NEWSLETTER

issue 49 | October 2024

A Hint of Color

This story is part of a sequel exploring Maruni’s designer Cecilie Manz, reflecting on her first exhibition in Tokyo, 2023. Explore other stories:
The Design Journey of Cecilie Manz, TRANSPOSE: Turning Ideas Around Vol.1, Vol.2.

“A Hint of Colour”, showcased at Maruni’s Tokyo showroom split into four captivating themes, providing a glimpse into Manz’ profound connection with color and its diverse expressions.
In the section titled “Snippets from Japan”, Manz shared her fascination with colors encountered during her travels. This theme incorporated a basket filled with paper and textile snippets, forming a unique impression of Japan through Manz’ discerning eyes.

“Greyish” delved into the designer’s meticulous exploration of light grey, her ‘zero’ tone. Manz reflects on the transformative power of subtle variations in hue, expressing, “The tiniest difference in hue, a single drop of warm or cold, blue, yellow, or red, dark or light, can change everything and give character and direction.” This theme captures her enduring interest in finding the delicate balance between perceived colors like ‘green’ and ‘grey.’

The theme “Neutrals” challenges preconceived notions about ‘colorless’ materials, emphasizing the distinctive identities carried by wood, aluminum, plastic, porcelain, straw, and glass. Manz notes, “‘Au naturel,’ the raw material itself, also carries an identity that can be perceived as a color.” This exploration underscores the multifaceted nature of seemingly neutral elements.

In “Color Work,” Manz unveiled her creative process, using physical objects with colors as her palette. She employed three-dimensional objects such as utensils, stones, and textile fragments as tools in her initial color selection. This theme provided a unique insight into Manz’ approach, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right material and color in her designs.

Announcement

Explore the latest SHOTO COLLECTION designed by Cecilie Manz.