THE THEORY OF: The beautiful and the useful

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


But what if that eye also needs arch support?

The theory of the beautiful and the useful is as old as time, and as confusing as dating someone who still owns slim jeans.

We looked in the mirror and asked ourselves…

Does something useful have to be beautiful?

Because let’s be honest, the useful can sometimes be… deeply unattractive.

Take some beings on this planet (you know the type) who buy practical shoes that protect their joints and posture.

Sensible. Sensible. Sensible business.

And then, there’s another species, say, the high-heeled, pain-tolerant variety, who would rather suffer blisters because yes, beauty hurts. And sometimes, let’s face it, it’s not even that beautiful. But as we say, taste is personal.


Let’s get back to business.


The beautiful. The useful.

Are they sworn enemies? Secret lovers? Or just two sides of the same (very well-designed) coin?

Let’s take a closer look,

Caste

Brutalist forms softened by something organic, almost primal.


These pieces don't ask for permission.

Promemoria

Italian craftsmanship that refuses to choose.


Every detail serves a purpose. Every purpose looks effortless.

Serafini


Minimal. Perfectly proportioned.


Not loud, not flashy, but absolutely essential.

Tuuci

Tuuci is a different story. Tuuci doesn’t apologize for beauty.

Sometimes a table doesn’t need to fold, spin, or transform into a bed.

So what do we really want?

Perhaps beauty isn’t a luxury.
Perhaps utility isn’t enough.

And perhaps, like a great date or a perfect pair of jeans, what we’re looking for is the thing that works and makes our heart skip.

Because yes, we can buy the functional, But deep down, we still dream in beauty.


Beautiful or useful?

Do we have to choose?

You have 4 hours.

COLLECTIONAL

BEAUTIFUL AND USEFUL

CATALOGUE SELECTION

By Sophia Kettani