Dezeen · Creativity & design

Formafantasma Appointed Creative Directors of Historic Apothecary

Italian design studio Formafantasma has been named creative directors of the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, an 800-year-old pharmacy and perfumery in Florence.

Founders Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin will focus on the company's products, aiming to uncover their histories to inform new launches. Their role will also encompass packaging, communication, retail spaces, and events.

Formafantasma stated their intention is not to redefine the brand but to build upon its existing legacy since 1221, examining how its history is communicated and how new products are developed.

Founded in 1221 by Dominican friars, the Officina initially prepared remedies from medicinal herbs. It evolved into a public pharmacy, a supplier to the Medici court, and now primarily functions as a perfumery.

The studio highlighted that the Officina's significance lies in the accumulation and transmission of knowledge across generations, embedded in its ingredients, formulations, and techniques.

Formafantasma plans to apply their research-driven approach to materials and sustainability to the company's heritage, exploring how knowledge is preserved and transformed.

The company described Formafantasma's role as curators, safeguarding and evolving the eight centuries of knowledge related to ingredients, formulas, and craft.

This appointment follows Formafantasma's recent role as the first ecology advisor to London's Serpentine Galleries.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.