Founded in Milan in 2006 by Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto, Studiopepe has, over the past few years, established itself as an influential and idiosyncratic voice within the contemporary design landscape. Their multidisciplinary approach – spanning interiors, product design, scenography and art direction – is marked by a bold and expressive use of colour, form and material.The international breakthrough of this female-led design studio came with Club Unseen during Milan Design Week 2018. Set in a secret location within an industrial warehouse and accessible by invitation only, visitors were guided through a sequence of rooms featuring a bar and furniture designed especially for the project. Since then, the duo and their team have built an impressive portfolio of collaborations, including projects with Cassina, Baxter and Gallotti&Radice. We spoke with Arianna and Chiara about their vision, inspirations and the unique power of feminine design.
5 questions for Studiopepe
1. What should we be talking about more in the design world today?
“The utopian, radical design of the 1970s is far behind us. Society has changed: grand ideals have faded, and design now plays a different role. It should help us live better by gently adapting to our needs, becoming an almost intuitive part of spaces that feel comfortable and offer a sens of refuge.”
2. Which recent project challenged you in unexpected ways?
“The Alysi showroom in Paris was a particularly interesting challenge. We stripped the architecture back to its essence, allowing the materials to speak for themselves. At the same time, we wanted to create a space that felt both sophisticated and luxurious – all within the tight deadlines that are so typical of our field.”
3. What excites you most about the possibilities design offers today? Are there specific materials, technologies or ideas you are keen to explore?
“At the moment, we are particularly fascinated by natural wools and traditional hand-weaving techniques. We recently travelled to Sardinia for a workshop at a historic textile company. It was an extraordinary experience that will inform our future projects, and even our work for the next edition of Milan Design Week.”
4. In what way does being a woman influence how you approach projects?
“While we prefer not to link creativity to gender, we do notice that a feminine approach often naturally stems from a sense of inclusion and humanity. For us, femininity is not about a particular style or aesthetic, but rather a way of working: flexible, open and free from rigid rules. We listen to input from our clients and our team alike. As a female duo, we firmly believe that creativity emerges through dialogue and cross-pollination.”
5. Arianna works with clay models and manual techniques, drawing and creating collages by hand. How great is the need for craftsmanship in this digital age?
“Working with ceramics is deeply satisfying because you control the entire process: from the initial modelling, sometimes even sourcing clay from nature, to the firing itself. In a typical design project, there is no space for that. Ceramics help overcome the sense of detachment often experienced by designers, reconnecting them with craftsmanship. More and more of our peers are rediscovering the joy of working without a rigid plan, embracing the idea that true control is an illusion. A piece emerging of the kiln is always a surprise – it may warp, crack or develop unexpected colours. And that is precisely what makes it so compelling. For us, mistakes and imperfections mark the beginning of a creative process. They bring value and character, especially in a time when technology and the pursuit of control tend to dominate.”
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