Magis

Magis was founded in 1976 by Eugenio Perazza in the North-East of Italy, a dynamic industrial district. The brand is led by the desire to provide its customers with highly functional and technological quality products for the home. These products are ethical and poetic, as well as beautiful. Architect Giampiero Bosoni describes Perazza as an "entrepreneur who makes clear design questions that are already an important part of the answer, especially if carefully designed with a talented designer". In terms of design, Magis is undoubtedly a reference company.

 

Over the years Stefano Giovannoni, Jasper Morrison, Konstantin Grcic, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Marc Newson, Zaha Hadid and Thomas Heatherwick are just some of the designers who have collaborated or are still collaborating with Magis. Collaborating with other designers gives shape to a great collection of products, each with its own story to tell and with its own personality to be expressed, in both domestic and collective spaces.

Magis products are 100% "Made in Italy" and transported worldwide to an international audience. The brand’s products guarantee high quality, in keeping with its cultural tradition and artisan roots, through the stylistic evolution and industrial growth, Magis continues to represent one of the company's major assets.

The Magis offices and showrooms are now located in Venice, showcasing all the most representative products from its collections, such as Stefano Giovannoni's Bombo stool, one of the most imitated products in the history of design and the Steelwood Chair by Ronan & Erwan Bourollec, awarded with the Compasso d'Oro ADI 2011. In 2008, the Trioli chair (designed by Eero Aarnio) for the Me Too collection was also awarded the Compasso D'Oro.

In addition to the brand’s numerous awards, Magis products have become part of the permanent collections at museums like the MoMA in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Center Pompidou Paris.

Designer Focus

 

Konstantin Grcic

Grcic was Wallpaper*’s 2015 Designer of the Year, thanks to his ability to do industrial design and conceptual experiments better than anyone. He trained as a cabinetmaker in the UK and studied design at London’s Royal College of Art before heading back to his hometown of Munich in 1991 to set up his own studio. Grcic’s renowned clients include ClassiCon, Magis, Flos, Laufen, Muji, Nespresso and Vitra.

He designed the ‘Spike’ Shelving Clamp, ‘Traffic’ Armchair, '360°' Container, ‘Ettore’ Door Step and ‘Pearson’ Passport Cover for Magis.

Eero Aarnio

Aarnio is heralded as one of the great innovators of modern furniture design, he is known for his experimentation with plastic, vivid colours and organic forms and in general breaking away from traditional design conventions. The Finnish designer's iconic designs include the Ball (1963), the Pastil (1968), and the Bubble (1968) chairs, each of which capture the pop culture and spirit of their time. Aarnio's work is also held at a number of prestigious museums including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, MoMA in New York and Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein.

He designed the ‘Pingy’ and ‘Puppy’ for Magis.

Ron Arad

Arad is well known for his constant experimentation with the materials and his radical re-conception of the form and structure of furniture. He has been at the forefront of contemporary design and architecture for nearly four decades. Associates architecture and design practice was founded in 1989, followed in 2008 by Ron Arad Architects. Arad has an extensive portfolio of studio work and has collaborated with a number of international companies including Kartell, Vitra, Moroso, Fiam, Driade and Alessi.

Arad designed the ‘Voido’ Rocking Chair.

Thomas Heatherwick

Heatherwick Studio is dedicated to creating buildings, spaces, master-plans, objects and infrastructure. Based out of a combined workshop and design studio in London with a 180-strong team. The studio’s founder, Heatherwick, is driven by a curiosity and passion for problem-solving, placing emphasis on embracing and celebrating the complexities of the real world. As a result of such a design process every architect, designer, landscape architect and maker is encouraged to challenge and contribute ideas. Ingenuity and inspiration are used to fulfil projects that are both affordable and buildable.

Heatherwick designed the ‘Spun’ Rocking Chair for Magis.

Iconic Products

 

‘Puppy’

'Puppy' is a small dog as imagined through the eyes of a child, created by designer Eero Aarnio for Magis. The dog features a series of exaggerated proportions and rounded shapes that bring this playful and durable figure to life. Made from plastic, 'Puppy' is sturdy and lightweight and equally suited to play and display, bringing joy to all areas of the home.

‘Ettore’ Door Step

Challenged by Eugenio Perazza, founder and head of Magis, to draw a mule, the company's emblem, Konstantin Grcic created 'Ettore', a character that embodies the hard working and tireless spirit of the team it represents. It was created specifically for Magis' 40th anniversary. Grcic created the initial drawing while working on the brand's 'Brut' cast iron furniture collection and the sketch was subsequently brought to life as a cast iron figure. Strong and determined yet playful and lovable, 'Ettore' is Magis at its core.

'Spun' Rocking Chair

Posed with the task of creating a functional chair using rotational symmetry, a complex question, with a seemingly simple answer, Thomas Heatherwick created 'Spun'. It is a playful seat that maintains a single profile when rotated through 360 degrees. Made from polyethylene, the chair explores both the limits of furniture and the playfulness of design. Placed upright Spun is a sculptural vessel, but when tilted to the side it transforms into a swivelling chair that will rock those sitting in it in a circular motion.

'360°' Container

'360°' Container was created by the German industrial designer Konstantin Grcic for Magis in 2010, the container is a versatile unit that comprises of five drawers. Made from ABS plastic, the storage system is mounted on four wheels to allow for easy mobility and each drawer can be pulled out from a vertical pole to open at any angle.

How To Shop

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• Candlelight & Scents

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• Konstantin Grcic
• Eero Aarnio
• Ron Arad
• Thomas Heatherwick