Firmly believing in “the idea can not do without production and the production can not do without idea”, SML was born. Moreover, SML is open to all who wish to implement a project and to vendors who are looking for new ideas to develop new objects.
SML offers services into the world of promotion, production and commerce which are the pillars of a successful business. It is a great platform that not only helps the present designers in reaching out to world but also encourage budding designers who otherwise might lay-back by the long process of creating idea to finally execute it.
We contacted its founder Luca Righetti for a small interview with us and she has been very kind to spare time for that. Catch her interview below to find what made her create 'SML' and other interesting facts about it:
A brief description of yourself and of the founders or three words that symbolize each of you.
As mentioned, SML brings expertise and diverse skills together Stefano: the Business Manager. A great expert on current and past productions of indoor and outdoor design, as well as being skilled in aspects of production and marketing. Mirco: our Web Man. Computer expert, web interface and e-commerce Luca: the Creative One. Twenty years of experience in projects.
The equation is simple: S + M + L = STYLEMYLIFE.
Where did the idea behind STYLEMYLIFE come from?
SML stems from the fact that creativity is a great resource, especially for our country, but often there are no opportunities to exploit the ideas. In parallel, there are companies capable of the highest quality in production, but these are too burdened by economic and productive constraints: The idea of SML was born to create opportunities to shorten the distance between idea and production, between the Company and the Designer. SML wants to allow ideas and especially “unknown” designers to emerge, giving as many of them as possible the opportunity to see the doors of the world of production open to them.
In your professional experience, Luca, what real difficulties did you encounter on your way to founding STYLEMYLIFE?
I remember that, just after I had graduated, I knocked on the doors of furniture companies, clipboard in hand, to present some of my projects, furnishings and accessories: most of the time nobody even looked at them, many times the doors did not open, and, moreover, the idea and project you were presenting was completely unprotected, leaving you to run the risk of it being produced by others. How can you become a designer of reference for an individual or a company, when you don't yet have an impressive CV? How can you gain visibility?
SML is a complex machine: on the one hand it promotes the ideas and the project; on the other hand it is aimed at other companies, trying to stimulate research and promote their image. It wants to be the first opportunity for designers to see their ideas take shape and put into production with the aim of creating its own online catalog with the ideas of the users. In order to achieve all these goals, SML acts as middle man, creating networks among interested parties in the world of design and, as such, it organizes events, competitions and workshops. In short.... It is a complex machine.... The trick is to keep the wheels spinning.
What would you suggest, "primarily", to young designers?
Regarding the attitude of the designer: Firstly, to single-mindedly cultivate passion and culture in the project. Secondly, never stop being curious and observe everything around you: seek new inspiration for the project and suggestions for improving what has already been designed. Be ironic about the project, but at the same time strict about production methods and materials.
As for opportunities to be seen, take advantage of ideas contests: fortunately we are witnessing a slow but steady appreciation of these contests, increasingly featured on websites and magazines. Know your limits. It is not longer enough to succeed with creativity alone. You have to know how to represent yourself, have good head for business and follow the production and distribution process. All basic building blocks for turning a good idea into a successful object or design. SML is also designed for this: to help its members in the steps of the design supply chain with ongoing and complete support.
How did "Size" come about? The first STYLEMYLIFE product... what message does the icon want to convey?
A partner company (Magi & Co) had expressed the need to organize an event to give visibility to their product entirely Made in Italy: solid wood clothes hangers for high-fashion. This led to our FUORI SALONE display in 2011. Knowing the company meant, for us, understand that their production led to off of an excellent, versatile material (solid wood) which was re-usable. The observation, the irony of the project, the ability to control the production process (in ref to the above question) gave birth to the idea of Size, the first chair also fully customizable in size, and I guarantee: it's also comfortable!
In your opinion, why so much interest in STYLEMYLIFE at the Fuori Salone 2011?
Stylemylife interfaces with the world on its web portal. In Milan we wanted to give it a face, show that the company was made up of motivated people with strong convictions about the project. The designers, especially the younger ones, were very perceptive and understood that the site could be a real opportunity to showcase and meet the world of work. The first pieces of the catalog (size and pratonzolo) aroused curiosity. Pratonzolo, designed by 2 of our users, was the concrete example of opportunities for visibility and production that stylemylife wants to give its users.
STYLEMYLIFE is still in its infancy, but what would you change and what would you never change about the initial idea?
It's too soon to being weighing things up: for now, we're looking ahead.
What does STYLEMYLIFE have in store over the coming months? Projects?
Where did the idea behind STYLEMYLIFE come from?
SML stems from the fact that creativity is a great resource, especially for our country, but often there are no opportunities to exploit the ideas. In parallel, there are companies capable of the highest quality in production, but these are too burdened by economic and productive constraints: The idea of SML was born to create opportunities to shorten the distance between idea and production, between the Company and the Designer. SML wants to allow ideas and especially “unknown” designers to emerge, giving as many of them as possible the opportunity to see the doors of the world of production open to them.
In your professional experience, Luca, what real difficulties did you encounter on your way to founding STYLEMYLIFE?
I remember that, just after I had graduated, I knocked on the doors of furniture companies, clipboard in hand, to present some of my projects, furnishings and accessories: most of the time nobody even looked at them, many times the doors did not open, and, moreover, the idea and project you were presenting was completely unprotected, leaving you to run the risk of it being produced by others. How can you become a designer of reference for an individual or a company, when you don't yet have an impressive CV? How can you gain visibility?
SML is a complex machine: on the one hand it promotes the ideas and the project; on the other hand it is aimed at other companies, trying to stimulate research and promote their image. It wants to be the first opportunity for designers to see their ideas take shape and put into production with the aim of creating its own online catalog with the ideas of the users. In order to achieve all these goals, SML acts as middle man, creating networks among interested parties in the world of design and, as such, it organizes events, competitions and workshops. In short.... It is a complex machine.... The trick is to keep the wheels spinning.
What would you suggest, "primarily", to young designers?
Regarding the attitude of the designer: Firstly, to single-mindedly cultivate passion and culture in the project. Secondly, never stop being curious and observe everything around you: seek new inspiration for the project and suggestions for improving what has already been designed. Be ironic about the project, but at the same time strict about production methods and materials.
As for opportunities to be seen, take advantage of ideas contests: fortunately we are witnessing a slow but steady appreciation of these contests, increasingly featured on websites and magazines. Know your limits. It is not longer enough to succeed with creativity alone. You have to know how to represent yourself, have good head for business and follow the production and distribution process. All basic building blocks for turning a good idea into a successful object or design. SML is also designed for this: to help its members in the steps of the design supply chain with ongoing and complete support.
How did "Size" come about? The first STYLEMYLIFE product... what message does the icon want to convey?
A partner company (Magi & Co) had expressed the need to organize an event to give visibility to their product entirely Made in Italy: solid wood clothes hangers for high-fashion. This led to our FUORI SALONE display in 2011. Knowing the company meant, for us, understand that their production led to off of an excellent, versatile material (solid wood) which was re-usable. The observation, the irony of the project, the ability to control the production process (in ref to the above question) gave birth to the idea of Size, the first chair also fully customizable in size, and I guarantee: it's also comfortable!
In your opinion, why so much interest in STYLEMYLIFE at the Fuori Salone 2011?
Stylemylife interfaces with the world on its web portal. In Milan we wanted to give it a face, show that the company was made up of motivated people with strong convictions about the project. The designers, especially the younger ones, were very perceptive and understood that the site could be a real opportunity to showcase and meet the world of work. The first pieces of the catalog (size and pratonzolo) aroused curiosity. Pratonzolo, designed by 2 of our users, was the concrete example of opportunities for visibility and production that stylemylife wants to give its users.
STYLEMYLIFE is still in its infancy, but what would you change and what would you never change about the initial idea?
It's too soon to being weighing things up: for now, we're looking ahead.
What does STYLEMYLIFE have in store over the coming months? Projects?
Competitions in quick succession, being able to start the first workshops, new pieces in the catalog, and we hope many design events! ...
Some of the wonderful projects by STYLEMYLIFE:
PIX:
BASALTO FIREPLACE:
COMODA:
Luca, thanks for this wonderful interview. STYLEMYLIFE is a great initiative and we wish you all the very best for your upcoming projects.
Check out STYLEMYLIFE.
STYLEMYLIFE on Facebook.
To read more interviews of creative and inspiring entrepreneurs like Luca, you can subscribe to our RSS feed. You can also choose to receive updates via email.
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Some of the wonderful projects by STYLEMYLIFE:
PIX:
BASALTO FIREPLACE:
Luca, thanks for this wonderful interview. STYLEMYLIFE is a great initiative and we wish you all the very best for your upcoming projects.
Check out STYLEMYLIFE.
STYLEMYLIFE on Facebook.
To read more interviews of creative and inspiring entrepreneurs like Luca, you can subscribe to our RSS feed. You can also choose to receive updates via email.
Join our Facebook page as well:
That is really cool! Are they comfortable? I think it is great how creative some people are, chairs from wood hangers - fantastic!