Open Your Mind

“It’s a mess up here.” Marcel Wanders is talking about his brain, and the necessary disorder of an open mind in design. “Philosophy is not one truth, but thousands of truths. You don’t have to believe in just one thing. When you choose one idea, you close yourself to the rest.”

After reading this quote, I couldn’t agree with him more. Wanders sure has a way with his words in that they contain such deep meanings and truths. I believe that his words have inspired me to want to be a better designer who is willing to take risks, expand my comfort zone and do things I normally wouldn’t do. He’s given me the confidence to believe that you should not set limits for yourself.

In school, students are like robots. We attain the information we learn from the teachers and do our assignments, projects and design our spaces accordingly to their lectures, standards, and expectations. But where is the creativity? We’ve simply hid it in the back of our minds and hearts because we’re afraid of failing. We’re so focused on getting a good mark that we choose to make design choices that we know will be approved by the teacher and are comfortable with. So in short, we take the easy route by doing the generic, same, boring, already-been-done designs. So how does one stray from that one minded way of thinking?

Wanders believes that the key to great, innovative, new design is to always have an open mind, and to have fun with it. By being open-minded and not taking things too seriously, he allows himself to think of all the crazy ideas that could be used to come up with a strong concept. How else would he have thought of using a rope, something we don’t pay too much attention to, and decide to create a chair out of that simple construction. Or using a soft, delicate doily, which basically acts as a decoration on the dining table, to create a usable, functional and sturdy table. Now that’s what you call an open mind. He thinks of all the possibilities and does not limit it to one idea because otherwise, the design will be static and unoriginal. And Wanders is all about originality.

His open-mindedness isn’t shown only in his way of designing, but also in his belief that “philosophy is not one truth.” We are often shaped to believe that as a designer, you should have one good, strong philosophy, such as being “green” in all your designs.  And with that one philosophy, it will mark your identity as a recognized interior designer in the world. However, Wanders breaks this belief and instead believes that one should not be limited to one philosophy but to have as many philosophies as long as it defines you and your works.

Therefore, Wanders is a man of inspiration. He believes in the strength of an open mind, the beauty of bringing back the old by mixing it with the new, the joy of “inspiring people to make their life a masterpiece,” making beautiful things & the challenge of changing the familiar into something extraordinary.

Villa Moda

Villa Moda is located in Bahrain, UAE, which is an extravagant retail store in the Middle East.  It is owned by a fashion icon of the Middle East, known as Sheikh Majed.  Sheikh is all about taking risks and he wanted to find someone who was just as adventurous and over the top as he was.  He wanted someone who did not have any experience in designing retail stores in hopes that they could design with a fresh eye and new approach.  Therefore, Wanders, who has been well-known for his furniture designs, had the honours of designing the interior of this luxury fashion store.

“The souk is the ultimate marketplace, a concentration of innovation and tradition, diversity and intimacy. Lose yourself in labyrinth passages and find yourself anew. We designed Villa Moda Bahrain as an international Babel of fashion, in order to share instead of divide. Meet the people of the own streets; shake hands and learn each other’s language.” - Marcel Wanders

Those are the words Wanders had to say about the concept of his design.  He was inspired by the traditional souk, which is an outdoor marketplace filled with food and merchandise vendors held traditionally in the Arabian city.  Therefore, Villa Moda combines all of the different, unique cultures and creates a festive place that celebrates people coming together and the joining of all the festivities and joyous moments.

Storefront & Entryway

From the moment you step foot in the store, you are welcomed by a beautiful storefront filled with dozens of oversized pearly white balls and with a single red ball at eye level with the words Villa Moda in gold.  The whimsical and very different, uniquely designed storefront doesn't need to rely on a flashy sign for the store or beautiful displays of clothing because the design already speaks for itself.  You are automatically enchanted by this fun yet luxurious place that you are drawn to walk through the hallway with the large, gold motifs on the walls and ceilings.  It really feels expensive and classy with the white and gold.    

Most retail stores rely on lavish window displays to attract customers, using mannequins, merchandise and props.  But Wanders strays from the norm, and instead, creates an emotional experience that you will remember and want to go back, not just for the merchandise, but for the retail design.  Instead of using the typical glass windows and simple white walls with wood flooring, for example, he plays with patterns, shapes and form using the white pearl balls and decorative motifs. 

Every corner you turn, there is something different and exciting. There is always something that catches your eye. I don't think there is one spot in the entire space where your breath isn't taken away. You can't help but stand in awe of the place. It is very stimulating with all the floral patterns, curves and over the top, upscale decals and graphic designs. However, it is done in a classy way that makes the place feel very hip and happening, and is the go to place for the newest and latest trends in the fashion world. The use of mainly shades of grey and white create a very sophisticated feeling which allows the vibrant, soft fabrics of the different clothing collections to pop out. It is a great way to bring one's attention to the product. 

Just Because It's Functional, Doesn't Mean It Can't Be Beautiful.

“I’m here to create an environment of love, live with passion, and make our most exciting dreams come true.” - Marcel Wanders

That’s what Wanders had to say about why he does what he does. He not only designs because he is passionate about it but because he also wants to design for the people. He wants to design things that people would love and feel like they are emotionally connected and attached to it as soon as they lay their eyes on it. He believes that things can be beautiful.

Now what struck him to be so strong in his beliefs and to be so passionate about what he does? One day in class at the Academy of Arts, his teacher was looking at the clock he designed. Though he was praised for its functionality, the comment that stuck to him the most was why it was so ugly. It was then that he realized that he could design things that are functional but also beautiful.

“Nowadays people don’t just have things because they need them, they have things because they love them. That’s my vision.” - Marcel Wanders

You can see his strive to make a difference in people’s lives just by his designs. Not only are they functional, but you can see the thought process he takes.  He looks at the different elements and tiny details that would serve the comfort and functionality of the product. The chair he designed, as discussed in the blog post, "Sometimes Failure Leads To Success", is nothing like you’ve ever seen before. We’ve gotten so used to normal, round or straight backed arm chairs with the 4 leg posts. And how do we feel about that? They all look the same. They’re nice, but there’s nothing that strikes us and makes us fall in love with the piece of furniture.

But, Wanders does the complete opposite.

He takes the idea of a normal armchair with its sturdy base, cushioned seat and high back which makes it comfortable to lounge in.  But then he takes it to another level and shapes it into a bean bag style made of beautiful crochet, doily-shape patterns.  Instead of the normal, clunky, solid armchair, he chose to make it transparent.  And as soon as you see it, you are taken back by how someone is able to design something so different, unique and beautiful.  You find yourself longing and yearning to buy it and envisioning yourself lounging in the chair with a cocktail in hand.  It makes you feel classy, upscale, and fashion forward.  And with that, Wanders has done his job. He’s made you fall in love with his designs. He has made you see the chair to be more than just a chair. It has become a piece that you feel connected to and defines you and your personality.

Here’s a quote he says to describe his beliefs:  

“I don’t want to make furniture that’s not functional.’ but the problem with modern design is that it defines functionality too narrowly. The more functional a chair, the less we feel it in our butts. The ‘I don’t know it’s there, so I don’t have to car’ approach is fine with a pacemaker. But a good chair you feel in your heart.”

Wanders' love for people and designing for them is something more people need to do. A lot of designers have steered towards focusing on ways that they can highlight their talent or to get praises from people. But Wanders' down to earth personality has made him “legendary, larger than life” as people love him for what he does and his undeniable passion and love for being such a people person. He states “I see people and I just want to be there for them. I want to help them live their dreams.” How could you not love someone who loves to do his job to put a smile on people's faces and warm the hearts of others.