Highlights from EDIT Napoli 2021.

EDIT Napoli returned for its third iteration in late October this year. With one eye on global and another on the local design scene, the three day fair scouted designers, manufacturers, artisans and producers with practices rooted in making. Conceived and curated by Domitilla Dardi and Emilia Petruccelli, the event champions the rise of the design-maker and seeks to challenge the traditional chain of production and distribution. “The gaze of this 2021 edition turns beyond the border, with particular attention to the Mediterranean,” says Dardi, the curator of the fair, as collaborations were formed between international brands and designers, including those from France, Lebanon and the Netherlands.

EDIT Napoli is a refreshing twist on a design fair, advocating for products and projects that promote quality over quantity, territoriality over globalization, and those that make a transparent supply chain one of their strengths.

Held across cultural institutions throughout the city for Petruccelli, the director of the fair, it was a chance to connect with the historic and cultural value of Naples through a new lens. “In this third edition, the relationship with the city and the symbolic places of its history is consolidated by connecting them to important international institutions and realities of the design and project culture,” she says.

Supporting and celebrating a new generation of creators, EDIT Napoli is emerging as an autonomous force in contemporary design with Naples starring as the vessel for the creative process.

Read on for 2021 highlight selected by Yellowtrace.

Related: Best Of Milan Design Week 2021, Part 01 and Part 02.

THE FAIR

Refettorio at San Domenico Maggiore. Photo: Serena Eller.

Stochkoom-based brand Stamuli. Photo: Serena Eller.

Margherita Rui for Ninefifty, a young, Sicilian atelier specialising in clay and majolica lava stone production. Photo: Serena Eller.

Very Simple Kitchen. Photo: Serena Eller.

Monogramma Studio for Cimento. Photo: Serena Eller.

Milla Novo macrame wallhangings. Photo: Serena Eller.

EDPM granulate objects by Aufgabe Null. Photo: Serena Eller.

Basis Rho by Jeschkelanger is a hybrid material of multicoloured glass stones and concrete. Photo: Serena Eller.

Belvedere by Luca De Bona (architect and designer) and Massimiliano Tuveri (photographer). Photo: Serena Eller.

Studio Intervallo. Photo: Serena Eller.

Diego Cibelli. Photo: Serena Eller.

At the centre of the action was the Monumental Complex of San Domenico Maggiore. Here, established independent Italian and international brands including Atelier Malak, Forma&Cemento, Golden Editions, Lithea, Milla Novo, Stamuli, The Art and Design Group and Zieta Studio, rubbed shoulders with up and coming and emerging names.

The loft was dedicated to designers under 30 and brands with less than three years of activity. Following their debut in the Seminario section, Basis Rho, Eleit.it, Finemateria and Very Simple Kitchen return as exhibitors, while many other new emerging names from all over Europe were introduced, from the Italians Atelier Ferraro, ccontinua + mamt, Caterina Frongia to French Julia Chiaramonti to Danish Alexander Kirkeby to Atelier Pendhapa to numerous Dutch designers selected through the Young Dutch Titans call out.

EDIT CULT

Photos: Serena Eller.

Hybrida by Patricia Urquiola in collaboration with l’Istituto Caselli – Real Fabbrica di Capodimonte.

Truly a jack of all trades, renowned designer Patricia Urquiola worked with local artisans to unveil ceramic and porcelain prototypes for a new collection, Hybrida in collaboration with the Istituto ad Indirizzo Raro Caselli – Real Fabbrica di Capodimonte.

The unearthly collection takes direct source inspiration from the weird and wonderful that can be found within nature. The exhibit also sought to give back to Naples with Urquiola’s designs being exhibited and auctioned by Christie’s with the proceeds going towards the restoration of the Institute’s garden.

“Shades of Napoli” by Stéphanie Moussallem and presented by House of Today. Photo: Francesco Squeglia.

In the foreground: CAMPANIA, Dimensions | D 50 x H 143 cm
Glass, coral handle, mirror polished stainless steel, french oak wood. Photo: Francesco Squeglia.

POSILLIPO, Dimensions | D 48 x H 150 cm
Cast brass, Velvet, Mahogany solid wood. Photo: Francesco Squeglia.

Stéphanie Moussallem with her lamps. Photo: Francesco Squeglia.

SOTTOMARINO, Dimensions | D 22 x H 31,5 cm
White fabric, mirror polished stainless steel, coral handle and inserts, glossy navy blue painted wood.

GRANITA DI LIMONE Dimensions | D 30 x H 78 cm
Off-white fabric, mirror polished stainless steel, glossy yellow painted wood, stone handle. Photo: Francesco Squeglia.

“Shades of Napoli” by Stéphanie Moussallem and presented by House of Today.

Lebanese interior and furniture designer Stéphanie Moussallem exhibited “Shades of Napoli” within the Made in Cloister Foundation. Working in collaboration with the non-profit Beirut based organisation House of Today, the designer was connected with various artisanal masters in Naples to create an illuminating lighting collection.

Elements of traditional Neapolitan artisanry were combined with noble materials such as coral, multi-hued glass, textiles, silk and intricate woodwork to make up these four distinct lamps.

Photos: Francesco Squeglia.

Federico Pepe’s monographic exhibition “Chest’è”, curated by Federica Sala.

Held within the extraordinary setting of Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri, Federico Pepe displayed his monographic exhibition “Chest’è” curated by Federica Sala.

The designer explored contamination and hybridization through his own art practice with an intricate collection of paintings, sculptures, carpets and editorial work.

La Manufacture at Teatro di San Carlo. Photos: DePasquale+Maffini.

Allie by Luca Nichetto for La Manufacture. Photo: Studio Blanco.

Champignon by Le Front for La Manufacture. Photo: Studio Blanco.

Liaison by Luca Nichettp for La Manufacture. Photo: Studio Blanco.

Intersection by Neri&Hu for La Manufacture. Photo: Studio Blanco.

Playtime rug by Emma Boomkamp for La Manufacture. Photo: Studio Blanco.

Souffle by Luca Nichetto for La Manufacture. Photo: Studio Blanco.

The collections of the French brand La Manufacture at Teatro di San Carlo.

French brand La Manufacture set up within The Teatro di San Carlo. The fashion-forward brand prides itself on combining French allure with the best Italian craftsmanship and this was no exception. The installation showcased pieces designed by Emma Boomkamp, Todd Bracher, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, le FRONT, Luca Nichetto, Nendo, Neri & Hu, Patrick Norguet, Marc Thorpe, Michael Young all within the grandeur of the emblematic Opera House.

Shown here are also some of our favourite pieces from their interesting collection, photographed by Studio Blanco.

Ciao for now.

[Images courtesy of EDIT Napoli. Photography credits as noted.]