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S ometimes simplicity is the key. Yet we find that keeping things simple is easier said than done. Far too often, we see work that is over-designed, or a copy of a copy. Fendi's collaboration with furniture and accessories brand Mabeo Studio from Botswana stands in stark contrast. The booth saw no flashing lights, no tricks — just a small projection and 10 very special pieces of furniture that captured our minds amid the hutzpah that is Design Miami. Conceived by Kim Jones, Silvia Venturini Fendi, and Delfina Delettrez Fendi, the collaboration is a master class in how craft and ancient techniques can combine with contemporary design to produce remarkable results. Working with craftsmen from different regions of Botswana, Mabeo's collaborative effort with Fendi is called Kompa, a word that signifies something that is complete. Indeed. These works speak for themselves. The warm woods are expertly carved and crafted with soft, luxurious curves — this is furniture that speaks without saying a word. A beautiful mix of shape and form, the Shiya seat is a wonder. As is the Shiya seat. In it, we see the line, the sphere, and the cylinder being turned into something magical. This is collaborative alchemy, the rare instance when the sum is far greater than its parts. A job well done, and our favorite collection of the week. fendi.com, mabeofurniture.com. SIMPLY DIVINE I magination is one of the great strengths that we possess: the ability to shape and form the materials around us, imparting our own sensibilities while bringing them to life. From the subtle to the sensual and everywhere in between, artists, designers, and people of all walks of life personalize the world that surrounds them, instilling excitement and vibrancy into the mundane and boring. For Design Miami, Dior gave its iconic Medallion chair to 17 artists and designers to reinterpret it by whatever means they see fit. The results offer a window into each talent's mind and encourage us to look at the object — and the world — in different ways. The Medallion chair is "sober, simple, and above all, classic and Parisian"— an important code of the house. In celebration of the classic design, Dior commissioned Sam Baron, Nacho Carbonell, Pierre Charpin, Dimorestudio, Khaled El Mays, Martino Gamper, Constance Guisset, India Mahdavi, Nendo, Joy de Rohan Chabot, Linde Freya Tangelder, Atang Tshikare, Seungjin Yang, Ma Yansong, Jinyeong Yeon, Tokujin Yoshioka, and Pierre Yovanovitch to make it their own. The remarkable collection of designers has done just that. One of the more inspiring collections shown at this year's Design Week, the work is both captivating and fascinating. FASCINATION STREET Ma Yansong Tokujin Yoshioka Ma Yansong in his studio with his artistic take on the Dior Medallion chair Kompa collection by Mabeo Studio chair and customized Fendi Peekaboo bag © KEN NGAN (Continued from page 70) 72