Highlights of Design Miami 2016

24 April 2016 - 02:00 By Guild's Trevyn and Julian McGowan

Southern Guild's Trevyn and Julian McGowan recently attended Design Miami, an international show which celebrates collectible design. They share a selection of their favourites from the fairBody Building by Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari at Secondome, RomeCurated by magazine editor Maria Cristina Didero, Body Building is a contemporary take on the gym environment. Where these pieces would traditionally be used to turn the body into something more beautiful, in this environment they're fixed to the ground as permanent furniture elements, and are in themselves the beauty in the room. This leather-clad series is a testament to Italian craftsmanship.Bird Vessel by Andile Dyalvane at Friedman Benda, New YorkAndile Dyalvane has been one of our designers since we founded Southern Guild in 2008, and we've been working with him and Imiso Ceramics even longer so we're really celebrating the recognition Friedman Benda is giving him by taking him on as one of its international designers. This is the first time the New York gallery has shown Dyalvane's work, and we're now waiting in anticipation for his solo show with Friedman Benda in June.story_article_right1Afreaks by the Haas Brothers at R & Company, New YorkIt was a treat to witness the Afreaks exhibited for the first time as an entire collection. It is a project we'd facilitated from its inception, when R & Company brought Niki and Simon Haas to Cape Town for Guild 2014. We're all great friends now, so we felt great pride to see these pieces so well-received in Miami.Happiness by Wendell Castle at Friedman Benda, New YorkThe way in which Wendell Castle manages to play with the intersection of furniture and sculpture has always been something we've admired. Castle is one of the most revered names in contemporary design, so to see his stained ash seat was an industry highlight.Cangaco Cabinet by Fernando and Humberto Campana at Firma Casa, Sao PauloThe intricate detail that the Campana brothers put into their pieces always has us in awe. This cabinet forms part of a bigger collection of leather and wicker pieces that reference the leather clothing worn by Brazil's 19th-century bandits. Close inspection is warranted for a full appreciation of the stitching, embossing and studs used to finish each piece.story_article_right2Railing Series by Aranda\Lasch at Gallery ALL, Beijing and Los AngelesGallery ALL never fails to intrigue us with its offerings, and these fascinating chairs from Aranda\Lasch had us standing in line to try out seating made from silicone foam and hand-sewn leather. This exploration of structural modular loops is a studied take on what a circle can be, and would make for a great conversation piece in a living room setting.Cardboard Jewellery by David Bielander at Ornamentum, New YorkThey might be called Cardboard, but these pieces are anything but! Made from 18k gold, this collection kept us coming back for another look. What an artist to have created something that tricks the eye so well. And what a lucky person to be wearing gold that no one knows about...

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