Maison&Objet 2015: Italian research studio Fabrica has designed a tableware collection to reflect the fusion of different cultures, customs and traditions in current dining trends (+ slideshow).
Based on the eating habits of the international young designers at Fabrica, the A Table collection includes crockery, cutlery, equipment and decorative items used in the preparation and consumption of different cuisines from around the world.
The range was created for Italian design brand Atipico and includes glasses reminiscent of the cups used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.
An aperitif set based on implements used in Indian food sharing customs also features alongside and runners, kitchen gloves, aprons and tablecloths that borrow graphic patterns from antique porcelain from all over the world.
A range of materials, including ceramic, wood, metal, glass and fabric, is used across the collection and every object features a symbol denoting the country of inspiration.
These include a crown for England, an ideogram for China and Japan, and a Renaissance lily for Italy. The designers cite Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Morocco and Scotland as other countries that influenced the collection.
"We love to mix our different cultures and backgrounds to create design projects which are a pure manifestation of the daily creative work, and become a source of personal growth and enrichment for our residents," said Sam Baron, creative director of the design department at Fabrica.
"We see design as a praxis which, through various abilities and skills, leads to a common language."
Despite the global influences, the collection is entirely designed and made in Italy.
"Our all-Italian genetic make-up fuses enterprise and the constant pursuit of innovation," said Gianluca Corbari, co-founder and creative director of Atipico. "In Fabrica we found our same spirit of tastefully revolutionising everyday-use objects. What is more everyday than sitting down at the table?"
Fabrica is the Treviso-based communication research centre of the Benetton Group, which offers annual scholarships to young creatives from all over the world.
Designs produced by the group last year included an electric musical instrument played by hitting a series of rocks, a desk tidy incorporating plant pots and unique objects for L'ArcoBaleno.
A Table will be displayed at Paris trade fair Maison & Objet, from 23 to 27 January.
Photography is by Marco Zanin/Fabrica.