Nina Yashar is Milan’s top design dealer and her Nilufar Gallery in Via della Spiga has pulsed as the epicentre of mid-century gems and the hot contemporary designs for the last 15 years.
Her vast collection has been gathered and stockpiled over the last 30 years, in a 1,500 square metre warehouse north of the Garibaldi train station. Up until now, the ex-industrial space was used just for Yashar’s own sourcing purposes.
On the occasion of Salone del Mobile 2015 Nina Yashar, founder of Nilufar Gallery, inaugurates Nilufar Depot, her new warehouse: with a 1500 sq.m. display space showing her collection of historical and contemporary design objects collected by Nina over time
She has finally flung open the doors ( for the first time ) to “Nilufar Depot ” a three story treasure trove featuring 3,000 pieces of historic and contemporary design, conceived by many of the young designers that Yashar has championed over the years.
The long desired new space is intended for logistic and display optimization of the collected pieces, in a location that brings out the eclectic and stylish mood of the collection.
Designed by Milan-based architect Massimiliano Locatelli (whose furniture she has frequently been shown in her Via della Spiga gallery), the interior configuration was inspired by Milan’s famous Teatro alla Scala ( opera house ) .
A central cement floored atrium is surrounded by three storeys of black metal balconies in which small furniture scenes are illuminated by neon lights designed by Marco Rizzuto.
The space is imposing, dramatic and yet practical. The configuration permits an easy scan-viewing of the massive stock from below, while curtains made from a techno-plastic material swathe each stall, just like the booths at the famous ballet theatre.
‘I don’t like décor as an end in itself,’ says Yashar, ‘Function is what interests me.’
The location, which features a stage with a six-metre-tall brass curtain designed by artist Leonar Antunes, has been conceived to host exhibitions, art and artists going forward.
The launch event, a dinner which took place last night at the beginning of Salone del Mobile, featured table scenes designed by Martino Gamper, another Nilufar gallery protégé.
Each table was adorned with enormous 19th-century napkins, avant-garde glasses and menus signed by the designer.
martino gamper organising the set up for dinner
Alice Rawsthorn …. ” I’d never come to Milan without seeing the rare and beautiful pieces by Albini, Mollino, Ponti and other great Italian designers in Nina Yashar’s gallery Nilufar on via della Spiga. From now onwards we can see even more of them at Nilufar Depot, her amazing new archive in a cavernous old silverware factory on via Lancetti, Nilufar Depot opened last night with a splendid dinner designed by Martino Gamper served after we’d played fantasy shopping around three floors stuffed with works by Albini, Branzi, De Lucchi, Mollino, Ponti and Sottsass.”
In the rejuvnated warehouse of the Gallery, guests enjoyed a dinner created by Martino Gamper in collaboration with Corrado Stocking Food & Co.
Incredible atmosphere, with tables and chairs all different copyright merged with the Richard Ginori ceramics 30 ‘s who made the monumental counterpoint over 3 metres tall and inspired at La Scala in Milan.
The conceptual and architectural interior masterpiece, designed by Anush Locatelli ( CLS Architetti ) welcomed the 140 guests at the dinner organized by the exclusive placé art gallery Nilufar.
Guests
Alessandra Facchinetti, Marco Balich, Osanna Visconti di Modrone, Nina Yashar, Annamaria Sbisà, Martina Gamboni
The event which saw as design partner J. Hill’s Standard and Moët Chandon, saw & participate, among others, the Director of Vogue Italy Franca Sozzani, Domenico Dolce, Miuccia Prada, Martina Mondadori, and Hosanna Giangaleazzo Visconti di Modrone and Marlene Taschen.
Big modules were arranged and interpreted as set designs composed of a vintage selection and contemporary objects exclusively designed for Nilufar gallery by …… Lindsey Adelman, Michael Anastassiades, Pierre Marie Agin, Michele Balestra, Bethan Laura Wood, Caturegli and Formica, David/Nicolas, Martino Gamper, Massimiliano Locatelli, India Mahdavi, Nir Meiri, Nucleo, Roberto Giulio Rida, Vibeke Fonnesberg Schmidt, Ego Vicente and Osanna Visconti di Modron
Nilfur Depot
Via Lancetti 34 Milan
Construction of the Nilfur Depot
