Vitale Barberis Canonico

On the occasion of Fuorisalone 2024, Vitale Barberis Canonico, with 360 years’ history one of the oldest wool mills in the world and guided by the passion of one family, and Driade, an aesthetic lab which represents an eclectic mix of Rock, Pop, Sexy, Sophisticated and Experimental, in constant search of beauty in living spaces, collaborate in perfect synergy, interpreting the slim boundaries between design and fashion.
From 16th – 19th April, the showroom of the Biellese company will be transformed into a stage where the fabrics take on life through the icons of Driade.

On display at the showroom at Via Solferino 23, there will be a poetic installation in which the contents are “hidden” by the exquisite Vitale Barberis Canonico fabrics, evoking an imaginary suspense, waiting to be discovered. The fusion of the two worlds manifests itself in all of the surrounding space, where the fabrics are set out in a theatrical way, even becoming the covers for the Driade furnishings.

The theme of this experience traces a journey between the past and the present, the artisanal and design, tradition and modernity. A leitmotif which manifests itself in a tangible fashion “wrapping” the Vitale Barberis Canonico fabrics around the Driade icons, creating a connection between similar elements and worlds. Homage to creativity, craftsmanship and Italian industrial virtuosity.

This theme takes the visitor from the showcase to the central space of the via Solferino 23 showroom, to the HALL sofa by Driade in the iconic Vitale Barberis Canonico woollen tartan flannel, must-have fabric for a gentleman’s wardrobe and emblem of timeless style. Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni during the height of the minimalist period, the HALL collection once again proposes values such as domesticity and comfort.

Also on display, covered with a reversible double Melton overcoat, in ton-sur-ton colours on both faces: the VERLAINE sofa with its exceptional, expressive versatility reminiscent of sinuous, organic forms; the IPERCUBO armchair, as a complement to the timelessly contemporary furnishings designed by De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi; the LISA armchair by Laudani & Romanelli which use these means to evoke the rediscovery of the “understated”, of the volumetrically contained; and the BLOCCO seat created by N. Vigo according to the philosophy of the limits of the necessary.

The Vitale Barberis Canonico showroom is open from Tuesday, 16th April – Friday 19th April from 10.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m. with an introductory cocktail, and on Wednesday 17th April from 6.30 p.m. by invitation only.

Francesco Barberis Canonico, Creative Director and a member of the 13th generation at the helm of Vitale Barberis Canonico, says: “It is an honour and a privilege to collaborate with a historical Italian design brand such as Driade and seeing their icons dressed in our fabrics embodies the maximum expression of beauty and Italian know-how.”

Marco Pozzo, MD at Driade affirms: “The combination of our iconic furnishings with the exquisite Vitale Barberis Canonico fabrics represents a coming together of two worlds in Italian excellence. This is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, the artisanal skill and the innovation which characterise both the brands. Together, we create an experience to reflect the essence of Italian design and its role in inspiring living spaces.”