Nendo Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades

"Nomadism is real emotional luxury and freedom".

Born in Toronto in 1977, Oki Sato graduated from Waseda University in Tokyo in 2002 and after that he created Nendo, his design studio - which become in only five years one of the most influential small business in Japan. The work of Sato can be seen in lots of museums around the world, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

For Sato "design" means using technology to promote simplicity, creating "moments" for people in their daily lives: "We believe that these little 'moments' are what make our day so interesting and rich."

Oki Sato has collaborated with Louis Vuitton in the creation of an object for the line Objets Nomade: The Surface Lamp.

1# Surface Lamp

Nendo sees the art of Louis Vuitton as simplicity itself: just surround a void with leather and you have created a travel object. So, after spotting a sheet of leather during a trip to the House's workshops in Asnières, he created the Surface Lamp: a space enveloped by a sheet of exquisite leather. The lamp's thin steel chassis holds the sheet –perforated to resemble Louis Vuitton's Damier pattern when lit– that shades the LED bulbs and disguises the USB-rechargeable battery. And when the time comes to move on, the Surface Lamp can be easily taken apart, rolled up and packed in its harness to take with you. The Surface Lamp is now available with two versions: one using caramel-coloured Nomade leather, the other a light grey, natural leather.

Why did you agree to create an Objet Nomade for Louis Vuitton?

Louis Vuitton is a company with a long history and a rich heritage, which always concentrates on craftsmanship. I felt it would be interesting to interpret these ideas by using light and shadow.

What was your inspiration for this object?

I was inspired by a single sheet of leather that I saw rolled up in the workshop: the beginning of all Louis Vuitton products.

What did you call your object and how would you describe it in two words?

I called it Surface because it is a sheet of leather: the “surface” of the animal and also the surface of the light. The two words would be craftsmanship and technology. The use of LEDs and rechargeable batteries, and the treatment of the leather were a perfect marriage for this object. Plus, the way it can be charged, rolled up and carried around gives it a clear link to travel.