MAISON&OBJET Americas
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/503691
artisanal creation of a luxe chair for her collection, taking it from handmade frame to upholstered fi nal product. Newcomers to the district share Ronai's enthu- siasm. "Lladró has had a long history with Maison&Objet, having [exhibited] at the Paris show for many years," says Brent McDaneld, CEO of the Spanish porcelain compa- ny's US division. He sees the fair's debut in the Americas as a way to continue the momentum of Art Basel in Miami Beach—and a perfect occasion to celebrate the opening of Lladró's store in the Design District. "Miami is gaining more and more recognition as an art and design world reference, and Lladró wants to be part of this," McDaneld adds. "It's also the window to South America in the US, where our brand is very much appreciated." The deep connections between Miami and South America will be the topic of a panel discussion at the fair, hosted by the Brazilian interiors brand Ornare ( SEE SIDEBAR). Bringing together local luxury develop- ers, renowned Brazilian product and interior designers, and real estate professionals, the event will also celebrate Maison&Objet Designer of the Year Zanini de Zanine, who is based in Rio de Janeiro. For Greg Frehling, owner of Oggetti Designs, the decision to introduce Maison&Objet here is like grant- ing Miami a stamp of approval. "It shows that the city is being taken seriously in the design world," he says, hope- ful that the fair will draw fi rst-time visitors as well as those already acquainted with Miami's charms. On the evening of May 13, the Oggetti showroom will host a talk by up- and-coming designer Vito Selma, who will speak about his country, the Philippines, and how it influences his work through materials, history, culture, and inspiration. The debut of Maison&Objet Americas coin- cides with a new surge of development in the Design District, fueled by rising interest in the 30-acre neighbor- hood. "Right now, [the district] is in transition, but it's possible to see the vision unfolding—a grander, bigger, more cosmopolitan vision of a shopping district that is both safely sophisticated and at the same time a bit on the cutting edge, with architecture that explores new idi- oms and new paths," says Miami-based architecture critic Beth Dunlop, editor-in-chief of Modern magazine. "Craig Robins has always had a commitment to good archi- tecture and good design, as well as to art. And perhaps most importantly, he is also a believer in good urbanism, which is why this is a pedestrian-oriented district." Among the features helping to ensure that the Design District remains both walkable and architecturally signifi cant are hundreds of new places to stow one's vehi- cle, no valet required. The fi rst of four planned parking A reproduction of visionary designer Buckminster Fuller's Fly's Eye Dome in the Palm Court plaza. M A I S O N - O B J E T. C O M 87