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Giopato & Coombes, Cristiana and
Christopher, are a dynamic professional
duo and a real life couple. They met at
University, in London in 2000, and have
been together ever since. From their
personal relationship an unexpected
professional chemistry blossomed which,
years later, took its current form in
Giopato & Coombes.
Cristiana’s interest in design and artisanal
objects started early in life, through her
mother’s passion for Murano glass and
a collector of antique glasses. “She used
to take me with her on expedition trips
searching for the most hidden and saught
after of Master Blowers.
To assess the provenience of the glass, she
always touches the base of the glass. If it
has an imperfect central area, she was
happy! She would explain this was proof
of real Murano artisans: it is the hallmark
of the final gesture where the glass is
fractured from the blowers cane.
“Since then, I was fascinated by this
delicate material, which spilled over into a
troubled respect. It took me years to build
up the courage to approach Murano glass
and to create forms with it. Now, years
later, this glass is one of the stars of our
vision and collection”.
Christopher’s
approach
to
design
represented a challenge. “I shortlisted
two subjects which for me revolved
around technology: either Mathematics
or Design. In the end I chose the unknown
world of innovation with the challenges
associated of not having the right answer,
as Renzo Piano wrote “It’s like looking into
the dark”. Design is never right or wrong,
there are so many paths a project can
take.
After years of designing for other
companies,
in
2014
Cristiana
and
Christopher decided to risk everything
and
launch
their
first
completely
independent line of lamps. They filled a
small VW van with their first prototypes
and left for London, to participate in a
small group exhibition. “It was so exciting,
but also somewhat crazy” laughs Cristiana,
as
Christopher
smiles
reservedly,
remembering their adventure. “Once we
got to London we couldn’t believe how
enthusiastic people were about our vision.
We received some contacts right away
from architects and galleries and that was
the beginning of it all.”
Cristiana and Christopher aim to create
objects that go beyond what meets the
eyes, something that evokes memories
and emotions in people.
Christopher recalls an experience in
particular: “We had a client from Japan
who wanted to decorate the house he was
building for himself and his grandfather
with our Bolle lamps. He told us him and
his granddad used to blow soap bubbles
together when he was little, and that they
still fondly cherished that memory. He was
enchanted by the idea of having those
evocative bubbles always present in his
house, for his grandfather to enjoy.
Stories like this are what inspire us and
ultimately the reason why we choose to
design.”
AN ITALO-BRITISH AFFAIR
