4 artistic hairdryer models that you've definitely never seen before
Drying hair has to be quick and practical in everyday life, of course. At the Milan Furniture Fair, however, new hairdryers were exhibited with designs that emphasise completely different attributes.
Imagine you had to assemble a small hairdryer here and now from what you have at your disposal. What would it look like? To be honest, I'm reaching the limits of my imagination with this little thought experiment. That wouldn't happen to designer Andrea de Chirico. My colleague Pia Seidel spotted his unusual hairdryer creations at this year's Milano Design Week and brought me a few snapshots of his four-part "Set 2.0 Hair dryers" collection.
Teamwork
Under the label of his design studio Superlocal, which was founded in 2015, four models were created locally and by hand in three different European cities. In doing so, de Chirico relied on the resources available in each city. This means not only the different materials such as glass, ceramics, cork, wood and products from the 3D printer, but also the talents and production techniques of local craftsmen and women.
Source: Pia Seidel
Source: Pia Seidel
One of the objects made in West London, for example, consists of two main components: Ceramics and wood. The former was moulded by hand on the disc by a local ceramist and then painted with golden details. The wooden hand part, on the other hand, was produced in parts on a lathe in a factory. The filter on the back comes from a 3D printer, the mechanical inner workings from a nearby charity shop.
Source: Pia Seidel
Source: Pia Seidel
With this project, the designer wants to show that with the right network, it is perfectly possible to produce high-quality and unique everyday objects within a radius of just a few square kilometres. Each hairdryer tells a different story and is a reflection of its surroundings. How practical the models are remains to be seen. But they are certainly a welcome change for the eye.
Cover photo: Pia Seidel
As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.