I have just completed a very successful tour of all the Twiice International suppliers abroad - a trip I do at least once a year to touch base!

I started with Vitra and was delighted and naturally impressed to see their new offices designed by South African architect (now living in The States), Craig Wilkinson. Vitra have always been very architecturally aware - and again they have a masterpiece that supercedes. Besides the building, I also got to see new products which only confirmed in my mind their reputation as being "The best of the best!"

I am sure many of you will share my enthusiasm of Moroso and their designs! Working closely with established and new designers, Moroso have fun with their products whilst still being passionate about maintaining top quality - their factory was an eye opener as I saw all products being made by  hand...no machine can compete!

And of course there is Kartell where I had a good laugh with management after once again hearing the story (one I hear every year) of a South African/Italian who has tried, yet again, to steal the agency from Twiice International - this diminutive man goes to Milan where he attempts to lure away what he will not get!

And then there is very exciting news for Twiice International  - we have just signed another deal overseas, one that is exciting and on a scale of our most famed MTN deal! Of course, you will hear more on this!

So, read on and you will find these are busy and exciting times with new products coming in and events happening!
 
www.twiice.com

It's stands out proud - hard to miss; and the look and feel will be one that leaves an impression on all those that are design savvy and passionate - this is our new Johannesburg showroom!

Of course, we will be having a grand opening - date to be confirmed in our next newsletter; a party that should leave a mark on all and keep all talking for some time afterwards!

www.twiice.com

Patricia Urquiola was born in 1961 in Oviedo, Spain. After transferring to Italy she  graduated from the MIlan polytechnic in 1989 (with a thesis mentored by Achille Castiglioni).

In 1991 she started working for the furniture company De Padova in Milan in Milan, heading the product development office, where she also designed her first furniture item (together with Vico Magestretti).

Between 1993 and 1996 she opened and associated studio with two friends; working on architecture, interiors, showrooms and restaurants. From 1996 to 2000 she became manager of the Lissoni Associate Design group and in 2001 she opened her own studio in Milan. Her recent work includes projects for Moroso, B&B Italia, Driade, Kartell, Flos and others.

It's that time of the year coming up - the anticiapted Twiice Sale! Due to a new showroom in Johannesburg and a revamp-to-be soon in Cape Town we are getting a lot of products in and therefore need you to help get the existing items out!

SO...

From the 17th July - 22nd July at both Johannesburg and Cape Town showrooms products will be discounted up to 70%!

We are excited about the new Moroso products that are expected to be in both our Johannesburg and Cape Town showrooms at the end of July!

Since 1952 Moroso has been designing its sofas, armchairs and accessories with well-known designers such as Ron Arad, Carlo Colombo, Marc Newson and Patricia Urquiola!

All their products are made by hand - a testament to the care, quality and passion that goes into all of their products.

www.moroso.it

From 1955 to 1981 the Vitra site in Weil am Rhein saw the successive addition of various manufacturing and warehouse structures that yielded a somewhat conincedental and improvised architectural composite. In 1981 most of these buildings were destroyed by a major fire. Although insurance funds only covered six-month interruption in production, the company did not wish to settle for anonymous standardised industrial structures or a solution with temporary facilties.

The architecture was to be functional and offer a pleasant work environment while also fulfilling aesthetic requirements. Assigned to the architect Nicholas Grimshaw, this first project was followed by further buildings over the years, resulting in a heterogenous ensemble of contemporary architecture : The Vitra Campus.

To read more go to www.vitra.com