September 1, 2011
Made in Spain
With innovative products and a sense of humor, Spanish design is finally hitting its stride.
The last decade saw the rise of Spanish design superstars like Jaime Hayon, Patricia Urquiola, and Martí Guixé, who are, arguably, still better known abroad than in Spain. Now a fresh crop of young talents are starting to take over in Barcelona and Madrid. The presence of a strong, homegrown manufacturing sector in furniture and lighting—well-represented at this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair, in New York—should guarantee these designers’ future success. On these pages, we’ve picked emerging hopefuls and established manufacturers who are ready to bring their original solutions, from the playfully pragmatic to the socially sustainable, to the global stage. The Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade maintains a Web site (www.interiorsfromspain.com) with more information on products and designers—but to see the dynamism of Spanish design in person, be sure to visit Feria Hábitat Valencia, a growing launchpad for emerging designers that takes place in the country’s third-largest city each September.
