The latest interpretation of the Gufram Cactus by Paul Smith sees the iconic 1972 design by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello transformed with a sunrise-inspired palette. The launch marks the reopening of the designer’s Melrose Avenue boutique in Los Angeles, whereby the exterior is painted in a distinctive pink hue matched on the Cactus’ body.
It is not the first time Gufram collaborated to transform the design: having worked with Smith himself on a psychedelic Cactus in 2016 (the first time the design’s colour was changed by someone else), the Italian radical design company most recently collaborated with A$AP Rocky on the ’Shroom Cactus’ and with the Andy Warhol foundation on a trio that celebrated the artist’s aesthetic.
Gufram Cactus by Paul Smith
‘The Cactus is obviously an icon of 1970s design – from the same decade that I started my own business – and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to put my own spin on it once again,’ says Smith. At the Cactus’ base is inscribed Smith’s favourite motto, ‘every day is a new beginning’, both a nod to his opening in Los Angeles and the Cactus’ stylised sunrise colours.
The Sunrise Cactus, reads a note from the company, ‘stands as a symbol of resilience, thriving in harsh conditions and representing a willingness to grow and evolve. It represents a metaphorical new sunrise for Paul Smith in Los Angeles, a new beginning for the brand, and a renovated presence of Gufram in the United States.’
‘Because of its geographical position, the buildings’ reflections, and the weather, Los Angeles has a particular light – this is something that always struck me,’ says Gufram CEO, Charley Vezza. ‘The colours, which completely represent the distinctive style of Paul Smith, perfectly reflect the city’s nuances and its unique lifestyle. Indeed, Los Angeles has a freedom that no other city in the world has.’
Gufram's Sunrise Cactus by Paul Smith is available in a limited edition of 169 pieces.
Available via paulsmith.com
-
‘Independence, community, legacy’: inside a new book documenting the history of cult British streetwear label AriesRizzoli’s ‘Aries Arise Archive’ documents the last ten years of the ‘independent, rebellious’ London-based label. Founder Sofia Prantera tells Wallpaper* the story behind the project
-
Head out to new frontiers in the pocket-sized Project Safari off-road supercarProject Safari is the first venture from Get Lost Automotive and represents a radical reworking of the original 1990s-era Lotus Elise
-
Kapwani Kiwanga transforms Kvadrat’s Milan showroom with a prismatic textile made from ocean wasteThe Canada-born artist draws on iridescence in nature to create a dual-toned textile made from ocean-bound plastic
-
Gufram’s red-brick punching bag is a total knockout‘Punch a Wall’, the red-brick punching bag by Gufram and Studio Job, is now available in its unlimited version
-
A first look at Paul Smith and Artek’s furniture collaboration delivering iconic design with a subdued 70s finishPaul Smith and Artek reveal the bold new versions of three of the Finnish furniture maker’s notable pieces: Stool 60, Screen 100, and Coat Rack 109
-
Paul Smith and Maharam document 20 years of collaboration in a new bookPaul Smith and Maharam have created more than 40 textile, wall covering and accessory designs over the last two decades
-
Arnold Schwarzenegger book launch rests on a Radical Design icon reimaginedThis stand for the new Arnold Schwarzenegger book by Taschen was originally designed as a seating object, ‘Capitello’, by Franco Audrito’s Studio 65
-
De Padova and Paul Smith bring colour and character to the homeDe Padova and Paul Smith announce the ‘Everyday Life’ collection of furnishings and home accessories
-
Sir Paul Smith switches up Caran d’Ache’s classic ballpoint with six new duotone designsThe classic Caran d’Ache 849 ballpoint pen receives the stripey Paul Smith treatment, with vibrant colour combinations that evoke the designer’s approach to fashion
-
A$AP Rocky makes first foray into design with Gufram at Design Miami 2022Design Miami 2022: A$AP Rocky presents a new edition of the iconic Gufram Cactus and launches his new design venture, Hommemade
-
Gufram teams up with the Andy Warhol foundation for a new Cactus seriesThe limited edition of the radical design icon was created in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation of Visual Arts
