive of materials, as well as the artisans’ ability to detect distinct colours in the leather and to assemble various pieces in slightly different shades to achieve the effect of a specific colour.

Fur Cocoon This new version of Fernando and Humberto Campana’s iconic Cocoon is made of high-tech, vacuummoulded fibreglass, reinforced with resin for strength and resilience, and then covered in short-hair lambskin that is like an invitation to caress. To complete this haven of warm, opulent and elegant comfort, the Cocoon is lined with cushions in extra-soft and sumptuous long-hair lambskin.

Tokujin Yoshioka (Japan)

Known for: product design, architecture and exhibition installations

Why did you agree to create an Objet Nomade for Louis Vuitton?

I thought I would like to re-interpret the philosophy of Louis Vuitton to create a work that travels through the time of history and future with my expression and techniques, and express the new journey through time.

During the design process for your Objet, which did you consider first: form or function?

Neither shape nor function. I always try to invent something beyond form. I wanted to create something iconic which strongly symbolises the philosophy of the brand, and I created an object that is universal and timeless.

What have you called your Object and why?

It is called Blossom Stool. I came up with the idea from the motif of quarto foil, and created a stool with natural structure that symbolises the Louis Vuitton monograms of petals. This is an object that delivers an iconic and symbolic strong message created with the techniques of wood and leather craftwork.

Blossom Stool Inspired by Louis Vuitton’s monogram-pattern flower, the Blossom Stool is a rich swirl of wood and soft leather made using traditional techniques and craft.

From the December 2016–January 2017 issue of L’Officiel India.