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Crème design
Crème design
POINT OF VIEWS
POINT OF VIEWS
8.
10.
circulent sur Pinterest et Instagram
alimente l’intérêt et l’inspiration des
professionnels de l’hôtellerie comme
des particuliers.
Quelle impression vous fait la mégalo-
pole de Shanghai par rapport à Paris ou
à New York ?
J.A. : Comme notre chaise Exchange,
Shanghai est un incroyable mélange
de traditionnel, de contemporain,
de moderne et d’intemporel magni-
fiquement illustré par la rencontre
d’architecture authentiquement
chinoise, d’influence britannique et
française et de bâtiments modernistes.
C’est une ville où les styles se ren-
contrent pour faire surgir quelque
chose de nouveau et d’original.
Stellar Work est-elle plutôt basée à
Shanghai, japonaise ou mondiale ?
J.A. : La scène du design de Shanghai
est l’une des plus prolifiques au monde
et Stellar Works peut être fière du rôle
qu’elle y joue. C’est une entreprise véri-
tablement mondiale : son fondateur est
japonais, mais les compétences qui la
constituent plongent leurs racines dans
l’artisanat français. Comme Crème,
Stellar Works est basée à Shanghai
mais collabore avec des partenaires
du monde entier. Crème se compose
en effet d’une équipe internationale de
designers réunis autour d’une création
véritablement unique.
Quel serait votre « projet de rêve » avec
Stellar Works ?
J.A. : Il y a tant de projets de mobilier
que nous aimerions encore explorer :
peut-être un berceau, des pièces pour
salon ou pour chambre à coucher, un
bureau où travailler debout, du mobilier
d’extérieur, de nouvelles pièces desti-
nées à des projets hôteliers, mais quoi
qu’il arrive des collections qui résiste-
ront à l’épreuve du temps.
10.
With his multi-disciplinary design
studio based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn,
Jun Aizaki has established a forward
thinking practice that captures the
energy and attitude of what a space, and
design in general, can be in the 21st
century. There are no rules, only problem
solving, creating spaces that can be
multi-use, such as restaurants friendly to
a freelancer working during the day as
much as friends out to experience a
good meal and a night drinking,
environmentally innovative ideas such as
the 2018 Timber Bridge, which won the
studio an ICFF/NYC x Design award, or a
branding project that perfectly captures
the subtlety of a particular regional style.
For his award winning, Exchange Collec-
tion, for Stellar Works, Aizaki was partly
inspired by traditional forms, notably
the Windsor Chair, but reinterpreted for
a contemporary audience and aes-
thetic with blackened steel parts and a
versatile backing. Reinforcing this mix of
styles and his love of the handmade and
contemporary construction possibilities,
is the special edition indigo dyed version,
launched in 2017 in collaboration with the
Fabrick Lab. The dye used was organi-
cally grown and applied with traditional
hand dyeing techniques, showing how
these practices can still be applied to
large scale manufacturing, with impres-
sive results. The chair itself reflects an
artisan, rustic appeal but would fit into a
contemporary apartment in any urban
metropolis without hesitation
Tell us more about your practice
Jun Aizaki: Our design studio is like New
York; multi-cultural, international, dynam-
ic, passion driven. New York’s creative
energy inspires us as a whole and the in-
credible variety of individuals living here.
Diverse backgrounds and talents drive
our practice towards a high level of col-
laboration, which is key to our process. We
nurture a culture of design democracy and
draw inspiration from our clientele, our de-
sign team’s diverse backgrounds and from
our extended family of artists and fabrica-
tors. We are storytellers and experience
builders. Our exploration does not begin
nor end at the completion of a building,
space or object, but rather when a person
interacts with the space and the experi-
ence enters someone’s lifestyle.
How and when did you started collaborat-
ing with Stellar Works?
J.A.: About five years ago, we began work-
ing with Stellar Works on a chair design
for our Eventi project. Exchanging prelimi-
nary sketches and prototypes established
a fruitful relationship. The results were
the beginning of the Exchange Signature
collection.
Describe your new collection for Stellar
Works. What is the narrative you employed?
J.A.: The first collection started with the
Exchange Chair in 2015, which was initially
designed with the intention of growing
into a full collection. When the first design
was launched in Paris, it was received with
great interest. This response reaffirmed
our goals of expanding the chair into the
full Exchange Collection. The new collec-
tion is both traditional and contemporary,
timeless and modern. While drawing in-
spiration from the iconic spindle form of
a classic Windsor Chair, we replaced the
conventional wood material for steel. We
created a new design that fits better in a
modern lifestyle. Each version is available
in multiple finishes. The steel chair back is
also customizable in a variety of shapes
and patterns. Employing practical, trans-
formative and humble shapes ensures
that the collection is honest, balanced,
and timeless.
What are the materials, designs and indus-
trial/handmade processes you explored in
this collection, which makes it unique and
distinctive? How did you employ Stellar
Works’ unique craftsmanship?
J.A.: Stellar works began a unique part-
nership with Laval, developing a level
of craftsmanship from a long history of
European design. All wood is worked by
hand while the metal is made by a compa-
ny specializing in bicycle frames, shaved
and finished by hand. We work closely
with Stellar Works through multiple rounds
of prototyping, design, and fabrication.
They do 99% of the work in-house, mak-
ing the collaborative process fluid. They
have all the skills necessary to turnaround
and develop quickly and efficiently. They
also know their market well. Members
of the Crème team spent several days in
Shanghai working closely with the Stellar
Works team to develop early phases of
the collection.
How do you see Stellar Works profiling
itself both on the hospitality and retail
markets in the near future?
J.A.: The power of hospitality is that it
creates an experience that inspires cus-
tomers and offers an opportunity to take
a piece of that inspiration and integrate it
into their own spaces. Nowadays people
are curating their home, creating environ-
ments made of objects they love. Stellar
Works creates this bridge. With Pinterest
and Instagram, people are sharing photos
of hospitality projects around the world
and are exposed to different design piec-
es. It grows interest and inspiration both
on a hospitality and residential level.
What is your perception of Shanghai as
a megacity compared to Paris or New
York?
J.A.: Like our Exchange Chair, Shanghai is
an amazing mix of the traditional, contem-
porary, modern and timelessness. This is
beautifully showcased in the meeting of
Shanghai’s authentic architecture, British/
French influence, and modernist buildings.
It’s a city where styles meet to become
something new and original.
Is Stellar Works more Shanghai-based,
Japanese or Global?
J.A.: The design scene in Shanghai is
one of the most prolific in the world, and
Stellar Works can be proud of the role they
play. They are truly global. Their founder
is Japanese but their skills are rooted in
a French craftsmanship. Stellar Works
is based in Shanghai but collaborates
around the world with different part-
ners, much like the Crème team. Crème
is also formed by an international group
of designers, brought together to create
something truly unique.
What would be your ‘dream’ Stellar Works
project?
J.A.: There are so many furniture projects
we’d love to explore in the future. Perhaps
a baby crib, living room pieces, bedroom
pieces, a standing desk, outdoor furni-
ture, more pieces for hotel projects, but
perhaps most importantly developing
more collections that will stand the test
of time.
9.
8 — Créme, High Backed Exchange Chair
9 — Créme, Exchange Chair Two-Seater
10 — Créme, Exchange, Bar Stool
11 — Créme, Indigo Dyed Exchange Dining Chair
11.
