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People

text Mavis Ang


photos Marquis

who Ross Hamilton Englisbe and


FabiAn Pellegrinet Conte

why The duo have launched their luxeretro home furnishings brand here

what gets them out of bed in


the morning Our work, because the
brands finally reaching out.

above Ross (left) and

Fabian form a perfect


duo as the former is
trained in business and
the latter, in design.
left The Fiona chair
($3,600) was loosely
inspired by the form
of airplane seats.

With founders who come from exotic mixed lineages,


and who have lived in different parts of Europe and the
Americas, its no wonder that Hamilton Conte boasts
varied design influences. We are inspired by the 50s,
60s and 70s, and also American and Scandinavian looks,
says Ross Hamilton Englisbe, who is the brands FrenchAmerican general manager. Argentinian-Italian creative
director Fabian Pellegrinet Conte adds that its all about
taking the best elements of the different styles. This is
an approach Fabian likes to call intelligent eclecticism,
which he says allows him to constantly evolve the brand.
But we always reject the minimalist look, Ross adds.
Ross is trained in business, but had the opportunity
to work with Fabian, who has 20 years of experience
as an interior designer and architect, in presenting a
collection at the Maison & Objet fair in Paris in 2008. Their
luxurious yet welcoming designs caught the eye of many
international clients, and the warm reception led them
to establish Hamilton Conte in 2009. Since then, the duo
have been dressing boutique hotels and private residences
with their sensual and tactile furniture (think curvy chairs in
velvet upholstery), and complementary accessories made
with materials as varied as brass, resin, and wood.
The brands substantial 2013 collection serves up a
diverse range of styles. Although Fabian admits that its
a challenge to keep developing new designs for everdemanding clients, he likes it. When quizzed about
where he gets the constant inspiration essential to his
work, he states matter-of-factly, Everywhere! Living in
Paris, inspiration is practically in the air even in her
supermarkets. While the duo can be considered global
denizens, theyre currently based in Paris, which explains
the tinge of romanticism so often associated with the city
of love in their designs.

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The Hamilton Conte collection can be viewed at Marquis@


QSquare, 16 Tai Seng Street, Level 1, tel: 6383-0119.

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