Without a doubt, one of the talking points of the upcoming Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan will be Maison Baccarat’s new lighting series. The legendary House which commissioned some of the most prominent names from the contemporary design world to revisit existing historical pieces or develop new ones, has resulted in some truly spectacular creations.
Having recently acquired colossal attention due to his extraordinary collaborations with names such as Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon, De Beers, Dior, Chanel, Christofle and Ligne Roset, Jean-Marc Gady revisited the Crinoline chandelier, one of the Baccarat collection’s most classical pieces. Gady, who is an emerging figure in French design, renowned for his ability to break the codes of existent luxury and spatial dimensions, eliminated most of the decorative elements of the old version. Different, both in terms of form and colour, this new highly minimalistic piece with a strong independent character still manages to keep its illustrious heritage intact.

Designed by Philippe Nigro, Celeste and Clochette, will also be launched in Milan. Céleste looks East, drawing inspiration from Japanese lanterns whilst Clochette harps back to early-20th-century retro-floral lamps. What the two have in common, is that they both clearly reveal the purity of the crystal after the elaborate and detailed processes undergone in their creation.

The name of the modern version of the 48-light Zenith chandelier says exactly what the Danish Designer Louise Campbell was trying to express. Her Nervous Zenith piece showcasing her instinct, successfully reworks the older, original version. Dissipating the sacred aura of this archetypical chandelier, Campbell’s creation is eccentric and expressionistic. Together with its myriad of tiny imperfections, it is somewhat human in character.

With his collaboration with Maison Baccarat that spans eight years, Arik Levy has created a combination of a lamp and a sculpture. His fascination with Alexander Calder sculptures was his starting point for the creation of the extraordinary Torch mobile-lamp. Sporting either two or four lampshades, Levy’s elegant structure floats almost like a feather creating a fantasy of crystal reflections.

Renowned for their brave combinations of materials and textures, Fernando and Humberto Campana created the Fusion collection; a real fusion of cultures and creative territories. Available as limited editions, these 3D collages enrich the Baccarat DNA and provide a wide range of unconventional blend of tactilities transmitting the exotic origins of the designers.

With Candy Light, Jaime Hayon is back after his successful collaboration with the company two years ago. Although the new series of ”candies” in different sizes and colours have kept the essence and luxury of the original version, the new Baby Candy Light alongside the modular Candy Light ceiling lamp, combine romanticism with elegance through the use of a sophisticated mix of media and diverse texturing effects. The newborn Baby Candy consists of a ceramic base, available in black or white, and a crystal lampshade with a Juvisy cut pattern, giving a playful but elegant outlook that fits seamlessly into all types of interiors.

Last but not least, there really is not much to be said about the new collaboration between Baccarat and Philippe Starck for the Zenithal chandelier. A statement in art and craftsmanship, massively helped by the technology processes used in the crystal ware production, the famous designer has achieved something truly spectacular, thus adding a new chapter to this mythical masterpiece.

http://www.yatzer.com/baccarat-highlights-milan-2013