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“Napoli Future Nostalgia”: Allegra Hicks and Nilufar Reimagine Italian Luxury at Salone del Mobile

“Napoli Future Nostalgia”: Allegra Hicks and Nilufar Reimagine Italian Luxury at Salone del Mobile March 20, 2025Art Events, Interior Design, Milan0 Comments

“Napoli Future Nostalgia”: Allegra Hicks and Nilufar Gallery Reimagine Italian Craftsmanship at Salone del Mobile

This spring, at Salone del Mobile 2025 in Milan, renowned artist Allegra Hicks and the visionary Nilufar Gallery invite us into a world where memory, artistry, and innovation intertwine like golden threads in a Renaissance tapestry.

The “Napoli Future Nostalgia” collection is more than just a showcase—it’s a journey through time, an ode to Naples’ layered history, where the echoes of ancient civilizations meet the bold language of contemporary design. It’s about duality—the masculine and the feminine, the structured and the organic, the historical and the avant-garde. And above all, it’s about the soul of Italian craftsmanship, alive and thriving in the modern age.

A Vision Rooted in Naples, Elevated in Milan

For Hicks, Naples is more than a city—it’s an emotion, a living palimpsest of time and transformation. Her collaboration with Nilufar, now in its second year, unfolds like a love letter to the region, drawing on its rich cultural tapestry to create pieces that feel as eternal as the Vesuvian landscapes they are inspired by.

At the heart of the collection is an exquisite interplay of materials, where the unexpected meets the timeless. The defining element? Crocheted bronze—a poetic contrast of strength and delicacy, embodying both the permanence of archaeological relics and the intricate intimacy of handcrafted textiles. This fusion is Hicks’ masterstroke: a tribute to the resilience of the past, reinterpreted through a distinctly modern lens.

Design as a Living Memory

Each of the eight unique pieces in Napoli Future Nostalgia carries a story—an artistic conversation between tradition and reinvention. Miroirs, tables basses, une console, une chaise longue, un lustre, un tapis—each object emerges as a sculptural fragment, almost as if it were unearthed from an ancient excavation site, yet perfectly suited for the most elegant of contemporary interiors.

One of the collection’s most mesmerizing pieces, the “Conchiglia di Mare” console, channels the sinuous beauty of ocean waves and Naples’ maritime mythology, its form echoing seashells caught in the tides of time. Elsewhere, the “Narciso” and “Echo” mirrors pay homage to classical mythology, reflecting not just their admirers but also the haunting depth of their stories.

The “Golfi” tables, inspired by the breathtaking Gulf of Naples, merge into one another like the eternal dance of yin and yang, their red and violet hues evoking the raw energy of Mediterranean sunsets. And then there’s the “Poppea” chaise longue, a reclining masterpiece that nods to Pompeii’s ancient luxury while indulging in a velvety, modern sensuality.

Every element, from the “Metamorphosis” chandelier to the “Hera” handwoven rug, is a testament to the highest level of Italian craftsmanship. Handmade with the lost-wax casting technique, the collection embodies an artisanal legacy passed down through generations, celebrating the alchemy of material and memory.

Nilufar: The Bridge Between Past and Future

Founded by Nina Yashar in 1979, Nilufar Gallery has long been a beacon of experimental yet historically rooted design, seamlessly uniting heritage and innovation. With Hicks, Nilufar once again proves its prowess in championing artists who defy convention, challenging the very boundaries between art and craftsmanship.

The gallery’s dedication to nurturing talent while honoring traditional artisanship makes Napoli Future Nostalgia more than an exhibition—it’s a cultural moment, a space where the past is not merely remembered but reawakened in breathtaking new forms.

A Nostalgic Future, A Timeless Legacy

With Napoli Future Nostalgia, Hicks and Nilufar invite us to embrace a paradox—the idea that the future is, in some ways, a return to the past. That in every innovation, there is a trace of history, and in every work of art, a longing for something eternal.

Presented at Nilufar Depot from April 6 to August 31, 2025, the collection is an invitation to touch, to remember, and to dream. Because in the hands of a true artist, design is never just about aesthetics—it’s about creating something that, like Naples itself, will never be forgotten.