From April 14th to May 24th one of the most important design events in Italy, Brazil S/A, will host Brazilian leather’s most innovative project yet: Design na Pele. The exhibition takes place at Università Degli Studi Di Milano, in Milan, and is part of Brazilian Leather – a sectoral project focused on the international promotion of leather produced in Brazil and coordinated by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) in partnership with Apex-Brasil (the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).
This year Design na Pele showcases a more mature project, with structured processes and well alignedexecution strategies.Also, the new edition brings exciting news: an unifying proposal, where each of the twelve participating tanneries creates its own version for one common theme. From thecentral theme ‘Escritas’ (Writings) companies combine research and creativity, gathering historical and cultural elements in order to plan and create leather’s colours and textures. Leather is no longer just leather. It takes an entire country with it. The initiative has been coveredon an exclusive magazine, DNP MAG, and through a series of web-docs and fashion films.
Design na Pele is coordinated by the two of the most celebrated Brazilian designers: Ronaldo Fraga and Heloísa Crocco. In fact, Fraga has had one of the articles he created during the project exhibited at Design of the Year, one of the world’s most important exhibitions, which takes place at the London Design Museum. He was the only Brazilian name in the event.
According to executive president of CICB, José Fernando Bello, Design na Pele is an unique project,allowing Brazilians to make the most of their creativity. “And that naturally brings even more value to our leather”, says Bello. Design na Pele has been celebrated by Apex-Brasil,that has presented it as an example of innovation to managers from other economic sectors. The ones interested in taking part in the initiative may call: +55 (61) 3224-1867. These are the tanneries participating in Design na Pele ‘Escritas’:
Aplic Colour
Curtume Rusan*
Courovale
Couros Bom Retiro
Fuga Couros*
Cortume Krumenauer*
Industria de Peles Minuano
Romeu Couros
Couroquimica*
Nova Kaeru*
JBS
Curtume Moderno
*New on the project
About the designers who curate the project: Heloísa Crocco – She is one of the most celebrated names regarding the combination of crafts and design in Brazil. Heloísa Crocco was one of the first designers to adventure in artisanal handicraft, over 20 years ago. Crocco graduated in Design from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), in 1970. She has been accumulating awards ever since, as well as participations in exhibitions and biennials in Germany, Austria, Hungary, USA, France, Mexico, Uruguai and Brazil. In Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Heloísa manages Crocco Studio Design.
Ronaldo Fraga – A well known personality in Brazilian fashion, Ronaldo Fraga is a fashion designer whose collections are in constant dialogue with culture and sustainability. Born in Minas Gerais, his clothes are sold in two flagships located in Belo Horizonte and São Paulo, as well as in 30 other multi brand stores across Brazil. He is a graduate of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), who holds postgraduate degrees from New York’s Parsons The New School For Design and London’s Saint Martin’s School of Art. In 2008, Fraga was one of the 100 designers selected for the Brit Insurance – Design of the Year, an exhibition organized by the London Design Museum.
