If you walked through SoHo last week, you might have caught a tantalizing image out of the corner of your eye: beyond a large window, cascades of blue-hued fabric drifted from the ceiling, evoking the ephemeral dance of Sakura petals in the wind.
The vision was the U.S. debut of Hana-arashi—a striking fusion of furniture and décor by Japanese designer Oki Sato, known as Nendo, in collaboration with Paola Lenti, the Italian furniture house revered for its bold approach to color and materiality. The display welcomes visitors to the inaugural exhibition at Robina Benson SoHo, the newest branch of the luxury design studio.
At a kick-off party last week where CULTURED served as press partner, guests milled around the vibrant display of floor lamps, armchairs, poufs, and baskets crafted from remnants of Paola Lenti’s signature Maris fabric while sipping champagne and Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky and indulging in Haute Caviar’s caviar tartlets.
As the evening wound down, Paola Lenti CEO and guest of honor Anna Lenti joined event co-hosts, Christine and John Gachot of Gachot Studios, at a long communal table, raising a final toast to Robina Benson and the studio’s new East Coast chapter.
For those eager to experience the innovative dialogue between Japanese precision and Italian craftsmanship, Hana-arashi is now on view in SoHo through May 30.
