How important is it for the Alivar factory to show its collections at the Moscow exhibition?
About 15 years ago we took part in the Furniture exhibition, then we moved to Crocus - to I Saloni Worldwide; if I am not mistaken, this is the third time. This is always a great opportunity to show your models not only in Moscow, but also in other cities: our goal, together with Archstudio, is to develop a distribution network that goes beyond the big cities.
Have you shown the Milanese novelties?
Yes, we brought the Vintage style Blow sofa from the new collection, which went into serial production in July.
We also show the new Arca bed with legs in the same aesthetics as the T-Gong table, Flexa chair and Flexa chaise longue. Everything you see here is already in serial production - we started delivering these models in September.
The coffee and beige color scheme dominates at your stand. What is the reason for this?
We wanted to use warm colors and wanted to avoid aggressive colors. This is how the dominant beige came out, which, in combination with the chocolate shade, as well as with the wooden elements, creates a warm atmosphere. If you touch the nubuck upholstery, you will get a fantastic feeling, it exudes exclusivity.
But such material is difficult to care for, isn't it?
Like all other types of leather, nubuck is a very delicate material, and, of course, there are products to care for it; but you should be careful not to spill, for example, coffee on it, because even with a special impregnation of the fabric, there may be problems with removing stains. But without such a high-end finish, it is unthinkable to produce models that are exhibited in Milan, Cologne or Moscow.
Today, when everything can be seen, picked up and bought on the Internet, isn't interest in such exhibitions waning?
It should be borne in mind that people who are choosing furniture for apartments or country houses for the most part work with design or architectural studios. Yes, interior designers and architects search the Internet for models, collect technical information about them; but, all the same, nothing can replace communication with factory consultants, who can give one or another advice and recommendations on the choice of models and finishes. So, despite the growth of Internet commerce, it is not yet ready for top-class furniture - this is my feeling. Some companies are active on the Internet, but this is more to attract people to their showrooms. When you need, say, a bookcase made to your size, someone has to prepare a project for it, and you are unlikely to spend 20 thousand dollars without talking to experts.
How creative are designers when creating models for Alivar?
We mainly work with Mr. Bavuso, who is the art director of Alivar and Rimadesio, who has created a beautiful kitchen for Ernestomeda. Our main task here is to conduct marketing research and prepare a brief for the designer: we need such and such a bed, with such and such dimensions, with such and such depth. Giving the designer the freedom to choose is risky. The best thing is to listen to clients, learning what they need - at exhibitions we also do this.
We can see the interest of visitors to the Off Shore wall with a sliding panel
Yes it is. Despite the fact that this model is already 5-6 years old, it is still popular. Now, however, it is in demand with a matte finish: in Italy, Europe, North America, people are buying less and less furniture with gloss - this is such a trend, and I do not know what it is connected with.
And here, what are the preferences of the buyers?
Glossy surfaces, of course. The gloss probably gives a greater sense of exclusivity. But this is a matter of time, and it is possible that the trend to buy furniture with matte lacquer finish will come to Russia next year.
Do you create any models specifically for the Russian market?
Not. We try to maintain our style in any country. What we definitely don’t want to do is be a company committed to minimalism: our compromise in this regard is 50-50. Minimalism, of course, is a wonderful style, but its time is over, and in many markets, furniture that helps create a warm environment is now in demand. We use a lot of marble and leather - after all, we are from Tuscany, where there is a Carrara mine and Florentine craftsmen. Let me emphasize once again: we try to maintain our own style, although it is very difficult.
Are Italians still the best furniture makers?
At the moment, yes. What I want to tell you: Alivar is one of the Italian companies operating all over the world, which has a certificate of origin. This means that our furniture is 100% Made in Italy. Four times a year, without warning, controllers come to us, who check warehouses, invoices, documents confirming where we buy and cut leather; where we take and cut the wood. All this is very important: I can buy 1 sq. m of mediocre quality leather in China for 3 euros or 1 sq. m high-quality leather at a price of 19 euros - a difference of 6 times, so it is important to explain to buyers that they are buying from us an exceptional product both in terms of quality and design. Every item we release has a numbered certificate of origin that can be verified online.
What features would you highlight in new products?
The round shape of the T-Gong tables was inspired by Japan; As a material, a special stainless steel with a Peltrox finish was used, which during the Second World War was an alternative to expensive silver that was spent on the needs of the army. In this case, the steel is painted bronze.
Blow sofa has a shape memory effect - when you get up from it, the cushions return to their original shape.
The top panel of the Side unit is made of solid and, at the same time, lightweight acrylic stone HI-MACS - the "brother" of Corian.
We also presented a new vintage Arca bed with painted metal legs, the back of which is covered with polyurethane and polyester dacron with a capitonné finish. Alivar and Giuseppe Bavuso create an environment in the living and sleeping area so that it does not fall apart, but looks like a single whole. Of course, you can choose from different colors and layouts, but at least you have the ability to maintain a single aesthetic.
What do you think of the imitations of your furniture, for example, from the Chinese side?
Nothing can be done with the Chinese. The WTO does not provide international copyright protection, and the only thing we can do is invest in research and development of new materials and forms. When you have such investments, you can always improve, create something original and be one step ahead of your competitors, no matter what methods they use against you.
Is there a temptation to move production to, say, Asia?
If you want to stay in the highest segment of the market, then your products must be made in Italy or at least in Germany. Transferring production to China? Some companies made such attempts, but eventually returned to Italy due to quality problems and labor costs, the cost of which increased significantly compared to the situation 10 years ago.
What are you planning to show in Milan next year?
We are working on the style of several items: armchairs, sun loungers; maybe there will be new pedestals. Now the stage of prototypes is underway and it is too early to say what the result will be, and the clarity with this will be in December. But be that as it may, our goal is to make new collections so that they are in harmony with the old ones.
What is the main advantage or distinguishing feature of Alivar over other furniture manufacturers?
We are very flexible: for example, we adapt sofas and armchairs to the size of the customer - very few people do it. We also use materials of very high quality: wherever the sofa stands, in whatever climate it is, we guarantee its strength, structural integrity, functionality and convenience.
The Alivar factory in Russia is represented by ARCHI STUDIO
