Derek Castiglioni and his vision as a Designer

THE URBAN-GREEN WORLD OF DEREK CASTIGLIONI AND THE BIRTH OF HIS FURNITURE.

Derek Castiglioni, an outdoor designer known all over the world, combines an all-Italian background in construction and knowledge of greenery with a culture and awareness of the digital media through which he conveys his work. His hanging gardens and installations for the big names in international luxury reproduce exotic atmospheres and suggestions with an early 20th century postcard effect.

Where did you train?
I studied architecture in Milan and gained experience in Australia in the field of urban planning. I started working in the family business, which deals with construction and nursery: in particular in the development of green roofs and hanging gardens.

Mandelli was the first Italian company to create hanging gardens, from which we also developed the nursery part. The first period I felt disoriented, I did not see this design of green spaces as real architecture.

I looked for an approach, a cut, an idea to get closer to the world of green, developing the design part and connecting with design studios and fashion brands.

"Today I design green spaces starting from scratch, creating everything that is the “outside” world as if it were an interior, choosing details, materials and essences."
Derek Castiglioni

How do you start each of your projects? Do you have a particular creative process?
I always start from architecture and design. If I see, for example, a courtyard I imagine how it could have been in another historical moment.

"I let myself be influenced by the suggestions that the place gives me and I imagine special situations that could have happened in that space."
Derek Castiglioni

For each project I start from historical research which, however, I reinterpret in my own way.

Are there any architects or designers who inspire you?
I look from the designs of Mathieu Matégot to the more contemporary India Mahdavi.

And what about the places?
I am inspired by Los Angeles and its 50s architecture, but also by Vienna in the 30s. I love the romantic and melancholic spirit of gardens, for example colonial Indian gardens revisited with local essences.

"Mine is a fantastic garden, where I combine tropical plants with native plants for an exotic jungle effect."
Derek Castiglioni

It is interesting to see how plants react: they are born in one place and must remain in that place for their entire life, so they have an incredible capacity to adapt. They are special beings with whom you can interact, experiment.

Is there a turning point in your career?
It happened when I started doing installations with important architectural studios: this allowed me to understand that my work could be closely linked to the world of design and architectural planning.

How would you define your work?
There is no definition in Italian, I would not define him as a landscaper or an architect.

"Outdoor designer is perhaps the most appropriate expression."
Derek Castiglioni

Who are your customers?
Many companies, especially in the fashion sector such as Stella McCartney, Boglioli, Alexander McQueen and many foreign showrooms for which I have created installations. I work a lot in the United Arab Emirates, especially in Doha in Qatar, with private clients for gardens of residences and houses; while I work well in America for furniture design. Foreign clients give me more and more space and freedom of expression.

How did the furniture project come about?
It was an idea I had in mind for a long time, because I couldn't find outdoor furniture as I wanted. This is how my furniture brand was born, to offer special and unique objects on the market.

They are high-end furniture, which combine precious materials, I do a lot of research on fabrics to create new outdoor prints. The first release was a collaboration with Santoni, we did a presentation in Rome and Milan.

We are still at the beginning of the distribution, but we are aiming for an online sales network. I manage the design and production carried out by small and medium-sized artisans, with whom I follow the various stages of creation.

How much has Instagram influenced your work?
I think it is the most important and biggest showcase you can have in the world. Truly a revolutionary way to promote your work.

What is your talent?
Putting passion and believing strongly in what I do, always going my own way. Passion is as important as love: it always reaches people.

"It is essential to have your eyes open to the world, to understand what is happening without being static. The world runs and we must run with it, we must always be ready for change."
Derek Castiglioni

I had great examples in my family: my father was always in the office at 6:30 in the morning to start at 7. Discipline and consistency, dedication to what you do, being changeable in a positive sense: these are other important aspects.

The most important project you've done?
What I created in the United Arab Emirates, for which I have a confidentiality agreement, and which gave me the full possibility to express my creativity.

Your plans for the future?
Carry forward the furniture project which is still at the beginning and must be developed through a commercial network.

"The Talent of Mr." is a project by Paolo Pecora Milano that investigates, through a series of interviews, Italian talent at 360°.

We have selected different stories that represent the excellence of Italian craftsmanship: from communication to creativity, to architecture, to cinema and the world of food. To tell a lifestyle that is unique in the world. The project in collaboration with the curator and journalist Alessio de'Navasques, was born with the idea of ​​focusing on that ineffable element of Italian talent, difficult to define and describe, an expression of a DNA and a cultural background that is lost in time.