Now in its second year, the 100 Chairs Project by Marni consists of a group of Columbian ex-prisoners tasked with creating a collection of chairs completely by hand, in order to encourage their resettlement into both social and working life. Using only recycled materials, the project is extremely sustainable and shows Marni's commitment to working with charitable initiatives. 

This year's collection centres around the concept of the 'urban living room' and includes chairs, chaise-lounges, rocking chairs and even the inclusion of tables this year. Each piece has also been constructed in a child's version as well.

Marni are also holding an Inhabi-tants workshop this week (April 13th and 14th) where, like the creators of the chairs, you can make your own little piece from recycled materials, fabrics and varying components. 

Tonight, Auckland homeware label Everyday Needs will play host to Italian furniture designer Martino Gamper. The talented creative is renowned for his project '100 Chairs in 100 Days', and his abiding interest in the social aspect of furniture has earned him many an accolade in the design world.

As well as displaying a range of his one-off creations in the showroom, the designer has produced a limited run of objects especially designed for the home in collaboration with Everyday Needs, which will be available for purchase over the course of the evening. 

If you would like to meet this esteemed designer and learn more about his work, visit the Everyday Needs showroom tonight between 5.30-8.30pm. Eftpos and credit card facilities are available.

6a Kirk Street
Arch Hill
Auckland

Last Thursday evening saw the launch of our September (Spring/Summer) issue of Design Folio at Matisse in Parnell. Along with the celebrated opening of Vitra Home, two hundred odd members of the architecture and design communities joined us to celebrate our biggest issue yet. With delicious wines provided by our friends at Man O' War vineyards and beer from Peroni, it was a great night for design. If you missed out on a copy of this bumper issue purchase a copy by emailing your interest here.

Never has the expression 'Made in Italy' been so fitting for an embodiment of style and international flair. This month, Peroni Nastro Azzurro proves that nobody does it quite like the italians. The quintessential Italian lager house unites six of the world’s most iconic Italian style leaders in a unique photographic exhibition at Somerset House.

In recognition of the 150th anniversary of Italy as a unified nation, ‘Masters of Style: Celebrating The Stories Behind Italian Fashion‘ features imagery, alongside personal reflections and stories, from fashion greats Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Gucci, Missoni and Prada.

Curated by leading fashion commentator, Colin McDowell, the exhibition, made up of six individual pavilions, brings together a compelling collection that offers rare insight into some of the most significant members and defining moments in italian fashion.

Story by Louisa Penney

Last Wednesday evening saw the launch of the Autumn/Winter issue of Design Folio in our Notoriety Gallery space in downtown Auckland. Two hundred odd members of the architecture and design communities joined us to celebrate our biggest issue yet. With delicious wines provided by our friends at Man O' War vineyards and Peroni, it was a great night for design. If you missed out on a copy of this bumper issue purchase a copy here from us.

The inaugural Art in the Dark event is launching in Ponsonby's Western Park this Friday night. Exploring and celebrating ideas of community, environment and utopias, it will transform the park into a temporary community hub, illuminated by installations from various artists along with projected short films and performances. Art in the Dark aims to develop new forms of sustainable practices whereby installations will be powered by clean energy including peddle power.

Art in the Dark, 15-16 October, Western Park, Ponsonby 7-10.30pm.

Last Thursday evening we launched the Spring/Summer issue of Design Folio at a rowdy party held at the new 1885 Britomart bar in downtown Auckland. The space designed by Nat Cheshire, proved to be the perfect venue to indulge in our favourite Man O War wines and catch up with the 300 odd guests from the architecture and design communities who joined us to celebrate our biggest issue yet. If you missed out on a copy you can purchase your copy from us here.

Over the years we've seen many a creative masterpiece that's been born from ideas doodled upon a classic cocktail napkin, and after stumbling across a similar idea from the US; we at Design Folio have decided to launch a competition based around the genius of these embryonic sketched ideas. Our inaugural Cocktail Napkin Sketch Contest is open to all those with a design leaning. Send us the machinations of your creative doodles and our extremely qualified team of judges will choose a winner. Up for grabs is a case of the superb award winning Man O' War Merlot Cabernet 2008 to help toast your success, along with the enviable chance to become an artistic hero amongst your design piers. We'll be sure to publish the best, the most interesting, the most creative, and the ugly, right here on the website.

Email us your scanned images along with a brief synopsis to us here by Tuesday 31st August.

Potential Energy Lighting Collection by Whatswhat Collective from Stockholm.

 Truncheon task light by Commenweath for Mattermade Collection Number One.

Kika stool by Patricia Urquiola for Mabeo.

Swarm room divider by Mike and Maaike for Council.

Loop table lamp by Timo Niskanen, part of the New Finnish Design exhibition.

After our extended design travels through Europe and the UK recently we didn't quite have the tenacity to make it to the ICFF in New York. Lucky for us we have been sent a vast array of images from our various sources of what was on offer this year. Above are a few of our favourites for your enjoyment.

These products are all part of the Quotidian exhibition showing now at Objectspace in Auckland. Featuring New Zealand designers across a range of disciplines from fashion design, product design, furniture design and typography - each designer was asked to draw a reference back to an everyday item that lead to their finished design. Featuring New Zealanders such as Cybele Wiren, Adrian Hailwood, Jamie McLellan, Alt Group and Peter Haythornthwaite among others - it's definitely worth checking out which ordinary items inspired extraordinary outcomes.

Objectspace, 8 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland.