The last Operae: Independent Design Festival was not really an exciting edition: some side projects appeared sometimes more interesting than exhibitors (read here). But there is always someone who stands out, fortunately.

In alphabetical order, here’s the first half of the 16 exhibitors who have caught my attention.

Italian and international designers who cultivate intelligence and creative autonomy becoming fulcrum of the entire production.

Alessandra Roveda

I really would like to meet Alessandra Roveda in person, too bad she was not at the stand! Her corner display was worthy of an important exhibition: the installation was almost out of place, as her work is really artistic and goes beyond utility and pragmatism typical of design. she is a professional designer who knows how to look beyond; her space was a feast for the eyes, a piece of dream that made my eyes sparkle.

Ariafritta

Ariafritta was born thanks to two girls from Como claiming: “We made ​​scarves and bags that we would like to wear every day.” And what I would wear, and I bet many of you will want to wear.
My favorite piece is the backpack, the more expensive of the collection, of course. It is a dream for now, but it’s officially on the wishlist.

Eetico

Eetico is a project developed to create synergies between designers and artisans in Tuscany. Here in Turin they presented the series “Le Cinque”, lamps realised using an ordinary chicken wire, made precious by a gilding treatment and by the handmade operation on each piece.

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Giovelab

Giovelab G is porcelain and stoneware from Trentino. Poetic objects, in minimum thickness: the autumn-winter collection, previewed here, is amazing because it perfectly fits to elegant solutions, as well as more contemporary and informal table settings.

Jamais Sans Toi

Jamais Sans Toi is surprising me, year after year. Their jewelry is really, really ridiculously good-looking (there’s no sarcasm here). Their brass and white porcelain ring is my favorite and I wear it in any occasion. I am madly in love with their very first collection, now available in different colours (traditional white and black, but also gray and taupe). I still have to process the new Pixels collection shapes, but I think it won’t be a problem.

Johnny Hermann

Johnny Herman Camp, previewed here, is something wonderful: a pot in chestnut or elm wood with a metal cage glazed in bright colors, which houses a small succulent plant. He presented many products, including the legendary hand-carved Wooden Popsicles and Fortune Cookies, made in solid wood and sterling silver.

Laboratorio Zanzara

Laboratorio Zanzara is a social cooperative operating to help the integration of people with mental disorders, through a purely creative work. I remember when I was living near the old lab and I looked at the pot collection growing, throw the street window.
The aim of the project is “the development of the individual, of their skills and attitudes in order to carry out work activities whose results can be qualitatively significant to be exhibited and sold; this process allows people to integrate with the outside world, making them active part of society.”

lepalle.it

This year I have the honor of being the author of one of the lepalle. This year, besides the already traditional Christmas balls designed by Elyron (at least in Turin it’s difficult to find someone who still does not have them), new products have been presented: breakfast placemats, aprons and t-shirts. Santa Claus will bring me the one which says: “Il nero mi sfina” (Black makes me look skinnier).
[below: my own ball at Festa delle Palle, the event I miss… photo by Videostille via Facebook]

>> Visit back the blog on next Wednesday to read the last post about Operae, including Less is Home, Livia Polidoro, Micromacro, Mnmur, More than One, Mr. Nico, Nina and other little things, Tonki <<