(Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer by Tessa Prieto-Valdes | May 30, 2015)
Italian furniture brand Calligaris made quite a splash in the local interior design retail scene last month with the opening of its brand-new showroom at The Fort.
Seen welcoming guests to the contemporary showroom during the launch was Alessandro Calligaris, company chair and member of the family’s third generation. By his side was Florence Ko, managing director of Gruppo Mobili Philippines, the distributor of Calligaris in the country and also the parent company of luxury home store Furnitalia, custom closet and kitchen crafters Space 2000, and lighting specialist store Lucem.
Flying in for the grand launch, Alessandro Calligaris came to the Philippines with his lovely wife Bruna. Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno joined the elegant Italian couple for the ceremonious ribbon-cutting affair together with Furnitalia’s head William Ko.
Exclusive partnership
This exclusive partnership brings to the Philippines smart and beautiful furniture that is 100-percent Italian made. Florence told me how excited the company is with the launch of Calligaris’ new home and showroom at the Fort. Being a known global Italian brand, its name exudes stylish modern aesthetic, quality craftsmanship and smart design.
Calligaris is perfect for young, upwardly mobile professionals looking to furnish their condos or houses with designer furniture at reasonable prices. The furniture items may be purchased off the floor or custom-made with fabric and color options.
The history of Calligaris dates back to 1923, with the production of the “Marocca” chair distinctive for its sturdy wooden frame, hand-woven rush seat, and slightly curved legs. Since then, the name Calligaris has grown to become a leader in home furnishings, expanding its range with complete furnishing solutions including chairs, tables, beds, sofas, storage units and decorative accessories. While its woodpecker logo symbolizes the tireless worker with a passion for wood, Calligaris also utilizes metal, plastic, leather and glass in its creations.
Among the many innovative Calligaris furnishings are the Gamera Chair, made from one-piece polyamide shell suitable for indoor or outdoor use; the Lam Table, a harmonious amalgam of metal and wood available in fixed-length or extending versions; and the Urban modular sofa, which offers multiple configurations to fit unique needs. The mechanisms used for the furniture units are top-of-the-line so expanding the table is quite easy and simple to do.
In addition to the signature items, there is also Calligaris Code, a capsule collection of extraordinary and surprising furniture designed by Italy’s young avant-garde artists.
