Q&A

What attracted you to the idea of designing an Objet Nomade for Louis Vuitton? 
We were immediately fascinated by the idea of working for a brand with such an incredible historical and cultural heritage as Louis Vuitton. Designing a piece for Objet Nomades also meant we could combine our creativity with the brand’s savoir-faire and values. For example, we were able to explore the potential of different leathers and their unique characteristics.

What was the inspiration for your Objet? 
It came from the weaving, patterns and typical motifs used by certain nomadic populations that use fabric and leather to build baskets, rugs and other everyday objects. The shape of the screen refers to the circular structure of yurts, the nomadic houses found in Mongolia and Siberia. We used leather because it is an iconic material for the brand and the Objets Nomades collection; the result is so detailed and well worked thanks to the House’s innovative techniques and craftsmanship.

Which do you consider first: form or function?
Neither! The Objet is the result of our experimentation in weaving and pattern processing; the form was the result. We were immediately attracted to the idea of a screen divider because of its flexibility and multiple uses. What is your definition of nomadism and travel? Nomadism is a source of discovery. Travelling is about changing perspective and looking at things from another point of view.

Could you describe your Objet in a sentence?
A hypnotic object capable of redefining the space around itself.  

Biography

After meeting as students at ECAL in Lausanne, Switzerland, Giorgia Zanellato and Daniele Bortotto founded Zanellato/Bortotto Studio in Treviso, Italy, in 2013. Their first joint work, Acqua Alta, was dedicated to the city of Venice and presented at the Salone Satellite in Milan in 2013; it marked the beginning of their long-term research project on the relationship between places and the passage of time. Zanellato/Bortotto’s work has been shown in galleries and institutions including MAXXI, Rome; Triennale Design Museum, Milan; and Somerset House and the Aram Gallery in London. In 2015, they were named Young Talent of the Year by Elle Decor Italia, were awarded the NYCxDESIGN prize by Interior Design in 2016, and won the Red Dot Design Award in 2017.