Marcel Wanders x Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades

Marcel Wanders is not only one of the most praised designers in the world, he is a star. He is so because of his unwitting charm, his natural verve, the energy and humility with which he speaks about his latest professional achievements. He is so also in the look. White shirt (unbuttoned), dandy waistcoat and artist detail: a wrist watch with a showy multi coloured strap, which interrupts the austerity of his uniform.

We met him at Louis Vuitton Milan flagship store, where he introduced us to the decomposable Chaise Longue he designed for the Objets Nomades line of the House, which is enriched every year by new furniture pieces – rigorously movable.

He has just moved to Milan. He is also "nomad", as the Chaise Longue he has just created for Vuitton.

You created many objects throughout your career. Which is the one you are attached to the most?

My chair I did for Vuitton, of course! It’s an interesting and magic object. Creating an “objet nomade” is been a nice challenge, as well as working with a brand like Louis Vuitton. At the end, we created a “transformer”, an object which has an identity because of its movement, because it is able to transform itself. It’s exciting because I would have never made this object without this precise request – mobility – which makes it a unique piece. When you work with a partner, you always end up doing something you would have never created alone. My product is my baby. Of course I’m the mother, and Louis Vuitton in this case is the father. You need to pick the father well to make a good product.

Why it is important to create “nomad” objects nowadays?

Recently, life has become more and more active. There’s movement everywhere. The idea that an object has in itself this kind of feature is very poetic. We’ve all become more nomads nowadays: we’re always going somewhere else or moving somewhere else. We also change our opinions more often than before. I lived in San Francisco last year and last Sunday I moved to Milan for one year.

That's a good news! Do you like Milan?

I love Milan! That’s why I decided to move here for a while. I want to learn how to cook and of course I want learn the language. Next year we do this interview in Italian – “Promesso!”

In which contexts do you image the Chaise Longue you designed for Louis Vuitton now that it’s on sale?

People always surprise me for what they do with the things I make. I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen with this one.

Will you look for it on Instagram to find out?

Yes, maybe! At the moment I envision it will probably not go in a ski zone up to the north, but in calm, warm areas. I imagine it surrounded by palm trees, or maybe in a house garden, or a balcony, or a living room. Anywhere warm you can stop and relax. Definitely not in a kitchen! We are presenting it in Milan now, where it’s Spring already. Can you imagine presenting it in Moscow in winter?!

You’re a veteran of Milan’s Salone del Mobile. Can you name three things that impressed you during this edition?

There are amazing things in the Salone, but it’s hard for me to see them because I’m always running around for work. I saw some things, but I’m sure there’s so much more out there. I was at Qeeboo (new design brand by Giovannoni for which Marcel created the B.B. Collection) and they had this wonderful lamp by Richard Hutten, a very simple but beautiful piece. I also liked the one by Andrea Branzi, and Starck made beautiful chairs for Magis. But I wish I had seen more.

You will now that you’ve moved here.

All the time!

The Louis Vuitton Chaise Longue by Marcel Wanders is available through the Made To Order service in different colourways.

Photos courtesy of Louis Vuitton.