SKITSCH’s Prêt-à-Porter design is now available through its catalogue. The word kitsch is of German origin and was initially used to describe items of very bad taste; in architecture and design kitsch is a generic definition adopted to indicate any object with a form that does not derive from function.
SKITSCH, a new entry in the dictionary, defines the opposite: “people or things that are not at all kitsch” and comes from the idea that to be surrounded by things that are beautiful and well-designed improves the quality of life. The debut event took place during the Salone del Mobile 2009, with an event that celebrated both the launch of the brand and the inauguration of the company’s first single-brand store, which was designed by Luca Bombassei: 600 square metres and 13 store windows in the heart of Milan, in via Monte di Pietà, 11, just steps away from the Bulgari Hotel. “The demand for design is on the rise throughout the world,” stated Renato Preti, shareholder and CEO, during the inauguration. “If up until yesterday the standards of communications were the automobile and fashion, today design is what identifies social and cultural status. But, in the face of this growth, the offer is inefficient and fragmented. With Skitsch, we offer a new distribution model that is direct and multi-channelled and focuses on three elements: single-brand stores, e-commerce and sales catalogues. This system, along with a very extensive offering of eclectic and original furnishings, not only speeds up the buying process, but makes it entertaining as well.” Just a few months later a new cocktail party was the backdrop for the presentation of the sales catalogue and the announcement of the upcoming opening of a SKITSCH store in London. The catalogue, which is a product of Lapo Elkann’s creative factory, Independent Ideas, with Macs Iotti on board as the artistic director, was conceived of as an editorial project and involved a number of international artists including Katarzyna Kozyra, Ariel Orozco, Ramak Fazel and Elspeth Diederix. A preview of the catalogue was distributed during the presentation and over the next few months it will be included as an insert in various formats in major Italian and international publications (Monocle, Interni, Case da Abitare, Elle Decor, L’Espresso).
SKITSCH, which is based on the philosophy of Design Within Reach (Editor’s Note: affordable design for everyone), a predecessor to Prêt-à-Porter in the USA, offers a collection of 250 pieces, all of which are Made in Italy and include beds, sofas, bookcases, porcelain items, rugs, tables, chairs, candles, games, flatware, jewellery, and outdoor furnishings. About one hundred of these items have been created exclusively for Skitsch by a team of 28 designers, including both established and up-and-coming talents; the remaining items have been carefully selected from among the products that are already offered by the market and which are in-line with the brand’s philosophy.


SKITSCH
EMOTIONAL CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
via Monte di Pietà, 11
20121 Milan
Italy: 199.411.411
Other Countries: +39 06 51763106

DESIGNER
Maarten Baas - Alessandra Baldereschi - Jeffrey Bernett - Fabio Bortolani - Todd Bracher - Fernando e Humberto Campana - Lorenzo Damiani - ding3000 - Dovetusai Studio - Front - Diego Grandi - Ditte Hammerstrom - Xavier Lust - M&A - Minale-Maeda - Philippe Nigro - Pagani Perversi - Palomba Serafini - Jiri Pelci - SOart - Sylvia Pichler - Bertjan Pot - Marc Sadler - Borek Sipek - Paolo Ulian - Joost Van Eijk - Van Eijk & Van der Lubbe

Film credits:.
SKITSCH. Emotional Contemporary Design |Short Film by
Director: Matt Dowson
Music: TRIBUTARY
Starring: Luca Bombassei, Kevin McDonald, Kelly, Elisa.


Via Montenapoleone
20121 Milan
Italy
info@viamontenapoleone.org