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 British tailoring expert Ozwald Boateng lends his distinctive touch to the entire range of "Chester" sofas, armchairs, and accessories by Poltrona Frau.
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ozwald_boateng/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ozwald Boateng</a> began his career in the late 1980s on Savile Row, the kingdom of English bespoke tailoring. He then was the creative director of Givenchy's men's division and, in 2005, was awarded the Order of British Empire by <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/portraits/queen-elizabeth-young-photos-wedding-coronation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queen Elizabeth II</a>. He also designed the costumes for films such as &ldquo;Hannibal&rdquo;, &ldquo;Sex and the City&rdquo;, &ldquo;Ugly Betty&rdquo;, &ldquo;The Matrix&rdquo;, &ldquo;Black Panthers&rdquo; and &ldquo;Oceans 13&rdquo;. This year it is the protagonist of a collaboration of Poltrona Frau 's &ldquo;Culture &amp; Craft&rdquo; cycle to renew the design brand born in 1912 and inspired by the classic Edwardian Chesterfield sofas, which the founder Renzo Frau had discovered during his travels in England. L'OFFICIEL: How does your knowledge of menswear translate into the design field? OZWALD BOATENG: It has always been an aspiration of mine to find the right partner who shares my vision. Poltrona Frau is recognized for precision and craftsmanship which aligns perfectly with my commitment to creating pieces that transcend mere functionality. Together, we have created a dialogue that values ​​my African heritage and the legacy of excellence in Italian design. LOI: Your vision on colours and fabrics is bold for a brand that is a classic of Italian tradition. OB: I believe that everyone can wear or surround themselves with objects of any colour as long as each colour sampled is in the correct shade. The palette I used is something that comes from my legacy, it's the one I usually apply to the garments I design.

LOI: What were your aesthetic codes that you employed for this collaboration? OB: In detail there have been changes in the &ldquo;Chester&rdquo; armchair and sofa that can only be perceived when you sit on it. Generally speaking I played with the use of my &ldquo;Tribal&rdquo; print - a Ghanaian-inspired motif already present in my collections - embossed on Velvety Nubuck Tribal leather and on a printed velvet fabric. LOI: What was it like discovering the production process of furniture design? OB: Extraordinary, Poltrona Frau products are subjected to many quality tests. I started working on the design masterpieces and tradition of the Tolentino brand. An approach that is my usual starting point, then I try to trace different paths to modernise everything. LOI: What did you like most about the &ldquo;Chester&rdquo; line? OB: It's a line that is part of the common British imagination: having grown up in the United Kingdom I assimilated it instinctively. We also presented the "Beautilities" collection with the soft monochromatic carpet, the wallpaper (the first from the Poltrona Frau brand, ed.) with my "Tribal" and "Kente" motifs, a scented candle with a strong fragrance inspired by the continent African and the Mancala board game popular in Africa. LOI: What did you learn from this experience? OB: Now I know what it means to produce furnishing accessories, the modus operandi, the timing and the research focused on the craftsmanship and durability of the product. LOI: Would you replicate collaborations of this kind in the future? OB: Definitely.

Reviving Traditions with a Modern Twist: Ozwald Boateng x Poltrona Frau

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