Wallpaper*, the international design, fashion and lifestyle magazine, is opening its first retail store within the new Design Supermarket in Milan's la Rinascente department store.
Called Wallpaper* Wallspace, the new store will present Wallpaper's global edit of the best new design for the home, focusing on the kitchen, tabletop and home office. All items have Wallpaper's seal of approval and will be available to purchase with prices ranging from EUR6 to EUR360.
"Scouring the globe to discover the best new designers, brands and products is what Wallpaper* does best, so a retail venture like this is the natural next step," said Tony Chambers, Wallpaper* editor in chief. "Wallspace* brings the intelligence and trained eye of the magazine direct to the consumer."
"Wallpaper* is an authority on design and the launch of this Wallpaper* shop is an ideal way to extend the brand," added Gord Ray, Wallpaper* publishing director. "It's especially pleasing to be working in partnership with the iconic La Rinascente and to be part of its new Design Supermarket."
To source items for the new store, Wallpaper's team, including international correspondents, hit the world's best fairs, took in degree shows, visited design studios and went the extra mile to uncover the new, exceptional and directional in the world of design.
Wallpaper's store opens on November 10, 2009 and offers products from all corners of the world. These include: Harri Koskinen's "Foldedlight," self-produced in Finland; Japanese electronics from Naoto Fukasawa's Plus Minus Zero brand; Jia Inc's "Ding" slow cooker from Hong Kong; Alexa Lixfeld's porcelain "Ricebowls" from Germany; Hasan Demir Obuz's "Sade" glasses by Ilio from Turkey; D.lab's "Pencil Block" from Singapore's Design Incubation Centre; and Singgih Susilo Kartono's handmade 'Wooden Radio' for Magno in Java, Indonesia. Italian-made products include the "Railo" magazine rack by Mikko Laakkonen for Casamania; Konstantin Grcic's "Accento" cutlery for Serafino Zani; mirrors by Nestor Perkal for Oscar Maschera; and David Chipperfield's Tonale range for Alessi.