AnthonyTsai
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Panerai opens 2nd Paris Boutique and 1st new design concept by designer Patricia Urquiola
Paris – September 11, 2014 – Angelo Bonati, CEO of Officine Panerai, was in Paris on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the Italian luxury sports brand’s first boutique featuring a new design concept developed by the Milan-based designer Patricia Urquiola.
OFFICINE PANERAI OPENS SECOND PARIS BOUTIQUE
Officine Panerai – Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré First of Five New Boutiques Designed by Patricia Urquiola
The new design concept, conceived by the renowned Spanish designer, was developed by integrating specific characteristics of each boutique’s locale with the history and identity of Officine Panerai as the official instrument supplier to the Italian Navy. In the new 330-square-foot Paris boutique, which is located on the prestigious Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, the nod to Panerai’s nautical roots takes the form of an elegant, uncluttered space composed of marble, bronze and wood, utilized to suggest the universe of the sea, the brand’s Florentine origins and the technicity of watchmaking. The undulating glass evokes waves and the clear nautical inspiration of the elongated windows and chandelier continue to evoke Officine Panerai’s historical ties to the sea. Patricia Urquiola’s ability to combine modernity and tradition is the perfect complement to Panerai’s philosophy – a reverence for the past, the importance of innovation, and the seamless integration of design and technical expertise.
This new boutique concept will also be adopted in Florence, Hong Kong, Miami and New York in the coming months.
“Entrusting the development and creation of our new Boutique Concept to Patricia Urquiola has been a stimulating challenge”, said Angelo Bonati, CEO of Officine Panerai, in his words of welcome. “I use the term ‘challenge’ because several influences have come together here: on the one hand is a luxury watch brand with a military heritage, which is always communicated in a subtle, exclusive way, referencing a universe of values and classic aesthetic codes by its restraint; and on the other hand is an eclectic Spanish designer endowed with a creativity unfettered by boundaries, expressed through her love of color and forms and her ability to surprise. We have found common ground in matters that appeal to the heart; in the love of design, rigorous execution and consistency with the history of the brand, and in the search for excellence.”
“I feel close to the values of technology and simplicity developed by Officine Panerai” explains Patricia Urquiola. “We have the love of design in common; a design that highlights technology in an original manner, never ostentatiously, and where everything must appear simple. This is the essence of the brand. This approach embodies reliability, consistency and quality.”
With the opening of this second boutique in Paris, Officine Panerai aims to strengthen its presence in France, a prime market for the brand. The new Officine Panerai boutique will join the existing Paris boutique at 5 Rue de la Paix, amidst the most prestigious international watch brands. With the opening of four more new boutiques designed by Patricia Urquiola, Panerai will have 65 boutiques all over the world.
OFFICINE PANERAI BOUTIQUES
PARIS
5, RUE DU FAUBOURG SAINT HONORE
75008 PARIS
5, RUE DE LA PAIX
75002 PARIS
From Monday to Saturday, from 9.30 am to 7 pm
OFFICINE PANERAI
Founded in 1860 in Florence when it consisted of a boutique, a workshop and a watchmaking school, Officine Panerai has for years been the supplier of precision instruments to the Italian Navy, in particular equipping the commando frogmen. The projects which were created at that time, including the Luminor and Radiomir watches, remained covered by military secrecy for many years, until the purchase of the brand by the Richemont Group in 1997 and its subsequent launch on the international market. Today, Officine Panerai develops and produces its own movements and watches – combining Italian design and Swiss manufacturing perfection – in its manufacture at Neuchâtel, and these are sold through an exclusive global network of authorised dealers, as well as in its own-brand boutiques throughout the world. www.panerai.com
Patricia Urquiola
Patricia Urquiola was born in Oviedo, Spain, in 1961 and she now lives and works in Milan. She studied at the architecture school of the Polytechnic University of Madrid and then at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where she took her degree in 1989 under the direction of Achille Castiglioni. After being assistant lecturer to Achille Castiglioni and Eugenio Bettinelli in Milan and Paris, in 1990 she became responsible for the new product development department of De Padova and worked closely with Vico Magistretti. Later she became head of the Lissoni Associati design agency.
In 2001, Patricia founded her own studio centred around design, architecture and her own installations. The following are a few of her recent architectural projects: the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Barcelona, the Das Stue hotel in Berlin and the Spa of the Four Seasons Hotel in Milan, not forgetting the showrooms and installations for Gianvito Rossi, Flos, Missoni, Moroso, Officine Panerai, H&M and Santoni, as well as the overall concept of the Pitti Immagine in Florence. Patricia’s design clients include many major Italian and international companies.
Several of her works are exhibited in various museums and collections. She has won numerous international prizes and awards. Notable among them are the Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes (Gold Medal for the Fine Arts) awarded by the Spanish government; the Order of Isabella the Catholic, presented by His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain; the title Designer of the Decade by the two German magazines H.O.M.E. and Häuser, and the title Designer of the Year by the magazines Wallpaper, AD Spain, Elle Deco International and Architektur und Wohnen.
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2014-09-12 07:16:30
