After Dana Tomic Huges, it is now the turn of Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat, co-founders of online platform WantedDesign, to lead us by hand through the preview of the Milano Design Week and FuoriSalone 2018.
Let’s kick off with a quick introduction.
With a background in Literary Studies and Performative Arts, via Art and Music History, Odile Hainaut has been Head of Communication at Force Majeure (an international design agency founded in 1998 and specialising in design strategy, branding, packaging and merchandising, with headquarters in New York, Paris, and London) for 18 years. Back in May 2007, Hainaut co-founded NYC’s Gallery R’Pure, which was aimed at launching young emerging talents and their creations – from innovative light pieces to home accessories – in the local design scene.
Claire Pijoulat has completed her Business studies in France and Italy, and later worked on a handful of projects for several design firms until she got involved with Roche Bobois International at the stroke of 2002: numerous professional trips to Vietnam, Greece, Russia, and Italy were just next. After achieving a Master Degree in International Business at the University of Turin, Claire relocated to New York in 2005 to take on the role of Marketing Director of Roche Bobois USA. In 2010, she went for one more career change and started freelancing for a number of web agencies, institutes of foreign cultures in New York, and international companies, by focusing on the development of innovative communication campaigns and business models.
Eventually, the two of them jointly created WantedDesign, a digital platform now blowing out seven candles (next edition is going to be held in Manhattan from 19th to 22nd May, and in Brooklyn from 17th to 21st May), which aims to support US and international design via events, conversations, and partnerships, whilst nurturing New York City’s design dialogue.
We met them to discuss their personal perspectives on the Milano Design Week.
How many times did you already attend the Milano Design Week?
Odile: 11 times.
Claire: 10 times.
Describe your average day in Milan.
O: Since we first came to Salone together as ambassadors for WantedDesign (8 years ago now), we managed to develop a well-established routine: we land to Milan on Monday and head straight to meetings and parties, although Claire might reach destination a day earlier and I usually spend my week-end in Paris. We hang around at the trade fair all Tuesday, and yet pay equal attention to the SaloneSatelline. We love to spot new emerging talents!
O: Then we venture out to Pavilions 10-12 and Euroluce (if scheduled), and meet with several European manufacturers. Wednesdays and Thursdays are all about the FuoriSalone: Ventura, Brera, Tortona Design District, Rossana Orlandi, and a bunch of professional meetings with fellow colleagues and journalists. We hop by the Fiera on Friday, and get back to New York on Saturday.
C: We normally wake up at 8AM, and hit the sack at night between 1 and 3AM (depending on whether we stop by at Bar Basso or not).
Do you schedule your meetings in advance?
C: Sure, it is vital for us. We generally gather all invitations in a shared folder one month ahead of time, then start scheduling the professional meetings and – while flying to Milan – refine the trip plan so to include unscheduled appointments and visits.
Tell us about your daily look.
O: Flat and comfy shoes, denim jeans and t-shirts.
And what about your evening outfit?
O: We generally go for total-black, and dress up a bit if we have some spare time left.
What do you carry in your purse when visiting exhibits and events?
C: Year after year we have learnt to bring the bare minimum: business cards, mobile phone, credit cards, phone charger and – only if necessary – the laptop.
How do you travel across the city?
C: Mainly by metro, sometimes by tram, and less frequently by taxi for the occasional night ride.
What is your selection criteria for your professional meetings?
C: We proceed accordingly with the city areas. The most important meetings often define our first step.
How do you pick the not-to-be-missed events?
O: We try not to skip the events set up by our partners, colleagues, and friends of WantedDesign. Moreover, we love to attend all meetings and parties involving our worldwide supporters and collaborators, along with the exhibits where to spot the most interesting projects.
Do you manage to have an healthy diet despite the Milanese aperitivo bonanza?
C: Well, that is not an easy affair! But we are getting better through the years. We both have different habits and approaches: Odile may skip lunch or dinner, while I’d rather sit at the table and enjoy food comfortably everyday.
What do you do for fun?
O: To wrap up the day at Bar Basso is the best way…
Opening Photo: CO-FOUNDERS OF ONLINE PLATFORM WANTEDDESIGN, ODILE HAINAUT AND CLAIRE PIJOULAT LEAD US BY HAND THROUGH THE PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING MILANO DESIGN WEEK
