As you probably have heard, Black is Back! At the 2010 Salone del Mobile, Kartell is inspired by the abolition of color because it is timeless, sharp, mysterious and magical.  Kartell displays the collection as singular pieces of art, displaying the flexibility and strength of their creative collaborations.  Each piece is approach from its unique creative process.  It's no small feat to move away from the energetic colors which they have always been known for, but the challenge proved to be successful as the designers involved delivered nothing short of great to the world of design.  With collaborations by Philippe Starck, Piero Lissoni, Ferruccio Laviani and Patricia Urquiola, these contemporary pieces are a testament to Kartell's commitment to manufacturing technology, material research and creative innovation. The collection also carries recent arrivals from Tokujin Yoshika, Mario Bellini, Japanese firm Nendo and the Swedish design group Front.

Well, get ready for the black tie event of the year! The collection of simple, beautiful lines and forms take us back to the great 40's and 50's through sensuality and delicacy. The selected works truly make you pause, recollect and approach them with care and a sense of formality. Although plastic is the material of choice, and at times not considered of formal material, Kartell has always created pieces that speak of elegance and modernity. We will not touch upon every piece  but let us focus on several to give you our perspective.

There is nothing more refreshing than revisiting history and turning a classic into contemporary. Fun, elegant and full of historical context, the revisit of the Windsor chair by Patricia Urquiola is one of our favorites. This 18th century English ComBack version introduces a hexagonal rim that breaks into two different time periods. The rim radiates and unifies the back to the arm rests, thus providing a rich contemporary center line; it takes you on a journey of today and yesterday, of memory and hope.

Working with a more contemporary approach the Front Page is reminiscent of a turning page of a book.  By fanning the sequence in a progressive manner, Front captures the full sequence of the motion. Frozen in time, these sequential steps become the sleeves that hold the printed products. A simple gesture not only provides the function but also unfolds a sculptural piece that is sure to become a favorite of many people.

Yatzer's favorite is the "Masters" piece by Philippe Starck. A tribute to three icons of contemporary design -  the Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen, the Tulip Armchair by Eero Saarinen and the Eiffel chair by Charles Eames- this piece weaves all of those pieces into one hybrid chair.  Utilizing the outlines of the chairs, it creates a multi-dimensional framework that embraces and supports the body. The chair is light, open and distinct. An absolute honor to other masters of design.

Although it might seem like a departure from what we are used to from Kartell, the collection is a testament to how they continue to thrive for excellence and innovation. Whether it is through color, form and technology, Kartell has provided us with a great palette to the future of design. Is it too early to begin thinking about next year already? We cannot wait!