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April 26, 2006
Color Me Authentic Part 2 by Renée Labbé

HISTORY & HERITAGE IN THE RE-MAKING

In Part 1 of this trend, we discussed the consumer’s growing desire for increased integrity in the products they buy and the corporations they support. In Part 2, we discuss another facet of this demand, the increasing desire for authenticity.

Was there ever a time when these qualities seemed to exist in abundance? If we escape in our minds back to moments in time when the essence of what we are missing today was more prevalent, we often begin to associate the products of those moments with the values we are seeking. The handmade rocking chair at the summer cottage that’s genuine and comforting, souvenirs from vacations in foreign countries that bleed with humble sincerity, that reliable and sturdy piece of hand-me-down furniture that’s never bent, busted, or broke down….

The hand made products of our past, toiled over by artisans who honed their skills through apprenticeship and hard labor, had a certain amount of perceived integrity because they could withstand the wear and tear of time. But there was something that ran deeper than that, as if the sincerity of the craftsman was transferred to the product, creating an authenticity not available in many products today.

Slowly but surely, a handful of companies today are feeling the void and are re-exploring what it means to offer authenticity in design. For some, it means producing handmade goods that are built to last. Adrianna Shamaris, a designer & retailer with stores in NY & Malibu, searches the world over for materials for her hand made furniture & accessories. For others, it means designing with an ethnic or folkloric aesthetic or technique. At the fashion house of Kenzo for example, designer Antonio Marras embellishes his collection with mixed folkloric and traditional references. And yet for others it means creating unparalleled products while maintaining a deep connection to and respect for nature. British company Stilelibero creates stylish yoga mats out of simple cork, a material that cushions the body, is a natural anti-bacterial, and is obviously non-harmful to the environment.

At Voice of Color, we salute these modern-day craftsmen who so beautifully bring the traditions of our past and of our global culture into designs that speak volumes in our modern world.

Modern Artisan, by design

Reminiscent of the days when goods were lovingly produced by hand, the Modern Artisan story pays tribute to a time before manufacturing, before computer aided-design, before massification.

At the heart of this story are authenticity and craftsmanship. Designs featured here offer a sense of history, culture, and heritage - as is evident in the vase by Ernst Gamperl, painstakingly sculpted from 250 year old oak. There is also a feeling of integrity in each design, such as that of the individually made table & bench set by London-based Tablemakers. And of course, design bears a resemblance to “simple” and “honest” references from our past, such as the old-school ceramic milk jugs by Camila Prada.

Modern Artisan, the palette

Hieroglyphic from the color family Tapestry & Mosaic Palomino from the color family Leather, Stone & Wood

Authenticity is represented by the Hieroglyphic harmony, a range of tones that plays on the subtle strength of hues such as Tweed, Cathedral Glass, and Friar’s Brown. The overall effect is cool and subdued with a hint of sophistication and charm - like a talented artist who remains behind the scenes, content to let his work speak for itself. Craftsmanship is represented by the Palomino harmony and is made up of pigmented shades such as Ancient Copper, Crescent Moon, and Navajo White. The palette embodies the richness and spirit of salvaged artifacts, heritage pieces, and natural treasures. It acts as a visual “memoir” of our past while still offering a completely modern combination of hues that’s warm and comforting.

Posted by: Renée Labbé

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