STUDIOPEPE
The creative powerhouses behind the brand talk design collaborations
Founded by Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto, the Milan-based design, architecture and creative agency Studiopepe has embarked on cross-brand projects spanning furniture, surfaces and accessories. Next up: a lighting collection with Italian brand Contardi.
What is good design to you?
Long lasting, honest and aesthetic. Inspiration can come from everyday life, but then you see what echoes in your background, what is part of you. The goal is to be receptive.
What were the origins of your collaboration with Contardi and how did you find the process? The collaboration was f luid from the beginning. Our Stick collection takes inspiration from an archetype of light, ‘the prism’, which is used to study light refractions. Our idea was for the product to be very simple in shape, yet very refined in details. We like the idea of having pieces that could be used in projects from retail to residential.
You’ve also worked with Gallotti&radice – what did you hope to achieve with this work? The Stami collection comes from the observation of flowers. We designed a feminine shape and created different pieces, from daybed to desk, all with the same concept. The collection is still in progress – more news will be revealed soon!
Your Sling collection for Ethimo is a great example of beautiful design for the outdoors… We always look to Ethimo as an example of design excellence. The boundary between outdoor and indoor furniture is fluid, so we design the Sling collection for both garden and living room.
How do you make sure your own aesthetic and values come through in your collaborations? We try to merge the brand with our world – it’s a good exercise for creativity. Flexibility without losing balance is something we practise every day. It’s interesting to explore techniques – we’ve designed furniture, carpets, fabric and wallpaper, and we always learn something new.