Where innovation meets elegance, few brands stand out like Visionnaire. Known for its iconic blend of sophistication and avant-garde thinking, the Italian Meta Luxury brand has unveiled its much-anticipated 2024 lighting collection – a true testament to Italy’s legendary craftsmanship and forward-thinking design ethos.
Crafted by some of the world’s most celebrated designers, including Alessandro La Spada, Gupica, m2atelier, Draga & Aurel, and StudioPepe, this collection is as much a piece of art as it is a functional lighting solution. With an impeccable fusion of style and technology, each piece is an invitation to immerse yourself in a world where luxury is not just seen but felt. Visionnaire’s lighting designs bring light and shadow together in perfect harmony, enhancing not only the spaces they inhabit but also the very atmosphere of a room.
At the helm of this vision is Eleonore Cavalli, the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Visionnaire, whose keen eye for design has redefined the brand’s aesthetic from its inception. A woman who has carefully crafted Visionnaire’s trajectory, Eleonore has been instrumental in curating collections that blend timeless elegance with modern innovation. In an exclusive interview with Sumita Chakraborty, Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz, Eleonore Cavalli unveils the philosophy behind Visionnaire’s 2024 lighting collection and the brand’s pursuit of perfection.
Presenting Eleonore Cavalli, the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Visionnaire
Visionnaire’s 2024 lighting collection brings together renowned designers like Alessandro La Spada, Gupica, and StudioPepe. How did you collaborate with such a diverse group of creatives to ensure a cohesive and unique vision for the collection?
Visionnaire’s Nomad Collection for 2024 brings forth a selection of lighting solutions that embody innovative design, exceptional Italian craftsmanship and modern materials. The collection includes a diverse array of lamps, such as the Giano collection by Alessandro La Spada, the Parade suspension lighting system by StudioPepe and Lucente and Aracea lighting series, both crafted by Gupica – each designed to become a standout feature in any interior.
In the Nomad collection also the Abbey wall lamp, a new creation by architect Marco Piva, a system with a minimal design but rich in materials and textures. The lampshade is realized in onyx with “hard rock” finishing, consisting in a heavy deep carving, a special treatment that makes the onyx like the surface of a rock. Collaborating with so many designers, architects and creatives is at the heart of our vision and allows us to make Visionnaire collections always unique and enriched with diverse influences and values but in compliance with the concept of the creative direction.
The collection is a blend of progressive designs, fine Italian craftsmanship, and new-age materials. Can you tell us about the design philosophy behind this fusion, and how it reflects the current trends in luxury lighting?
The design philosophy behind this fusion lies in harmonizing tradition with innovation, creating pieces that are not only functional but also sculptural. By blending progressive designs with fine Italian craftsmanship, the collection pays homage to Italy’s rich heritage of artisanal excellence while embracing contemporary aesthetics. This approach ensures each piece feels timeless yet forward-thinking, appealing to a wide spectrum of design sensibilities.
The Giano suspended lamp by Alessandro La Spada, composed of two concentric glass elements that exude elegance and sophistication. The glass surfaces are intricately adorned with a refined grosgrain motif, adding a touch of texture and visual depth. These are further enhanced by luxurious metal borders, meticulously crafted to provide a radiant contrast and a sense of opulence. Perfect for elevating any interior, the Giano chandelier seamlessly combines artistry and high-quality materials, making it a centerpiece that captures both timeless beauty and modern refinement.
Natural materials are used to bring an outdoor feel into both indoor and outdoor settings. A perfect example is the Apple floor lamp by m2atelier. This contemporary design, defined by its clean, minimal lines, features a marble base that houses the switch and supports a sleek metal frame leading to a circular diffuser. The luminous disk, which can be adjusted using an upper handle wrapped in leather, directs and spreads light to create a captivating and sophisticated ambiance.
Each piece in the collection is described as a masterful blend of elegance and sophistication. What are some of the key elements or features that make these lighting designs stand out in both residential and commercial spaces?
The lighting designs in this collection stand out in both residential and commercial spaces due to their combination of innovative craftsmanship, precious materials and versatile functionality for several characteristics: unique materials combined together, like marbles, onyx and glass with metal accents. Artistic aesthetics – sculptural and modular designs transform these pieces into real manufacts. Pieces like the Sputnik chandelier by Draga & Aurel showcase craftsmanship through intricate forms and modularity, blending modern technology with timeless elegance.
Timeless appeal – with styles ranging from minimalist and contemporary to art design pieces, these lighting systems are versatile enough to complement various interior aesthetics, ensuring they remain relevant across trends. The attention to every detail is what makes the difference and elevates the overall design. By combining these features, the collection achieves a harmonious blend of functionality, artistry and luxury that appeals to diverse spaces and needs.
How has the use of innovative materials in this collection transformed the traditional concept of luxury lighting, and what challenges did you face in integrating these new materials into timeless designs?
Visionnaire celebrates craftsmanship as one of the highest expressions of human work and talent – a vehicle for creativity and a testament to art – capable of transforming history into the future, tradition into innovation, and sustaining excellence over time. The brand has developed its business model around the concept of meta-luxury, focusing on the pursuit of uniqueness and excellence beyond the value of materials and forms, while supporting a production network of artisanal districts spread across various regions throughout Italy.
Each workshop, a true expression of the finesse of artistic craftsmanship, brings the highest level of manufacturing quality to our creations and operates in profound synergy with its local territory. This connection encompasses everything from the sourcing of the most sophisticated raw materials to their processing and the tangible experience of skilled manufacturing.
Our master artisans channel passion and expertise into the creation of unique objects – products of genuine love and discernment – that can be passed down through generations as enduring symbols of beauty and the pursuit of perfection. The brand actively invests in the protection and development of Italian artisanal savoir-faire and the creative talent of its master artisans through both tangible and intangible investments in its workshops.
On one hand, it focuses on improving production efficiency, modernizing tools, and developing manufacturing practices that minimize environmental impact. On the other hand, it engages its artisans in cultural initiatives and rewards that recognize and celebrate their work. And it is thanks to this philosophy that the brand creates unique but reproducible artifacts every time, using artisanal techniques as for the Parade suspension lighting system by StudioPepe, an installation of glass elements diffusers made by hand and oven-treated that recall the shapes of a tongue. Taste is one of the most important senses and in this case, it is the metaphor of an all-encompassing sensory experience.
Given the growing demand for both aesthetic and functional design in luxury interiors, how does the 2024 lighting collection by Visionnaire respond to the evolving needs of today’s high-end residential and office environments?
The lighting collection by Visionnaire reflects the growing demand for both aesthetic elegance and functional innovation in luxury interior design. As the Creative Director for Visionnaire, I work closely with the project department – which follows every interior project for the brand around the world – I noticed that there is a strong trend lately of studied and designed lighting with technical pieces combined with bold design pieces capable of making a statement inside the room.
The Aracea lamp by Gupica takes its inspiration from a liana, featuring large oval and heart-shaped leaves. It is both delicate and striking, embodying a reflection on the balance between natural and artificial elements, a constant and variable aspect of the relationship between humanity and nature. Its organic forms are simplified into the components of a practical object. The LED light source, resembling a lifeline, travels through the central vein of the leaf, providing adjustable direct lighting and mimicking the natural movement of a leaf. The lamp includes a convenient dimmer system, allowing users to adjust the light intensity for optimal visual comfort. It is available in floor, wall, table, suspension, and sky-to-floor versions.
Another is Lucente by Gupica, that offers transformative lighting experiences. These pieces not only illuminate spaces but also serve as art installations that evoke emotional responses through their interplay of light and materials. In the Lucente series, for example, the use of PMMA – a regenerated material -demonstrates Visionnaire’s commitment to a lower impact process and dedication to craftsmanship. The varied color gradients in these lights provide a sense of dynamic energy, while the design’s minimalistic yet sophisticated forms suit for different settings, aligning with the evolving needs for versatile luxury lighting. This approach helps create atmospheres that are both visually striking and emotionally engaging.
