Contemporary design and comfort are not mutually exclusive and often converge flawlessly to create something tremendously potent. I have an impeccable proof to justify my statement. This designer represents the Italian lifestyle: the convergence of design, fashion and art â where all three become intertwined and completely indistinguishable from each other. His work has always sparked curiosity in me and fortunately I got the privilege to interview this versatile personality. I am talking about none other than Stefano Rubertelli
Radhika- Stefano, tell us a bit about yourself. The standard intro stuff.What’s your background, where do you live, etc.?
Stefano- I am a 44 y/o Italian living now in London. I always had a passion for drawing, art, building things, understanding how things work, solve problems and searching a way out to finally obtain the solution. This became my way to play in my childhood and a hobby later on. Eventually, this attitude towards life ripened and helped me for making the right choice, to embrace Product Design which happened few years ago. I had a general conversation with some friends of mine about the importance in having a job you really enjoy and we all agreed with the the fact that we all should recall our childhood ambition and try to work for it. Well, I said âI wanted to be an inventor like Leonardo, but you can not really adopt it as a regular professionâ, it was at this point I got acquainted with Product Design and I realised that this was my field. Well, it has been a real enlightenment! I immediately applied to Central St. Martins in London and, with my fine art portfolio and huge dose of enthusiasm I was admitted to it even skipping the Induction course. I graduated in 2007.
Featured above is the Poltrona Privata- Meant to provide privacy in public places.
Radhika- Is your house/apartment outfitted with your unique work (like the furniture, lighting system etc)
Stefano- Well, as I said before I graduated just one year back, so in my house there are not many of my products because I donât have real products at the moment. I have mostly models of products. My house is mostly fitted with some recycled objects and adaptations of old furniture for the new version. For example a wall painting that is also a coat holder, a pan cover that is now a clock or a round table been cut to fit in a sharp corner.
London is a great place for inspirations as well as a great source of âfreeâ materials; you can find anything in the streets! I love looking around; people can waste beautiful things and thatâs what I exactly need for my project or something inspiring me for a new.. whatever.
My previous flat was decorated with things I found on the streets which were sometimes recycled by me.
Featured above is SR1- Its a unique piece that can be used both, as a dine and a wine chair.
Radhika- Is there any specific time during the year, when you’re most prolific?
Stefano- I am prolific for 365 days.I have always things running in my mind like ideas or projects with problems to solve. It is mostly the time to realise my ideas that I miss, so I put all of them in a book waiting for the time to be reconsidered. The inspiration comes anytime and from any source, for instance rearranging a shelf at work you can realise that the stackable wire baskets and a couple of cushions can become a great armchair for the garden, once I was dreaming about a project and I had to wake up in the middle of the night to draw what it came out.. should I see a Doctor?
Radhika- Which is your favourite piece of work out of your repertoire and why?
Stefano- I am always in love with my last project that took all my toil and labour. These days I am designing a table lamp, which I think is going to be my best piece.
Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it can be simplified in order to reach out for its utility…but can not talk about it yet as it still a top secret!Haha
But the love for this lamp will be replaced soon by the next project. I always look towards my work with the eye of a critic and I think that there is always a scope for improvement.
Featured above is SPOT-It is a candle light that resembles an electrical light for that perfect ambience.
Radhika- What’s the coolest place where your furniture is currently placed
and/or who is the coolest person you have ever sold a piece to?
Stefano- Unfortunately I can not really answer this question at the moment, but I hope I could do it very soon.
Is there anyone who wants to produce my design?
Please contact me at [email protected] !!
Featured above is PIUMUS-A sound sensitive gadget light.
Radhika- Do you notice a conflict between minimalism and the Italian design?
Stefano- Well, âminimalismâ is not a âstyleâ but a trend that can be applied on different form of art like painting, cinema, theatre, music, dance and fashion and I think it is the essence of Italian Design. In general, I think there is not a conflict at all, on the contrary, in Italian Design, the minimalism is in the approach to different styles with the result of leaving the style naked and without distraction around together with a the elegance the Italians are famous for.. well I am quite proud of it.
Take for example, the Gastronomy, there is a kind of minimalism in it as well. From a very simple dish to an elaborated one, the main ingredient is never shadowed by other strong ingredients, the main ingredient of the dish is always highlighted.
I think same is the case with the Italian design.
Stefano,thanks a lot for sparing your precious time for us and sharing your thoughts.I’d like to wish you a bright and successful future.
