An Italian brand borne to life by the Bagnai brothers, Momenti produces design elements for the urban home – ranging from furniture and wallpapers to ceramics and paintings. With an excellence Made in Italy, the brand offers an array of interesting collaborations and projects that fit every taste. In conversation with Ashok Basoya – Founder, Ottimo, PEAKLIFE discovers the beauty of Momenti, how it came to life, and its versatile brand philosophy.
1. Starting off, how did Momenti come to inception? What was the inspiration behind it?
By combining business acumen with creativity, brothers Alexander and Matteo Bagnai began a unique journey in 2005 with the launch of Momenti, an artistic design workshop, which aims to customize furnishing spaces through exciting and fascinating solutions. Approaching the world of design by learning its rules directly on the field, they chose an artistic path. The result is, design that is steeped in art and creativity. The passion towards creativity emerges from the very beginning with the conception of a series of accessories. Their first production comprised a line of mirrors, realized with a mixture of simple basic materials and precise handwork, such as mosaic. Creating, experimenting, researching are an integral part of Momenti’s DNA. Alexander and Matteo’s brand idea follows a mixed path, suggested by ever-changing ambitions.
2. What are the key elements, materials, or concepts the brand entails?
Momenti has emerged as a unique custom design company offering tailor-made designs for the entire living environment from floor to wall coverings, furniture to accessories and artworks. Momenti’s collections cover any surface, be it a floor, a wall, a piece of furniture or decor. The working process allows us to customize each type of covering starting from an idea, an intuition, a simple design provided by the client, or an image available in our catalogues.
Momenti’s furniture collections include a vast selection of products: sideboards, high sideboards, tables, coffee tables, consoles, chairs, sofas, hung cabinets, and accessories. The collections use only natural raw materials that are non-toxic, ecological, and hygienic. The surface material coating features a non-toxic, water-based matt resin finish, which is also ecological and is hand-applied. The tailor-made technical covering fabrics come in many kinds of materials like glass fiber obtained from fiberglass yarns, techno fiber fiberglass, and technical fabric built with honeycomb structure for sound absorption, etc. They are crafted from natural raw materials and are eco-friendly and hygienical.
Momenti’s paintings or artistic prints are made on five different materials: Aluminium panel; Polymethyl methacrylate plastic material that is similar to optical fiber in quality and transparency; Canvas panel, which is in aluminum alloy, externally covered with fiberglass fabric and vintage effect matte resin finish; Alveolar ecopanel which is 100% recycled and recyclable cellulose panel with cellulose white kraft; and Sound absorbing panel in mdf structure, coated externally with acoustic polyester.
And, the tiles are made of glazed porcelain, obtained from a mixture of clay, sand, and other natural materials, baked at high temperature beyond 2192°F. They are easy to clean, scratch, and high heat resistant, and feature modular prints in one format and long-lasting colours. They are ideal for outdoors as well.
3. Momenti is known for emphasizing collaborations showcasing craftsmanship from across the world. What is the thought behind this decision?
The thought behind the collaborations is to broaden the concept of our products, to dabble in an international market that is more and more demanding and selective. Also to promote the ‘Made in Italy’ quality of our products, as we know that, worldwide, those who seek excellence in customizable, perfectly coordinated products, look towards Italy. With Italian excellence and an outlook to the future in mind, Momenti brings together a blend of personalities and a highly-skilled workforce on shared projects, in order to achieve a perfectly customized and coordinated end product.
We collaborate with artists, designers, graphic artists, illustrators and artisans from across the world. Under the Momenti label, various personalities with different abilities are working on shared products.
4. Today’s consumers seek both functionality and aesthetics. How would you say Momenti is catering to this demand?
Momenti totally understands that functionality and aesthetics go hand in hand. That’s why each and every Momenti product is fully and entirely customizable. You can choose the product, decide on the details, materials and finishes that best suit you, as well as the graphics, either from acclaimed international artists and designers, or the ones you wish to apply. And finally, compose your project yourself. Momenti will accompany you on this journey with the design, and implementation of your ideas, while offering you freedom of expression throughout the process.
The Italian character of the products ensures that great thought is paid to every single production process – from the choice of materials and their quality, to the attention to detail, made from knowledge, experience, and extraordinary technique. Everything is rigorously executed by hand, every single product goes through all the phases of creation, from conception to production.
5. Lastly, any word of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the industry?
Be creative and don’t restrict yourself. You need to explore different kinds of designs, cultures, and materials. Try to integrate technology into your designs as much as possible to make the solutions you provide practical and up to date.
