Following my piece in last month’s newsletter in which I elaborated on design integrity in South Africa, I feel I have no other choice than to high light an accurate (recent) incident to demonstrate my point!

Last week (Thursday) Cape Town based furniture manufacturer “Bellacraft design” sent their Spring 2007 newsletter to info@twiice.com (see insert). The centre piece featured in their newsletter (and on their website) is a shockingly bad copy of Poldersofa, designed by Hella Jongerius for Vitra and exclusively distributed by Twiice International in South Africa. Multiple award winning designer Hella Jongerius’ exquisite design was launched at 2006 Milan furniture fair and has already made its mark in the world of international design.

Naturally I was very curious and we made some enquiries (incognito). We called them twice on Monday to request the price of the sofa. Rose from Bellacraft design answered the phone and promised to call back as she was busy with clients. She did call back after the first phone call and left a message. Our second attempt was not followed up. Our third attempt this morning was more fruitful and Rose provided us with the information requested. Rose happily informed us that the sofa we were referring to is an original design by Bellacraft. Rose’s son Greg Smit –‘designer’ and founder of Bellacraft- is currently out of the country, but will be back on Friday to assist us with customizing requirements in their Epping two-floor showroom. The rip-off is named “Chateau” and the two-seater retails at R 8,820 excluding fabric or leather.

In the meantime I have had the privilege to receive an incredible amount of reactions to my statements made in our monthly newsletter as well as on our website regarding this serious issue. Media have approached me for interviews and rest assured that you have not heard the last of this yet…

I invite you to compare this ugly rip-off with the original Poldersofa:
www.bellacraft.com and www.vitra.com . And do not hesitate to express your views in this regard. I look forward to your feedback!

Kind regards,

Tin Korver
Managing Director
Twiice International

Diesel's Spring/Summer 2007 fashion show took place at our Cape Town showroom last month. This high profile event was sponsored by Jameson whiskey. Both Twiice International's and Diesel's top clients enjoyed a fantastic visual spectacle. Synergy was created between the two brands: fashion meets design!

www.diesel.com

New to Kartell is the mademoiselle with 'Cocco' upholstery - a sophisticated crocodile print effect. This opulent fabric makes the Mademoiselle chair versatile and stylish.

Ostentatious luxury and formal austerity for Mademoiselle Cocco by Philippe Starck: an essential 'must' for everyone's 'wardrobe'!

Available in the colours ivory, grey and dark brown.

www.kartell.it

B&B Italia are expanding into a new sector and creating an Outdoor Collection.

Canasta by Patricia Urquiola is a range that the designer approached starting from the theme of woven patterns - reviving and personalising the concept with a traditional look in mind, but giving it a decisively contemporary look without using too much nostalgic influence. Vienna straw, with its geometric shape, was her element of inspiration.

A linear sofa in two versions, with high and low backrest, an armchair with the same alternative, a large circular armchair and a bed/chaise lounge make up the Canasta collection: all made in vinyl plastic, a material that guarantees sturdiness, lightness and durability over time.

 www.bebitalia.it

VISI was privileged to be the only magazine invited to participate in the 33rd Nederburg Auction in Paarl on Saturday 29 September. Design trio Alwyn Burger, Chris Willemse and Dané Erwee from Okasie in Stellenbosch designed the striking VISI space, which was dressed in white, yellow and gold. Twiice International supplied furniture from the exclusive Kartell range to complement the colour scheme, and Okasie used the pieces to create intimate lounging spaces that not only looked fantastic, but also enticed guests to take a seat and enjoy a glass or two of Distell’s Desiderius Methode Cap Classique while appreciating the sophisticated ambience of the space.

www.visi.co.za

The Kartell Company Museum opened in 1999 with the aim of "conserving, promoting and appreciating the cultural, conceptual,material and immaterial heritage of the company".

The Museum is located within the Kartell building, a significant example of contemporary architecture, designed by Ignazio Gardella and Anna Castelli Ferrieri. 

The collection, is in fact arranged in chronological order, the objects are accompanied by captions and tell the story of the company and illustrate its most significant stages. The first object displayed - which gave rise to Kartell - is the "Pirelli Patent" ski rack, a product that was characterised by functionality and for the use of synethetic materials and foresaw the bases on which the company would be founded: technological research and design.

www.kartell.it

31 October - 4 November 2007
Jingu gaien (Tokyo/ Aoyama area)

100% Design Tokyo made its sensational debut in 2005. Receiving an overwhelming response from both the international and domestic design community as a new and highly respected design event, 100% Design Tokyo has already established itself as Japan’s premier contemporary interiors event.

www.100percentdesign.jp