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.
50
The Hamilton Conte collection can be viewed at Marquis@
QSquare, 16 Tai Seng Street, Level 1, tel: 6383-0119.