About
Studiopepe, an architecture and design studio founded in 2006 in Milan, specializes in luxury retail, hospitality, residential spaces, product design and creative direction. Renowned for its sophisticated and eclectic design philosophy, the Studio adopts a visionary and multidisciplinary approach in all of its projects.
These include grand-scale creations in the fields of retail and hospitality, the design of showrooms, boutiques, and fair booths, the study of interiors for private homes, and last but not least, product design. Copious allusions and startling associations characterize the Studio’s signature style, which honors each client’s individuality while lending uniqueness to projects. Marked by an emotional and aesthetic impact that rests on an ideal balance between formal rigor and poetic vision, the Studio’s endeavors pursue an unrelenting quest for contamination – a veritable cross-pollination – between contemporary languages and codes. In the Studio’s work, the unexpected is a constant: the material interplay becomes daring, fields of color express the essence of space, and details transcend the realm of pure ornamentation to weave delicate narrative threads. Since 2018, the Studio has been featured in AD100 among the 100 Relevant Designers of the year.
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Established by Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto, Studiopepe made its debut in the world of Product and Interior Design, as well as Creative Consultancy, in 2006, experimenting with new forms of aesthetic and design language.
In 2007, with a cover story for T Magazine, the Studio consolidated its standing as a global benchmark – a point of reference – in the field of creative direction for photo shoots intended for editorial publications, catalogs, and advertising campaigns. This development led to the establishment of the Creative & Image Consultancy division, a design area dedicated to Brand Design, Window Design, and Interior Design for showrooms and events in collaboration with selected global brands.
In 2010, alongside Product Design, Studiopepe initiated its Design Division, which focuses on research, special projects, and collaborations with international galleries. In the same year, the Studio began working on Retail Design for the Max Mara Group, with further international collaborations ensuing.
In 2015, the Studio exhibited its first research project, Ossimori, at the Fragile Gallery in Milan. A portion of the collection was later presented at the Chamber Gallery in New York City as part of the Human-Nature exhibition and at the Triennale di Milano within the W: Women in Italian Design exhibition.
In 2016, Studiopepe’s work was featured in the book The Chamber of Curiosity published by Gestalten, which selects and compiles the best examples of Interior Design on the international stage.
In 2017, during Milan Design Week, Studiopepe unveiled its first Manifesto Project: THE VISIT, the restoration of an apartment in the heart of Brera where the interiors were completely reimagined as an exploration of the concept of hospitality.
In 2018, once again in conjunction with Milan Design Week, Studiopepe opened the doors to CLUB UNSEEN, their second Manifesto Project: a secret lounge with live music and an iconic performative bar that went on to win the Frame Design Awards in the Best Bar category in 2019.
In 2019, the Okko group commissioned Studiopepe to design their new hotel within the Gare de l’Est in Paris. During the same year, the Studio presented its third Manifesto Project, titled Les Arcanistes, a two-story industrial space envisioned as an exploration of the importance of matter viewed as the starting point of the creative process across diverse mediums.
In 2020, with DE_SIDERIO, Studiopepe transformed the Salone del Mobile event (which was suspended that year) into an opportunity to explore the connection between design narrative and digital communication, using the language of video art. The short film was later selected for inclusion in the 2021 edition of the Design Film Festival.
In 2021, the Studio initiated an ongoing collaboration with Galerie Philia in Paris. In 2022, Studiopepe had an artist residency at Numeroventi in Florence, a dialogue that began with participation in the Out of the Blue project. Designs developed during the residency were showcased in a dedicated exhibition.
“ Style is not a concept related to form. For us, style is a precise attitude to design, an attention to the material, to the harmony of the elements that compose it and to the environment. It is the translation of a vision that has been enriched over the years through the study of the great masters. ”
Arianna Lelli Mami
Arianna Lelli Mami, co-founder of Studiopepe, holds a Design degree from the Faculty of Architecture at the Polytechnic of Milan. Having studied in both Milan and London, ever fascinated by the multifarious ways people inhabit spaces, and taking inspiration from art installations and architecture from the past, Arianna approaches design from a perspective free from rigid rules and predefined frameworks, leading her to create stratified and personality-rich environments. A licensed journalist since 2006, she is also passionate about photography, collages and collecting found items, which she then re-explores and repurposes as an inspiration for her plastic research. In her design practice, she is engaged in a continuous dialogue with the disciplines that hold her interest: writing, analog photography, collage, ceramic and gouache drawing. In particular, she has been invested in the personal study of artistic ceramic for a long time, this discipline allows her to bridge the gap between her private and professional practice. She personally creates clay study models originating from her freehand research on materials and decoration, a pursuit that gives rise to several studio projects.
Chiara Di Pinto
Chiara Di Pinto, co-founder of Studiopepe, holds a Design degree from the Faculty of Architecture at the Polytechnic of Milan. In 1996, Chiara began collaborating as an interior stylist and journalist for many Italian and international magazines as a contributing design editor. Trained academically in the theory and practice of fine art, she has developed a strong interest in materials, shapes, and colors, a multidisciplinary perspective, and a proclivity for hands-on creation, adopting a distinctive artisanal yet boundless approach in her work. Endowed with an innate love of research, she has recently been delving into astrology as a discipline that studies both time and archetypes, a passion she translates into interactions between design and the expression of symbols found in all cultures. She is dedicated to traveling as a tool of discovery and a means of connecting seemingly distant points. She is convinced that creativity represents the free flow of ideas and intuitions and that music and dance serve as downright redemptive tools.
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Work with us
Alcantara, Agape, Alysi, Alimonti Milano, Archiproducts, Arper, Avart, Baxter, Bloc Studios, Cafezal, cc-tapis, Ceramica Bardelli, Cesar, Coutume Studio,
De Padova, Door La Repubblica, Élitis, Elle Decor, Ethimo, Fendi Casa,
Fritz Hansen, Gallotti&Radice, Hermès, Kadewe, Kvadrat, Rinascente, Luceplan, MAX&Co., Max Mara, Menu, Mohd, Muuto, OKKO Hotels, Petite Friture,
Pitti Immagine, Pretziada, Sancal, Santoni, Spotti Milano, Tacchini Italia,
The Design Museum London, T Magazine, Tod’s, TOOY, Visionnaire, Wall&Decò, Wallpaper, &Tradition, Vogue
Galerie Philia, NY, Mexico City
BOON Gallery, Paris
Il·lacions, Barcelona
Matter Gallery, NY
The Modernista Armchair blends sculptural grace with the essence of modernist design. Its precisely crafted stainless steel frame supports generous cushions that harmonize strength with softness. Every curve reflects expert craftsmanship, resulting in a piece where form and function meet in enduring style.
Dream Catcher is a suspension lamp inspired by Calder’s mobiles, harmonizing light and handmade glass transparency in a delicate and ephemeral movement. Dream Catcher plays with reflection and rhythm — where light passes through soft glass and bounces from mirrored surfaces. A mobile shaped by air and angles. From every angle, something new.
Under the slogan “Design that connects”, the 11th edition of the Interior Awards has recognised creativity that makes an impact, brings disciplines together and builds lasting experiences.
“Leading exponents of contemporary Italian design, we owe a great deal to Studiopepe for being one of the studios that has influenced the development of ROOM. The Milanese duo, formed by Ariana Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto, has taught us how simple shapes, colour, texture and craftsmanship are not at odds with sophistication, sustainability and good design. And it is this strong creative identity that has earned them this recognition as International Award winners.” – ROOM
“Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto can charge rooms with stories that often give the impression of telling tales from the 70s and 80s. The Milanese design poets have a particular soft spot for objects trouvés- everyday objects that mutate into works of art in their interiors.” – AD
H2O is a dining chair with rounded shapes and a distinctive hole in the backrest, which combined with the graphic design of an H created by the lines of the seat and armrests, reveal the name of the project.
Interconnection, dialogue and desire, these are the key words to present the new Sofa Simposio.
Periscopio is a seating collection, declined in armchair, chaise longue and modular sofa that echoes the unique and visionary design of the 1970s.
2023 Archiproducts Design Awards, an edition in which Studiopepe won other six awards for their designs:
Shibari x Visionnaire
Pleiadi x Gallotti&Radice
Fukuro wallpaper x Wall&Decò
City table x Monitillo1980
Grand Hotel x Besana
Bold coffee table x Sancal
Shibari is the art of binding the subject of one’s desire as extreme form of eroticism and beauty. In these times we are interested in reflecting on issues such as desire and possession.
Pleiadi is a decorative tile, environmentally friendly and sustainable, offering a new life and functionality to what is generally considered waste from cotton production.
This collection comes from the study of Japanese folding techniques. This wallpaper collections, over the years, further explore the universe of paper through the use of basreliefs, inlays, and carvings.
The collection for Monitillo1980 is inspired by our idea of a city, an Italian city with travertine buildings, monumental and elegant. The City table sums up these characteristics . Imposing but at the same time light , thanks to the optical play of the rotated legs.
Besana carpet company asked Studiopepe a new collection of carper floors. Starting from a study of the coverings of the great hotels of the past, the Studio conceived the Grand Hotel collection.
A sculptural piece that pays homage to the charismatic and casual Memphis style. Its top is characterized by an oversized profile and irregular outline, while three basic geometries (rectangle, circle and triangle) emerge from it, creating a dynamic, visual game as each of them reaches a different level.
AD100: Studiopepe is a name to keep an eye on in 2023 – the Milan-based duo is one of the 100 best designers and creatives in interior design, architecture and design, as selected by AD.
Through careful observation of triangle, signficant geometric shape, the Stick project was born, composed of a family of lamps featuring various configurations of the same triangular base module.
Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto founded Studiopepe in Milan in 2006, shortly after graduating from the Politecnico di Milano. Over the years, they have made a name for themselves as stylists, designers and interior designers all over the world thanks to their often surreal and dreamlike aesthetic. Their exhibitions at Milan Design Week are a must-see. Among the many brands they design for are Tacchini, Bloc Studios, Baxter and cc-tapis. They combine industrial design with limited edition pieces. As interior designers, they have designed, among others, the Okko Hotel in Paris and a floor of the La Rinascente department store in Milan.
Precious coffee tables with fused glass top and monolithic body in Bianco Gioia or Rosso Lepanto marble. The overhanging glass top is inserted edgewise into the base.
The Sling chair is a seat designed to enjoy outdoor environments but also perfect for indoors with a free and ‘holiday’ spirit. The selected color palette allows you to play with the coverings and adapt the armchair to informal environments both indoors and outdoors.
Dreamers, doers, icons. 100 most important creative minds of 2021 shaping the present and giving us a glimpse of tomorrow’s world today.
The Five to Nine daybed draws inspiration from 1900s scenic designs that portrayed a place for creative escape – a space as physical as it was mental – the studios of the great artists.
Lazybones is a sculptural chair with archetypal shapes, characterized by three oversized, solid and imposing legs.
Studiopepe, having taken over an expansive industrial site – formerly a gold manufacturing facility dating back to the 1900s – envisioned a journey through design pieces, bespoke items, vintage collectibles, and artworks that unfolded in installation rooms, wherein the connection between matter, archetypes, and the power of symbols was explored through the very study of “Arcana” and of the work of “Arcanists”.
Contemporaneity and memory, sartorial craftsmanship and virtual reality, public and private – these antithetical realities organically overlapped in Club Unseen, the Manifesto conceived for Milan Design Week 2018.
The collection draws inspiration from archetypal graphic elements such as the numerical grid of the “quadrato magico”. A series of wallhangings complete the collection, reinterpreting the carpet as a sculptural and decorative object with a strong symbolic value, where the use of color becomes an element of contemporary rupture.
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