On Nicanor Garcia Street in Makati, you might notice a new two-story building, unobtrusively set back, with a logo positioned on the corner of the facade. That’s Flexform, the latest high-end Italian furniture export to make its way to Manila.
Through synonymous with luxury, the label is deliberately discreet. “Flexform, being a brand that is very meticulous and takes great attention to detail, caters to the VIPs,” says export manager Giuliano Galimberti, who flew here for the launch earlier this week.
But Galimberti wouldn’t reveal the names of these VIPs. “With celebrities, we do not like to show off big names but are proud to say that many celebrities, actors and actresses, singers, soccer and tennis players use Flexform.”
Founded in 1959 by the Galimberti siblings in northern Italy, the label found success in the postwar era with patrons of distinction in Milan and Lake Como. Their pieces can even be found in the foyer of Teatro alla Scala.
Galimberti, who is related to the founders, hinges the label’s success on its resistance to trends.
“We do our own way,” he says. “We believe that Flexform offers longevity—in style and quality.”
“Clients sometimes ask us to replace the covering of a sofa more than 20 years after its purchase. The structure is still solid. And the (look) never goes out of style,” he adds.
Quietly modern
Though Italians have a reputation for flamboyance, Flexform harks to a certain aesthetic. Though “timelessness” is a key quality, the label churns out quietly modern items with discreetly luxurious details, like a handwoven leather headboard on an otherwise minimal bed frame.
Galimberti credits much of the company’s success to their collaborations with designers like Joe Colombo, Rodolfo Bonetti, Asnago Vender, Cini Boeri, considered some of the most prominent designers from the late ’70s.
“We boast of the 40-year cooperation with architect Antonio Citterio, who has an incredible vision for design, and has designed a substantial amount of our sofas and furnishing. Of late, we have worked with Carlo Colombo, Julio Manzoni and, in 2016, renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, who designed the Adagio sofa for our company,” Galimberti says.
For furniture neophytes looking to invest, he considers the Infinity Bookshelf, the ABCD Chair and the Groundpiece Sofa to be iconic Flexform pieces.
Giuliano Galimberti
Culture of home living
Though design is a driver when it comes to consumer decision making, Galimberti considers comfort a greater imperative.
“The sofa should be a nice piece, it should please aesthetics-wise, but never forget the mission of that item, which is to welcome you in a very comfortable way—to hug you when you want to rest and want to sit down and you need something special. It must be well-made. It must be good quality.”
Galimberti wants to frame the conversation around a piece’s utility. Is it functional? Is it comfortable? Will it work with the rest of the items in your home?
“We love the idea of conceiving, designing and producing home furnishings that help create friendly, warm and welcoming environments.”
The Flexform showroom is at 215 Nicanor Garcia St., Bel Air 2, Makati City.