This Mexican Designer Transforms Humble Materials Into Sophisticated Furniture

Armed with a degree in product design from Central St. Martins, Mexican designer Fernando Laposse is renowned for his innovative use of natural materials and a commitment to sustainability and social impact. He is best known for transforming agricultural waste into striking design pieces, particularly with his work using lesser-known plant fibers like sisal, loofah, totomoxtle (a veneer made from heirloom corn husks) and avocado. His designs are deeply rooted in his Mexican heritage, emphasizing the importance of preserving indigenous farming practices and biodiversity. His collaborations with local farmers in the Mexican countryside reflect his dedication to creating design that is both beautiful and environmentally conscious, while also fostering economic growth in rural communities.

Describe to me your design language and philosophy. What is the most important consideration when you first start creating a design?

For me, it’s important that there is coherence. I use natural materials and I like to make design decisions that make the materials shine and that present stories of their origin and their relationship to the communities that grow them.

What is your relationship with nature?

My relationship with nature? I am nature, and so are you. I think a great part of the problems we face in this world come from the fact that we have created this myth that humans are somewhat a separate entity from the rest of the natural world.

How did the collaboration with Perrier-Jouët come about and what values do you share with the brand?

They approached me because they felt our values of respect and appreciation for the natural world aligned.

Tell me about the “The Pollination Dance” installation you created for Perrier-Jouët and what you were trying to achieve. How did you translate Perrier-Jouët’s Art Nouveau heritage into your works?

“The Pollination Dance” is a space that takes you to the first moments of spring where the insects and the flowers engage in an embrace that is necessary for the survival of life on earth. It is a brief moment, but absolutely vital and poetic. This was represented with a landscape of dyed silk curtains, which are covered in hand-sewn insects. The silks are dyed with a pigment derived from cochineal, an insect we find in Mexico, and wild marigold flowers. For me, it was important to take the concept as far as possible. At the center of the installation, we find three branches that are populated by flowers and leaves, which are bathed in a light stream of yellow sand that represents pollen, but also the passage of time. The flowers and insects were 3D printed from a resin made with soy starch, which is taking notes from the spirit of Art Nouveau, an art movement that took inspiration from nature, while also innovating with the technology available at the beginning of the 20^th century.

How were you inspired by the ecosystem of the Champagne vineyard?

The whole concept was heavily inspired by my visits to Perrier-Jouët’s vineyard, where they are now practicing permaculture and allowing wild flowers and insects to populate the cultivation fields.

What new projects and exhibitions are you currently working on?

We are working on private commissions at the moment, which are expansions or continuations of previous projects and materials. I don’t like to produce too many new things; I like to take my time.