Studio Visit: Andrea Tognon

Valextra’s new boutiques are a Milanese meeting of minds.

“Combining and finding equilibrium between elements is part of what I try to achieve through my design,” says Milan-based architect Andrea Tognon, our collaborator in realising Valextra’s codes for our new era of global boutiques and the first guest on our new Studio Visit Series. 


Tognon’s work is world renowned for existing at the intersection of architecture and design through the observation of how form and spaces can communicate emotions and convey identity values. Our partnership with him places Valextra’s unique Milanese identity as the protagonist in our places around the world, creating shopping spaces that complement our product and invite our customers to experience and connect with the core values of our brand in an elegant and emotional way.

 

Introducing his pursuit of equilibrium to Valextra’s pursuit of present continuous contrasts has resulted in a collaboration that defines Valextra’s design ethos of intuition-led urban craft in our physical spaces.

“Working for a brand is to have a constant dialogue and to try and understand what is the architectural identity that can fit for them,” he says. “I start from the logic and the spirit of the product, then of course you start to see different textures, colours and materials and [from that point] you try to keep this spirit and design a space that is very detailed where every centimetre matters.”

 

It has resulted in realising the juxtaposing structures and materials that define Milan’s signature negotiation between the sober and spontaneous, all the while paying close attention to the detail that defines Valextra. As such, door handles that take their cue from our legendary Tric Trac wristbag; shelves cast shadows to evoke our artisanal Inchiostro lines - the finishing touch on each Valextra handbag; and stoic plant pots housing vibrant vegetation mirror Milan’s external-internal chasm.

 

Positioning our leather goods in a welcoming space that celebrates our ethos of engineering beauty could only be done by someone who shares our enthusiasm. “You cannot start to do what I’m doing if you’re not enjoying it,” says Andrea. “If you like it, it’s a full-on pleasure.”