GAIA&GINO and Verreum announced their partnership at Leclettico Gallery, at Wallpaper*
Handmade, Milan 2013
GAIA&GINO, the Turkish luxury interior accessories brand, has embarked on a joint venture with
Verreum, the Czech silver glassware company. Both brands, while retaining their respective Turkish
and Czech identities, are now owned by the new company, GGV Design Partners Ltd, established in
Prague, Czech Republic in January this year. Both brands have launched new collections to mark the
occasion, shown within Wallpaper* Handmade from 9 – 13 April at the Leclettico gallery, Via San
Gregorio 39, Milan.
Gaye Cevikel says: ‘This is a wonderful moment for us at GAIA&GINO. W e have so many ‘firsts’ at
Milan 2013, it is a turning point for our brands, and we are so happy to have such amazing designers
to work with. It is through our friendships, sharing ideas and time spent working out what we can do
together, that we have created these exquisite collections. I am so proud to be working side by side
with Verreum, and the passion that Pavel W eiser has for heritage and craftsmanship, can be seen in
every piece at our exhibition within Wallpaper* Handmade.’
Gaye Cevikel, creator of GAIA&GINO, is now also the creative director at Verreum. Verreum’s founder
Pavel Weiser is responsible for the operation and management of both brands.
Verreum debuted “Love Collection” in Milan
“Love is in everything but it is not visible in anything” Rumi: Poet, Sufi philosopher and mystic.
Verreum, the Czech silver blown glass company, has debuted its 25 piece ‘Love’ collection at
Leclettico, shown within Wallpaper* Handmade during Salone del Mobile. The collection marks the relaunch of Prague based Verreum and its new partnership with GAIA&GINO. The Love collection
comprises exquisitely hand crafted pieces designed by Arik Levy, Karim Rashid, Sebastian Bergne,
Sebastian Herkner, and Defne Koz & Marco Susani. The collection was shown from 9 – 13 April at
the Leclettico gallery, Via San Gregorio 39, Milan.
Made with Verreum’s masters in blown silvered glass, and with the design expertise of GAIA&GINO,
each element of the twentyfive -piece collection aims at bringing back the forgotten love between
friends, lovers, collaborators, as they are used. The lamp by Karim Rashid, cacti vases and candle
holders by Arik Levy, champagne collection by Sebastian Bergne, tea ceremony set by Sebastian
Herkner and coffee for two concept by Defne Koz & Marco Susani all are designed to create an
intimate, shared experience.
Being the first Czech brand putting Prague on the world design map, Verreum aims at reviving
traditional silver glass making craftsmanship - a forgotten technique in Europe, which Verreum wished
to re-invent, coupling new technology and a new design language.
GAIA&GINO unveiled ‘Enlightenment Collection’ in Milan
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that” Martin Luther King, Jr
GAIA&GINO, the Turkish luxury interior accessories brand, has unveiled its first lighting and
hookah collections together with table top accessories from 9-13 April at the Leclectico Gallery,
within Wallpaper* Handmade, Via San Gregorio 39, Milan.
The Enlightenment Collection is created by 8 designers who have made 14 collections with a total of
32 products for the luxury brand.The designers are Karim Rashid, Arik Levy, Noe Duchafour
Lawrence, Juergen Mayer H, Brad Ascalon, Jaime Hayon, Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd (Pearson
Lloyd) and Annette Hinterwirth. The collections combined craftsmanship with technology and
traditional parts of everyday Turkish culture; hookahs, table lamps and candle holders.
Having distinguished itself with poetic, inventive and storytelling products, GAIA&GINO has earned a
reputation as one of the international design scene’s most promising luxury interior accessories brand.
GAIA&GINO (www.gaiagino.com) was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. The
company is named after the founder Gaye Cevikel’s nickname and her dog Gino. Gaye is the creative
person who combines her strategic mind with the talents of the designer, to bring out the outstanding
GAIA&GINO collections. Having distinguished itself with poetic, inventive and story telling products,
the company earned a reputation as one of the international design scene’s most promising luxury
interior accessories brand. Besides, the company’s commitment to excellent design, to integrating
fresh concepts into everyday home life, and to creating eye-catching objects within a traditional
context, has resulted in successful partnerships with some of the world’s foremost designers.
GAIA&GINO has made a partnership with Czech silvered glass manufacturer, Verreum, in 2013 and is
an enterprise of GGV Design Partners s.r.o. based in Prague, Czech Republic.
Verreum (www.verreum.com) was founded in 2009 in Prague, Czech Republic, by Pavel Weiser.
The name Verreum comes from a combination of “Verre” – glass in French - and “Um” –
craftsmanship in Czech. As the name suggests, Verreum aims at reviving traditional glass making
craftsmanship, and the focus of Pavel Weiser’s vision is the revival of silvered glass making - a
forgotten technique in Europe, which Verreum wished to re-invent, coupling new technology and a
new design language.
Verreum collaborates with both Czech and international designers for the creation of its products, and
besides the production of its own unique silvered glass with glass blowing facilities in Novy Bor,
cooperates with the rest of the Czech glassworks with the mission of sustaining the glass making
tradition of Bohemia. Verreum is also a co-organiser of the European project “Glass is Tomorrow”,
whose aim is to promote cooperation among glassmakers and designers across Europe.
As of 1st January 2013, Verreum is an enterprise of GGV Design Partners together with Turkish brand
GAIA&GINO. Gaye Cevikel, who is the creator of GAIA&GINO, also manages the creative direction,
sales and marketing of Verreum.
GAIA&GINO and Verreum contact details:
GGVDesignPartners s.r.o.
Corso Karlin
Krizikova 237/36a
18600 Prague - Karlin
Tel.: 00420 222 315 530
office@gaiagino.com
office@verreum.com
Photography done by Patrik Borecky & Tomas Brabec
ENLIGHTENMENT COLLECTION
BABEL, Rechargeable LED Table Lamps
Design: Noé Duchaufour Lawrance
Materials: Cut crystal with copper / stainless steel / brass fixtures
Description of the collection:
Babel consists of 3 handmade crystal, cut table lamps with stainless steel, copper and brass battery
housing.
Noé’s thoughts about the collection:
I designed this glass lamps collection for GAIA&GINO after spending a few days visiting the Czech
Republic with Gaye. I was immediately impressed by the powerful relationship that exists between the
glass blower and the material. Glass is produced from one of the Earth’s most abundant raw
materials: sand. Glass turns into liquid in the hot ovens and is then transformed by air blown into
extremely basic, wooden molds. The projects I designed for GAIA&GINO are the result of a dreamy
language inspired by a conversation among the elements: minerals, water, air, vegetation … I wanted
to develop solid, structured shapes which, when linked to these elements, become airy and fluid.
Noé’s inspiration
About the design:
This small, rechargeable table lamp is inspired by the craftsmen who cut crystal. Each of their
gestures, tirelessly repeated and mastered over the years, is based on a skilled technique. The
object’s slender form, cut in multiple facets, is an allegory for knowledge. The glow diffused by the cut
crystal illuminates the table in multiple splinters of light.
About GAIA&GINO:
In design, we can only work honestly with people when there is a strong affinity between us. Gaye is a
generous, straightforward, radiant and inspirational person. She transmits her high standards and her
constructive, creative force to each member of her team. After a few days driving through the Czech
countryside with her, I was exhausted by her vitality and the kilometers we covered yet, most of all,
were seduced by her kindness. GAIA&GINO is the type of company one likes to build a relationship
with over time; we get attached to the people who make a company what it is.
FLUX, Table Lamp
Design: Noé Duchaufour Lawrance
Materials: Mouth blown glass and marble
Description of the collection:
Flux consists of two sizes of handmade table lamps. Large one comes in two versions: opal white
gradient glass and white marble; and gray gradient glass with smoky brown marble and small one in
purple glass and gradient opal white body with white marble.
Noé’s inspiration:
These series of two lights evoke glass as it is being blown. The central glass column represents air as
it passes through the material. Its uplifting shape is developed in three formats, from the most discreet
to the most sculptural.
The marble base recalls the mineral origins of glass.
FOG, Table lamp
Design: Noé Duchaufour Lawrance
Materials: Blown glass with marble
Description of the collection:
Fog consists of a handmade table lamp which comes in gradient opal white with a marble base.
Noé’s inspiration:
About the design:
This desk lamp is composed of a simple base. The shape opens up to guide and transmit the light.
The expansive form is highlighted by a gradation from translucency to transparency. The lamp is
topped off by a marble or a glass reflector. It appears to be suspended over the lamp, almost like a lid
holding in the thick smoke created when the fused glass is in contact with the wood mold.
FUSION, Rechargeable LED Table Lamp
Design: Noé Duchaufour Lawrance
Materials: Blown glass with copper / stainless steel / brass fixtures
Description of the collection:
Fusion consists of 5 handmade blown glasses, 4 small sizes in purple, orange, green and gradient
opal with bubbles and one large size in gradient opal with bubbles. Each one has a matching metal
battery housing.
Noé’s inspiration:
Water and sand … The material fusion of these elements that make up glass has inspired this
rechargeable table lamp. The dreamy dimension of the object is in harmony with its simplicity.
LIGHT IN THE GLASS, Rechargeable LED Table Lamps
Shakra
Design: Arik Levy
Materials: Cut crystal and stainless steel fixtures
Description of the collection:
Shakra is a first in their range, as they combine a handcrafted crystal glass with a
rechargeable LED lamp.
Light in the Glass consists of hand made lamp of different shapes and patterns. The crystal glass
sits on a polished stainless steel battery housing.
Arik’s Inspiration
About the design:
Light in the glass is a project that I have been developing in my mind for a long time… I always wanted
to see the light appearing in different ways. I have created many light products in the past but this time
the idea was more like how to create a domestic firefly. Small that fits everywhere, gives friendly
light…Can walk around with you, be on the bookshelves or side table or next to you before you go to
sleep. A glass, a drinking glass that normally carry liquid now carry’s light. The new glass forms made
to be engraved using cold cutting knowhow and technology tools to achieve precision and perfection.
The cut glass transforms itself into deflecting light prisms like a bright star in a dark night.
About GAIA&GINO
Years pass by and products are doing their way in the world of sculpture to use, strong expressions,
interacting with the domestic landscape. Working with GAIA&GINO is an experience as our
relationship is not only about the products. It is about exchange and about finding the right product to
make and bring to life. Gaia is a fascinating and a very positive persona. A joy.
HOOKA, Hookah
Design: Karim Rashid
Materials: Borosilicate glass with brass and stainless steel fixtures
Description of collection:
Hooka consists of hookah turquoise colour. They come together with a set of
2 hoses, an optional walve, tobacco burner, coal holder and stainless steel mouthpieces.
Karim’s inspiration:
About the design:
The form of Hooka was inspired by the movement of the Whirling Dervishes, a ceremonial dance by
the Turkish culture. The flow of their garments, conical fez hats and widespread arms are an iconic
sign of this unique culture. With Hooka, I wanted to nod to this amazing dance as well as make a
beautiful Hookah.
About GAIA&GINO:
Our studio's collaboration with GAIA&GINO started back in 2002 and continues today. GAIA&GINO
has always allowed me to display the pure expression described in my designs. Their great quality,
attention to detail and willingness to take risks with form and function makes them an ideal client,
especially for a designer with so many 'far out' ideas. Together we have made some incredible work
and I believe the best has yet to come. My hope is that, together, we can start to use emerging
technologies to really push materials and forms and make product that will become design icons.
KOOHA, Hookah
Design: Noé Duchafour Lawrance
Materials: Borosilicate glass with aluminum and stainless steel fixtures
Description of the project:
Kooha consists of 1 handmade hookah in borosilicate glass, black lazer cut wind protector, together
with a set of 2 hoses, an optional walve, tobacco burner, coal holder and stainless steel
mouthpieces.
Noé’s inspiration:
The hookah has an important role in Eastern cultures and its design is often borrowed from oriental
codes. Men come together around this object to exchange ideas and pass the time.
Through the universal shape of tree branches, I wanted to emphasize this object’s intrinsic values.
Since the tree is an element that every culture has used as a reference point, it defines a place to
meet and socialize.
HOOKHAYON, Hookah
Design: Jaime Hayon
Materials: Sandblasted blown glass, Comax coated brass, cherry / oak wood
Description of the collection:
In Hookhayon, Jaime Hayon is inspired by the Turkish cultural forms of a dome and a jug and came
up with a wonderful hand-carried hookah shape.
Hookhayon consists of two handmade hookahs, in black and white combined with brass fixtures. They
come together with a set of 2 hoses, an optional valve, tobacco burner and coal holder and wooden
mouthpieces.
Jaime’s inspiration
About the design:¨
The HOOKHAYON is a contemporary vision for the Turkish tradition of smoking. Its delicate design is
based on the use of soft and feminine shapes, and the contrast of material: quality wood and blown
glass along with metal components. The transparency of the glass and the simplicity of its handle
create a unique interaction with the piece. Its monochromatic approach is accompanied by a change
of material for every function. The elegance and glamour of smoking in a pipe is visible through the
attention to the details the piece unveils.
About GAIA&GINO:
Collaborating with GAIA&GINO is always a very special experience. Since our first project together,
there was a great energy between us and the common goal to arrive to unique, one of a kind special
pieces that speak about tradition in a modern way.
PLAY RANGE, Candleholders
Siluet
Design: PearsonLloyd
Materials: Optical glass, brass
Description of the collection:
“Play Range” is literally PearsonLloyd’s first accessory project. They implemented the same
engineering principles to candle holders they apply to aircraft chairs or furniture systems.
Spilli consists of handmade optical glass, marble and brass sticks. Cleo consists of 1 brass
handmade candleholder with two arms. Siluet consists of 7 handmade optical glass candleholders in
different shapes and colors.
PearsonLloyd’s inspiration
About the design:
In three new products designed for GAIA&GINO, PearsonLloyd have combined the age old ritual of
eating by candlelight, with man’s inner desire for play. In Spilli, the traditional candelabra have been
deconstructed into a series of identical elements that can be combined into a literally limitless array of
lighting compositions. Inspired by the ancient child’s game of Spillikins, age old customs of setting the
table for dinner has been transformed into a wonderful game of composition and sculpture. From the
formality of symmetry to the chaos of random patterns, every composition has a new energy. The
second product in the range is Cleo. Sharing much of the spirit of Spilli, Cleo pairs candles into simple
sculptural elements which can be assembled in tight clusters or long fluid arrays. The third one, Siluet
actually combines the architectural elements and ruins of the Western part of Turkey. Eating by
candlelight will never be the same again.
About GAIA&GINO:
Ever since meeting Gaye 5 or 6 years ago, we have been inspired by her energy, drive and optimism.
Combining the extraordinary culture and spirit of Istanbul with a passion for contemporary design,
GAIA&GINO has quickly created a unique place in the world of design culture. Spending time with
Gaye in Istanbul, New York, Prague and London, we have developed both a close friendship and a
shared commitment to work together to create beautiful contemporary products. Gaye has developed
a rich network of makers and craftspeople across various continents, which is the lifeblood of any
great collaboration, and this really adds to the potential of the relationship. W e hope that the launch of
Spilli, Cleo and Siluet will mark the beginning of a long and fruitful working relationship with
GAIA&GINO.
FLUKE, Candle holder
Design: Annette Hinterwirth
Materials: Aluminum
Description of the collection:
Annette Hinterwirth brought in the feminine sensibility to a cold material like metal by turning Fluke
into an “Industrial Chic” candle holder.
Fluke collection consists of handmade candleholder with 6 arms. They are
available in nude color.
Annette’s inspiration
About the design:
Fluke is a candleholder inspired by the industrial architecture and interiors of the late 1920s. During
my time in NY I got attracted to NY shipyards, water towers and industrial furniture in factory
workshops of that period. Visible screws, connections and joints combining different elements of a
product became very important to me. Against the common trend of hiding construction, I want it to be
traceable. For me this gives the design an honest and powerful look.
A different aspect of my work is to create atmospheres by combining light and sculptural objects. The
opportunity to work on a candleholder for GAIA&GINO was a welcome coincidence – an incredible
FLUKE.
About GAIA&GINO:
A perfect match – sometimes you meet somebody and you immediately know that it will work. I
wanted to design accessories for a long time and was working on a list of companies with great taste,
perfect production, global distribution and a strong selection of talent they collaborate with.
GAIA&GINO was very much on the top of my list and I was excited to meet Gaye Cevikel in Milan
2012. We were supposed to have 10minutes, but ended up chatting for much longer. It is great that
we are launching our first product now, but to me it is even more important that I have found a true
companion that absolutely values design and perfection.
Annette Hinterwirth Biography:
Annette Hinterwirth was born and raised in Austria. A self-taught designer, she graduated in business
administration before widening her design knowledge with classes at the Technical University of
Vienna and the UCLA in Los Angeles.
Developing a passion for set design, Annette worked in the art departments of such Hollywood
productions as Seven Years in Tibet or Project Peacemaker. Then, feeling the pull of New York, she
started designing sets for fashion shoots and was soon collaborating with some of the world's most
renowned photographers. Being very much interested in lighting, Annette started to develop a light
object series - Walljewels, inspired by glamorous jewelry designs of the 1940's to 1960's, which was
brought to life in collaboration with Swarovski and first exhibited at Colette in Paris.
Since then Annette has been designing furniture, yachts, lighting and accessories for many renowned
brands throughout Europe and undertaking architectural projects.
Arik Levy Biography:
"Creation is an uncontrolled muscle" according to Arik Levy (born 1963).
Artist, technician, photographer, designer, filmmaker, Levy's skills are multi-disciplinary and his work
can be seen in prestigious galleries and museums worldwide. Best known publicly for his sculptures –
such as his signature Rock pieces –, his installations, limited editions and design, Levy nevertheless
feels "The world is about people, not objects."
Hailing originally from Israel and moving to Europe after his first participation in a group sculpture
exhibition in Tel-Aviv in 1988, Levy currently works in his studio in Paris.
His formation was unconventional where surfing, as well as his art and graphic design studio, took up
much of his time back home. Following studies at the Art Center Europe in Switzerland he gained a
distinction in Industrial Design in 1991.
After a stint in Japan where he consolidated his ideas producing products and pieces for exhibitions,
Levy returned to Europe where he contributed his artistry to another field – contemporary dance and
opera by way of set design.
The creation of his firm then meant a foray back to his first love, art and industrial design, as well as
other branches of his talents.
Brad Ascalon Biography:
Born in 1977 outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States), Brad Ascalon was immersed in the
world of art and design. His grandfather was a noted sculptor, metal smith and industrial designer, and
his father is renowned for his large scale stained glass, mosaic and metal art installations throughout
the Americas. Ascalon earned a Masters’ degree in Industrial Design from the Pratt Institute in 2005,
and that same year was recognized by Wallpaper magazine as one of the world’s “Ten Most Wanted”
emerging designers.
Ascalon’s eponymous studio was founded in 2006. The multidisciplinary design studio specializes in
contract and residential furniture, decorative objects, packaging, consumer products, environment
design, as well as site-specific sound compositions and art installations. Brad Ascalon works with a
wide range of companies spanning the globe and his studio is in New York City.
Jaime Hayon Biography:
Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayon was born in Madrid in 1974. Times magazine included Hayon as
one of the 100 most relevant creators of our times and Wallpaper magazine has listed him as one of
the most influential creators of the last decade. With offices in Italy, Spain and UK, Hayon's main
interest is to find challenges and new perspectives. His vision blurs the lines between art, decoration
and design bringing back a renaissance in finely-crafted, intricate objects within the context of
contemporary design culture: creating furniture, product, interiors, sculptures and art Installations.
His unique style was first fully exposed in ‘Mediterranean Digital Baroque’ at London’s David Gill
Gallery, followed by many exhibitions and installations set up in major galleries and museums
worldwide. His concern for the conservation of craft skills and his way of challenging design has led
him to develop renowned works.
Karim Rashid Biography:
Karim Rashid is a leading design figure with worldwide recognition and clientele. Considered to be an
A-list designer, Karim has been working for over 25 years in product, packaging, lighting and interior
design. He has won numerous awards and accolades from international companies, publications and
universities. He is one of the most prolific designers in history, designing successful products for
clients ranging from high-end to mass-market.
His philosophy of ‘democratic design’ - design for all - is Karim’s personal mantra. Throughout his
career he has sought to bring design to the masses by creating affordable, approachable and beautiful
objects. Karim has redefined several once-stagnant markets, i.e.: home accessories (Dirt Devil Kone
Vac), cleaning products (Method cleaning products) and water filtration (Bobble).
Noé Duchafour Lawrance Biography:
Noé Duchaufour Lawrance’s design philosophy is each project has its own unique scenario, sustained
without being distinguished in any way by a use, a form, a material or an aesthetic…A place where the
curve and the straight line, sensuality and rigour interact in a confrontation conducive to creating
meaning and able to awaken all our senses. Anxious to revive the notion of alive or living in his objects
as well as the designing of space, Noé Duchaufour Lawrance considers each project like an organic
form which grows with its user. In the style of a natural element which can also defy human order and
disorder.
At the beginning, Duchafour Lawrance was involved with sculpture, marked by a history and very
close link with nature that he wanted to transcribe again with his own hands. He often compares his
approach to niwa, the little garden found at the heart of a traditional Japanese house. Like an organic
pulse within a discipline dedicated above all to respond to the demands of the industry, market or
client. Thus, he does not limit himself in the projects that he creates, while designing objects or
furniture or interiors.
PearsonLloyd Biography:
PearsonLloyd is a London based design studio founded by Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson in 1997. The
relationship between people, product and place lies at the heart of the studio’s practice. Current
commissions include research and development across a wide variety of disciplines including furniture
and product design in workplace, transport,healthcare and urban environments. These projects seek
to identify and reflect the shifting patterns of behaviour in our contemporary life. The studio supports a
collaborative approach in its work that embraces the restrictions imposed by product type, function,
material, process, market, client and all else that defines a brief.
In 2008, Tom and Luke were awarded the distinction of Royal Designers for Industry by The Royal
Society of Arts, and in August 2012 were named in the top 50 designers ‘Shaping the Future’ by FastCo Magazine in New York. Their projects include a wide range from airline seats and interiors to
lighting and furniture systems.