In Fine Form
In conjunction with the opening of Flexform’s very first flagship store in Kuala Lumpur, we talk to owner Pietro Galimberti whose passion and ideas have garnered the brand many fans the world over
It all started from the place where we are based – Meda, a city close to Milan. It is important to mention that Meda is world famous for its furniture tradition. In Meda, furniture making is not business, but a life mission. Of course, it takes time to cultivate the relevant knowledge and skills. Still, it is safe to say that furniture making is in our DNA as it comes very naturally to us. It has to be our strong identity. Flexform has a style that its fans can recognise at first glance. Be it our design or the way we communicate, even the layout of our showrooms, including that of the new flagship store in Kuala Lumpur, consistently reflects our philosophy. Versatility is a big part of it as our pieces can be used in any context. In terms of design, it is both simple and sophisticated at the same time. To sum it all up, Flexform products are destined for a long-lasting life. A good word to describe it is probably ‘timeless’. It is important to note that Flexform does not follow fashion. The Flexform furniture ‘lives’ and is meant to play a part in its owners’ lives. This is the way of living we would like to propose to our fans. We prefer to see ourselves as a lifestyle brand rather than a furniture maker. They are more than customers. Educated and passionate about design, this is a group of people who are seeking something special that can please their needs. It is a concept, a dream, a philosophy, a lifestyle that they wish to own. Over the generations, we have had fans who keep coming back to us. You cannot imagine how proud and delighted we are about it! It shows their complete trust in Flexform. Now, that is a 40-year-old story. Back when he was a student studying architecture, Antonio came to us to learn more about the manufacturing process. He became my apprentice and the rest, as they say, is history. Antonio comes from Meda too and shares what we call the furniture-making DNA. We dream the same way and we speak the same language. It is easy to work with him. He and I, we share a very special relationship. One of them is the A.B.C.D armchair by Antonio, which has been introduced during the 2014 edition of Il Salone del Mobile. Moving on from the iconic A.B.C. armchair released in 1996, this new version is a continuation of our journey together. Other latest products that can be found in the Kuala Lumpur flagship store include the Wing sofa and Piuma cabinet.