On March 12, the immersive art exhibition ‘The Sound of Colors · Delvis’ opened grandly at Delvis Art Space, 86 Sinan Road, Shanghai. Stefano Del Vecchio, the founder and president of Delvis Group, was present at the event and accepted an interview with TrendsPlus Media.

Below is the interview content:

Q: Last December, Delvis held the ‘Domestic Titans’exhibition, and three months later, we have the ‘The Sound of Colors’ exhibition. Could you share what brand philosophy Delvis aims to convey through these exhibitions?

A: The Delvis brand has always been committed to perfectly blending art and design. Since last December, we have been actively collaborating with emerging local artists to build a tight network of connections between artists and the brand. Now, with our exhibition space in the heart of Shanghai, we aim to further explore the convergence of art and design, as well as the intersection of art and Chinese market values.

The opening of the ‘The Sound of Colors’ exhibition is a continuation and development of the style of the‘Domestic Titans’exhibition three months ago. It more deeply reflects Delvis’ passion for noble materials and explores how to cleverly apply these materials in various product lines. We have also further explored the sensory experiences of materials in terms of touch, smell, and even sound, bringing a richer artistic enjoyment to the audience.

Q: From the perspective of an art collector, what is the relationship between art and furniture? How is this relationship reflected in Delvis’ future product lines?

A: I have been passionate about art collecting for many years. Through traveling around the world, I have been able to appreciate the art treasures of different cultures and deeply understand the importance of understanding art. It is not only personal wealth but also a source of inspiration for lifestyle. I hope to integrate the artistic inspiration I have gained from traveling, visiting museums, galleries, and artists’ studios into the furniture and home products we design. This way, our Chinese customers can also use and appreciate these designs filled with a sense of art, experiencing the charm of the fusion of art and life.

I have drawn a lot of inspiration from expressionist painting, such as the strength of the painter’s brushstrokes and the dynamic posture of the gesture, which are incorporated into the design of some of our products as unique sources of inspiration. Additionally, I am inspired by other artists who may be from Africa or involved in the Brutalist art movement, or even Cubism. We draw inspiration from these art styles, not only in the details of product design but also in the design of shapes and structures, showcasing a unique style deeply influenced by art pieces that have left a profound impression in my memory and experience.

Q: As the year begins, what are your expectations for the brand’s performance in the Chinese market? How does it differ from the Italian market?

A: The Delvis brand has successfully established its first exhibition hall in Shanghai and has received positive feedback from the market. Therefore, we are actively expanding our presence in the Chinese market, planning to open sales points in more major and medium-sized cities like Beijing, expanding the scope of product sales, and allowing more Chinese consumers to experience the high-quality products of the Delvis brand.

The Italian market has already reach a mature stage for Italian design, particularly favoring modern and contemporary styles. The Chinese market is emerging rapidly, with an increasing demand for high-end products. I believe that in the near future, China will surpass the Italian market in terms of high-end product demand.

Q: Since the brand was founded in 1984, how do you think the home decoration market has changed? For example, in terms of consumer demand, product materials, and style. How has Delvis adapted to these changes?

A: When I started my business in Italy in 1984, the design style was quite different from what it is now. At that time, design was relatively simple, material choices were limited, mainly wood, and the target market was primarily Europe and the United States. Therefore, design was subject to more restrictions and had to cater to the tastes of these markets.

With the continuous development of production technology, I frequently traveled between Italy and China and gradually realized the huge production potential of China. There is a surprising similarity between the Chinese and Italian people in terms of tradition, work enthusiasm, and the use of materials and tools. Therefore, I want to take full advantage of China’s talent pool, where there is a large number of excellent workers who can meticulously handle every detail of the product, which is difficult to achieve in Italy. Especially their strong willingness to work and learn allows me to develop products that are more refined than those in Italy, bringing a higher-quality home experience to the Chinese market.

Q: There are also many Italian furniture brands in the Chinese market. What are the core strengths of Delvis compared to these brands?

A: Compared to other Italian brands, Delvis’ core strength lies in our perfect combination of Italian design and Chinese manufacturing. We not only retain art galleries and handcrafted production in Italy but have also expanded our business to China, taking advantage of local strengths to achieve fast delivery.

The furniture produced in Delvis’ Chinese factory is of the same quality as that produced in Italian factories, but the price is more competitive. We use the geographical advantage to complete product delivery in a few weeks, while other Italian brands may need several months. Additionally, Delvis’ Chinese factory has many employees who have come from Italy, responsible for developing the entire production process to ensure consistent product quality.

Q: Delvis has established a flagship store in Shanghai and an exhibition hall in Beijing. What are the future business plans in China and globally?

A: The Delvis brand is actively expanding in the Chinese market, planning to target Shenzhen as the next city and negotiating with relevant institutions in Hangzhou and other cities to open more sales points in the future, allowing more Chinese consumers to experience the high-quality products of the Delvis brand.

Q: It is reported that Delvis participated in the Shenzhen Design Week, which opened on March 16. Could you share with us the purpose and expectations of your participation? What new products will be displayed?

A: The term ‘Design Week’ itself indicates that we are part of the design field. Therefore, we hope to occupy a place in the Chinese design community and wish to showcase our projects in this carefully curated design environment to let more people understand the design philosophy and products of the Delvis brand.

Shenzhen Design Week is a high-profile event that attracts many well-known international architects and designers, especially Chinese designers. This is an excellent opportunity for us to promote our products to these target audiences and to engage in communication and interaction with the design community.

For this event, we are launching a series of new products, including a new dining table made from a variety of materials,such as marble and wood; cabinets with a leather surface, aiming to bring a luxurious touch and visual experience to our customers; a variety of innovative chair designs to meet different spatial and style needs; and small beds designed for guest rooms or children’s rooms, which save space while remaining comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. These new products are made from a variety of high-end materials such as leather, fabric, wood, and metal, and have undergone innovative craft processing to present more novel and fashionable spatial combinations.

Q: We had the opportunity to interview Design Director Luca last time and talked about Delvis Unlimited. This time, we have the chance to interview you, and we would like to know more about the original intention and future development plans of Delvis Unlimited.

A: Delvis Unlimited represents the highest expression of our brand, embodying the Italian tradition of exceptional craftsmanship and the ultimate use of materials. Our artisans pour their hearts into making the most of the materials, limited to only two or three pieces per item, ensuring its uniqueness and preciousness. This series even goes beyond the category of luxury furniture, and we have been continuously expanding into the field of collectibles. In this series, we collaborate with top designers who propose innovative designs, or I personally create each piece, which is individually produced for a single collector. The price of these works naturally exceeds that of factory-produced products, but their value lies in their collectible level, with each piece being a unique artistic treasure. We even invite designers to handcraft these unique pieces, ensuring that each one is the crystallization of the designer’s unique insights and exquisite craftsmanship. Delvis Unlimited offers the most top-tier single items in the industry, and these works, conceived and handmade by a single designer, are increasingly favored and cherished by collectors for their uniqueness and artistic value.

Q: During Milan Design Week, will there be any special activities at the Delvis Unlimited Milan showroom?

A: This year, during Milan Design Week, we will host an unprecedented innovative event, which is unique in both the design field and globally. We have invited seven internationally renowned designers whose handcrafted and designed works will be showcased in our Brera showroom in Milan, collectively forming a complete home space. Each designer will take turns spending a night in the showroom, experiencing the works they have created themselves. The following day, they will also be interviewed by the media, sharing their feelings and insights from this unique environment. This initiative is a first at Milan Design Week and will undoubtedly be a highlight of the event.

Among them, there are creators with dual identities as artists and designers, which makes this exhibition full of infinite fun and possibilities. In the future, we will also consider bringing similar activities to Shanghai.

Q: Given the advanced technology of artificial intelligence today, have you considered applying it to the Delvis brand?

A: In the ‘The Sound of Colors’ exhibition, we skillfully integrated artificial intelligence technology, combining the tactile and visual experiences of materials with music. The exhibition was divided into four areas, each corresponding to a specific musical genre.