The intersection of industrial design and technical fashion often finds its most potent expression in the concept of the "living" object—the idea that a product’s value increases as it bears the marks of its use. At Milan Design Week, this philosophy takes center stage through a collaboration between two Italian stalwarts: C.P. Company and Alessi. The partnership centers on a limited-edition iteration of the 9090 espresso maker, treated with a black PVD coating specifically engineered to develop a unique patina over time.
This focus on material evolution mirrors C.P. Company’s signature garment-dyeing techniques, where colors shift and soften with every wash and wear. The 9090, originally designed by Richard Sapper, is accompanied by a broader suite of steel objects, including a moka set by Jean Nouvel and a geometric tray by Enzo Mari. By applying a matte finish to these icons of domestic utility, the collaboration reframes kitchenware as a technical artifact, as subject to the rigors of time as a nylon field jacket.
The accompanying apparel capsule further anchors the project in Italian design history. Nylon overshirts appear in shades of Deep Lavender and Malachite Green—palettes directly inspired by the factory uniforms designed for Alessi by Memphis Group pioneer Ettore Sottsass in 1983. It is a subtle nod to a period when the boundaries between industrial production and avant-garde art were first blurred, suggesting that even the most utilitarian tools are capable of a quiet, aesthetic transformation.
With reporting from Hypebeast.
Source · Hypebeast
