From cigar collections to sneakers, ski gear to arcades, there’s a world within every Pinel & Pinel trunk.
Among his bespoke creations are a sneaker trunk for Michael Jordan, an homage to architect Mies van der Rohe in the form of a ‘boudoir’ trunk, and one featuring a gaming arcade complete with games such as Pac-Man and Space Invaders. Naturally, there’s more where these come from.
Here, we speak to the founder of Pinel & Pinel on luxury, his creative process, and what sets Hong Kong – home of the first Pinel & Pinel store in Asia – apart from the European market.
What did you feel was missing in the market when you started Pinel et Pinel?
At the time, the only ones making trunks were Louis Vuitton and Goyard, and the trunks were all brown. For me, being more contemporary, I felt I could do something different. We’ve since done a picnic trunk with Krug, an amazing success. Afterwards we’ve worked on many collaborations – one with Michael Jordan, for sneakers, other trunks for prince, and an homage for Ms Van der Rhone, behind the Barcelona chair.
What inspired you to turn trunks into a form of furniture?
I don’t think I transform trunks into furniture. I think they’re made the same way. Trunks are the haute couture of leather goods; it’s very difficult to design, with all the details and the drawers needing to work correctly. If someone wants a trunk because they dream about travelling, I’ll make it for them; if they don’t, I’ll do a ‘furniture’, without wheels.
I take a shower. (Laughs) Once I do something, it’s very easy, because everything is possible. If someone says ‘no, you can’t do that’ – why not? If you want to, of course you can. For example, a trunk for a small motorbike – if we want to do that, why not? Whoever says ‘no’ will not be able to do it. If I want to, I do. Because I’m still alive at the moment, I can create what I want. Everything is possible for me.
How do you see Pinel & Pinel in the homes of Hong Kongers?
It depends. My clients have large spaces – they give me the details and I create a trunk for them, and that’s it. But they’re not the only market, there are also smaller places, and so we need to create smaller things. We work more closely with these clients, and have them explain more clearly where they intend to situate the piece. If they prefer something smaller, we can do it – small is still beautiful.
What differences do you observe between the Asian and European markets?
I think the difference is that in Asia, you are more colourful, preferring lots of bright colours rather than brown and black. In France – in Europe – they prefer dark colours.
Complete the following: luxury is _.
Simple.
Style is _.
Personal.
A version of this article originally appeared in our September 2018 issue.
The post This designer creates bespoke trunks for sneakers, cigars, and vintage gaming arcades appeared first on Home Journal.
