To mark the launch of the new Clivo cutlery collection, we asked Patricia Urquiola a few questions about her connection to Japan, the importance of sustainability in her projects and the central role of materials in her design practice. A dialog that takes us through the creative process of one of today's most influential designers.

In 2018, you presented the Edo pots, the old name for Tokyo, and this year the Clivo cutlery, which is inspired by Japanese bamboo cutlery. Where does your connection to Japan come from, what attracts you to this culture?

Japan has an essential, precise way of designing. This is how Clivo came into being - from a concept of form created by subtraction, from a calibrated gesture, out of respect for the material. As with the small bamboo utensils, every detail is functional but also sensual. With the Alessi brand, which works steel with great sensitivity, this approach takes shape in a solid, precise and at the same time delicate object.

Sustainability has long been a common thread running through your projects: All objects designed for Alessi are made of steel. Was the choice of this material also made for reasons of environmental awareness?

When you work with the Alessi brand, you naturally think of steel: a material that is part of their history and way of designing and which they have mastered with a very special expertise. For me, this is always an opportunity to take a fresh look at it and find a new language. Steel is also an extremely durable material that guarantees a long product life.

One more question about steel: Can a project be created based on the usability of the material? Or does the material only come into play later?

Sometimes it is the material that dictates the form, at other times it is the relationship between idea and boundary that produces the most interesting solution. Projects often arise from a combination of factors such as material, form or production process, without one factor being the driving force.

Edo is the old name for Tokyo, but also the Latin verb for "to eat". The name Clivo is reminiscent of the act of carving, the transformation of a plant fiber into an instrument. How do you come up with the names for the objects you design?

The names are part of the project. Sometimes they come to me immediately, like an intuition, sometimes only at the end, when the object has found its voice. They have to tell a story, create a resonance. "Edo" plays on ambiguity: Time and gesture, orientation and function. "Clivo", on the other hand, begins with an action, a minimal movement – the small cut that transforms a plant fiber into a utensil.

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Clivo Default Title Cutlery set 24 pieces Alessi Clivo Default Title Cutlery set 24 pieces Alessi 1 Clivo Default Title Cutlery set 24 pieces Alessi 2 Clivo Default Title Cutlery set 24 pieces Alessi 3

Clivo

Cutlery set 24 pieces

2.900,00 kr

On sale
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Edo Default Title Pots & pans Alessi Edo Default Title Pots & pans Alessi 1

Edo

Pots & pans

3.250,00 kr

20%

2.600,00 kr

On sale
Edo Default Title Deep frying pan Alessi Edo Default Title Deep frying pan Alessi 1 Edo Default Title Deep frying pan Alessi 2

Edo

Deep frying pan

1.075,00 kr

30%

752,50 kr

On sale
Edo Default Title Milk boiler Alessi Edo Default Title Milk boiler Alessi 1 Edo Default Title Milk boiler Alessi 2

Edo

Milk boiler

740,00 kr

30%

518,00 kr

On sale
Edo Default Title Wok Alessi Edo Default Title Wok Alessi 1 Edo Default Title Wok Alessi 2

Edo

Wok

2.200,00 kr

30%

1.540,00 kr

On sale
Edo Default Title Asparagus steamer Alessi Edo Default Title Asparagus steamer Alessi 1 Edo Default Title Asparagus steamer Alessi 2

Edo

Asparagus steamer

1.100,00 kr

30%

770,00 kr

Edo cm 20 || inch 8″ Frying pan Alessi Edo cm 20 || inch 8″ Frying pan Alessi 1 Edo cm 20 || inch 8″ Frying pan Alessi 2

Edo

Frying pan

From 680,00 kr

On sale
Edo cm 14 || inch 5½″ Lid Alessi Edo cm 14 || inch 5½″ Lid Alessi 1

Edo

Lid

On Sale from 156,00 kr

On sale
Edo cm 16 || inch 6¼″ Casserole with two handles Alessi Edo cm 16 || inch 6¼″ Casserole with two handles Alessi 1 Edo cm 16 || inch 6¼″ Casserole with two handles Alessi 2

Edo

Casserole with two handles

On Sale from 539,00 kr

On sale
Edo cm 14  || inch 5½″ Saucepan Alessi Edo cm 14  || inch 5½″ Saucepan Alessi 1 Edo cm 14  || inch 5½″ Saucepan Alessi 2

Edo

Saucepan

On Sale from 378,00 kr

On sale
Edo cm 24 || inch 9½″ Low casserole with two handles Alessi Edo cm 24 || inch 9½″ Low casserole with two handles Alessi 1 Edo cm 24 || inch 9½″ Low casserole with two handles Alessi 2

Edo

Low casserole with two handles

On Sale from 682,50 kr

On sale
Edo cm 20 || inch 8″ Stockpot Alessi Edo cm 20 || inch 8″ Stockpot Alessi 1 Edo cm 20 || inch 8″ Stockpot Alessi 2

Edo

Stockpot

On Sale from 752,50 kr

On sale
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Edo Default Title Grill pan Alessi Edo Default Title Grill pan Alessi 1 Edo Default Title Grill pan Alessi 2

Edo

Grill pan

1.125,00 kr

30%

787,50 kr