The small, raw space known as Exits Gallery has always operated on the fringes of Milan's design scene. Renegade architect Michele de Lucchi, a founding member of the Memphis movement, who has his four-storey design atelier across the street, traditionally used it for one-off design exhibitions and pop-up events with a cerebral bent. But now, the space has been dusted up and transformed into a full-time lifestyle gallery shop thanks to Connecticut-based furniture designers Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows (see W*169).
'There are certain products we love but couldn't find,' says Fellows, who cut his fashion teeth as creative director at Bally over a decade ago, before launching BassamFellows with his architect partner in 2003. 'So we decided to make them.'
Ten years ago, the duo's first design piece was a winsome four-legged tractor stool crafted from solid timber, and since then they have expanded their offering to lounge, dining, and storage furniture, all of which is now on offer at Exits, the duo's very first retail outlet. Thrown into the mix are lights, glassware and metal objects designed and produced by Produzione Privata, de Lucchi's niche design label.
'The whole idea for us was to have a space we could have fun with,' explains Fellows. 'This isn't a fashion collection, it's not even a collection. It's about individual pieces.'
One such piece is the duo's beautifully crafted Chelsea boot, a model they made for themselves many years ago. After repeatedly being accosted by friends wanting the same shoe, they have now created a range of footwear for both men and women, handmade by a small artisan bootmaker in Le Marche that Fellows discovered while working for Bally. Eyewear meanwhile, was designed in a women's and men's version and is crafted from the boutique producer E.B. Meyrowitz in Paris.
'We'll keep adding things,' says Bassam, referring to the lifestyle objects. 'And if it goes well, then I guess it will become a collection. That's what happened with our furniture.'
Pictured are BassamFellows furnishings including the pair's 'Wood Frame Lounge Chairs' in solid Walnut, 'Plank Coffee Table' in solid Santos Rosewood, 'Daybed' in solid American Black Walnut, 'Tray Rack Side Table' in carved solid Walnut, 'Wall Drawer Series' in solid Walnut plank, and (far left) BassamFellows boots for both men and women.
Thrown into the mix are lights, glassware and metal objects designed and produced by Produzione Privata, de Lucchi's niche design label. Featured here is BassamFellows' 'Leather Desk Petit' in Walnut and 'Mantis Side Chair' in carved solid Walnut with a leather cushion, and ontop: 'Soft Series Desk Accessories' in carved solid Walnut.
This scene from the raw showroom includes BassamFellows' 'Wall Drawer Series' in solid Walnut plank, the duo's famed 'Tractor' and 'Tractor Counter Stools' in carved solid ebonized Walnut, 'Circular Coffee Table' in solid Walnut, and BassamFellows boots.
In the background is BassamFellows' 'Circular Dining Table' in solid Walnut and 'Mantis Side Chairs' in carved solid Walnut. In the foreground: BassamFellows 'Tractor Bar Stool' in carved solid Walnut and 'Wall Drawer Series' in solid Walnut plank.
'There are certain products we love but couldn't find,' says Fellows, who cut his fashion teeth as creative director at Bally over a decade ago, before launching BassamFellows with his architect partner in 2003. 'So we decided to make them.' Pictured: BassamFellows 'Circular Dining Table' in solid Walnut and 'Mantis Side Chairs' in carved solid Walnut.
An exterior shot of the gallery space, which has always operated on the fringes of Milan's design scene until now.
ADDRESS
BassamFellows Lifestyle Gallery at Exits
Via Varese 14
20121 Milan
Italy
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