collection
about Leolux
Patrick Belli: ‘a good design gives you goose pimples’
Leolux has an eye for talented young designers. For years now, we have worked together in projects with students from the renowned Design Academy Eindhoven. Leolux also keeps its ears and eyes wide open at all national and international furniture fairs. And of course, designers themselves make contact with Leolux. The latest string to the bow is 29-year old Limburg designer Patrick Belli, whose Sella armchair seemed to hit the mark for Leolux. An interview with Patrick about fantasy and functionality, passion and provocation, good quality and goose pimples.
By: Monique van Empel
Why not introduce yourself as a designer.‘I see myself as a designer in search of provoking design combined with quality and functionality. I suppose I’m a perfectionist in that respect. I don’t want to lose sight of the image that captivated me at the beginning of the design process, but at the end of that journey want to express it in a product that I as designer can be proud of. I draw my inspiration for that from everyday life.’ How did you come into contact with Leolux?‘That happened via the designers Dick Spierenburg and Karel Boonzaaijer, who I’m working for at the moment. When I presented my idea for the Sella to them, they were immediately enthusiastic. So we decided to offer the Sella to Leolux, because we felt it would fit nicely into their collection.’ How was the cooperation?‘Fantastic! It is my very first design that has actually gone into production, and that with a furniture manufacturer as highly regarded as Leolux. That of course makes it really special. The first idea that came to mind back then when I began with the design has worked out really well and that’s something I’m proud of. For me it was also really interesting to learn how a project like this works between the designer and the manufacturer. Leolux shared our enthusiasm about the Sella from the outset and that made it fun to work on. The communication was good and I really liked the finishing and presentation of Sella in Cologne. All in all, it was a pleasant learning experience for me.’ What is your added value for Leolux?‘As a designer, I’m always looking for products that fuel the imagination and represent a nice combination of form and function. The one cannot be allowed to dominate the other, but must reinforce it. Leolux is a company where that vision is a top priority. At that level we can complement and strengthen one another really well.’ Did you get enough freedom during the production process?‘As a designer, you must never lose the initial spark that gave you the goose pimples. You have to get the power and character out of it to achieve your goal. In that sense, you have to allow yourself the space you need as a designer to arrive at that strong design. In my search for the ultimate form for the Sella, I treated myself to that space, as did Leolux too. Essentially, of course, you must never lose sight of functionality and practicality. After all, a lovely but uncomfortable chair will miss the target.’ How do you see Leolux as a furniture brand?‘It’s a strong Dutch brand that combines quality with captivating design. The fact that they can produce a lot themselves makes them unique. Brands with their own production are few and far between at the moment and that’s where Leolux is different. Their passion for a quality experience is apparent in their furniture. Nothing is left to chance, and I like that.’ What is a good design in your eyes?‘A good design gives you goose pimples, but it also has to do whatever it was designed for. A chair has to offer you the comfort and a cupboard the right storage space, a lamp the light you need. Apart from that, any product has above all to make you happy. Now, but also after 20 or 30 years. Then a design has been successful in my eyes.’ In that respect, do you have an all time favourite?‘I don’t have one favourite design, but there are several designs I really like given the time they were created in and the passion and originality they exude. Take the Panton Chair from Verner Panton for example. A chair I have at home too. It’s a stunning design that stimulates you and adds a quality to your interior that’s unique. It combines a provocative design with a high degree of functionality. It’s a design that tested the limits.’ What is your dream as a designer?suppose you could say I’m at the bottom of the ladder of course. I’ve taken the first couple of rungs pretty well, but I want to go right to the top! I’d love to have my own design studio over time, where I can translate my imagination into lovely products that are appreciated worldwide, but above all by making people happy and fuelling their imagination!’ Patrick Belli (1981, Maastricht) |
|
