©Louis Vuitton Malletier - Cyrille George Jerusalmi
Q&A
What does Louis Vuitton mean to you? Louis Vuitton is everything an iconic brand ought to represent. The House has spent decades staying true to its unique approach to travel, yet has pressed forward not just to stay ahead of current trends, but to shape them. It is a brand that truly understands form, function, materials and craftsmanship, and most importantly, the connection with the human spirit. We have always seen Louis Vuitton as the benchmark of what it means to love your craft, supported by an undeniable heritage of quality and excellence. As a designer, it is so rewarding to see others who believe that craft still matters.
During the design process for your Objet, which did you consider first: form or function? Thanks to a constant study of humanity and an exploration of materials, form preceded function, because instead of merely solving problems, we create visions. With the lounge chair for example, we concentrated more on the way our bodies move and the positions we achieve when we recline. By starting with the human form and the playful way we express ourselves, we were able to design an object that adapts to space and allows those who experience it to connect with it in the most meaningful way. What does travel mean to you? Travel is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. The concept of home is no longer what it once was; no longer anchored to our past, it is now where and when you make it. Travel constantly changes, inspires and surprises you. These pieces of furniture celebrate mobile, contemporary lifestyles and champion the balance between losing ourselves and finding ourselves on a constant journey of discovery. While travelling, the scenery may change, but in fact, it is you who changes so much more. This is the essence of travel and the fundamental source of what we do. “We have always seen Louis Vuitton as the benchmark of what it means to love your craft.” Marcel Wanders
Biography
Born in 1963 in Boxtel, the Netherlands, Marcel Wanders founded his design studio in 1995 with the aim of “creating an environment of love, and living with passion to make our most exciting dreams come true”. His design approach often mixes innovative materials and techniques with historical standards, a combination that give his work a poetic and romantic feeling. Alongside his furniture, he has designed a number of stores and hotels, including the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht Hotel in the Netherlands, and works as art director for design label Moooi. His work has been included in design collections and exhibitions across the world at institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the V&A, London; the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningean, Rotterdam.
