An intriguing location can reveal a lot about a fashion collection or the inspirations employed by a particular designer. In some cases the actual spaces where a fashion presentation or a photoshoot take place become the real protagonists. This is definitely the case with the Spring/Summer 2017 Atelier Eclècktica line by Como-based Roberta Redaelli.
At times Redaelli seems to be more interested in industrial processes (she is into bio-medicine and patented the Dinami-Tecs process that allows to produce a textile that has all the characteristics of a knitted piece) and for this collection the designer, who previous showed a passion for architectural perspectives and industrial spaces, moved from the works of Geneva-based artist André Bucher.
The latter is inspired in his works by the power of vulcanoes and fascinated by the energy, colours and consistence of lava. Redaelli borrowed from Bucher's the main shades for her prints – revolving around a lava red, bronze and a dirty yellow palette – while the artist's cracked paintings in natural tones such as terracotta and grey, inspired the surface elaborations.
The most interesting thing about this collection is the fact that it was shot (by Guido Taroni) in a historical space, the Milan-based Fonderia Artistica Battaglia (Battaglia Artistic Foundry). The images for Redaelli's collection were taken among the models and materials tracing back the history of Fonderia Artistica Battaglia.
This is not the first time that Redaelli turns to an industrial space, having previously picked the Cartiera Carcano, as a location for another photoshoot.
The Battaglia Foundry has got a very arty history: founded in 1913, it produces through the lost-wax bronze casting process bronze sculptures on commission and collaborates to various art and design projects, while it is also known for restoring damaged art pieces.
The Foundry has collaborated throughout the decades with famous artists including Alik Cavaliere, Kengiro Azuma, Marino Marini, Giuseppe Penone, Giacomo Manzù, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Giannino Castiglioni, Francesco Messina, Alighiero Boetti, Guido Galletti and Lucio Fontana.
Currently under the management of FAI – the Italian Artistic Foundation looking after historic and artistic sites – the Foundry has also launched new projects with young designers and during the FuoriSalone 2017 at the recent Milan Design Week, it unveiled a special interior design project by Roberto Sironi.
You can bet the foundry will at some point become the location of a Milanese catwalk show in a not so distant future. Just wait for more fashion designers to rediscover it.
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