The Squid stories: Salone di Mobile favorites part II-a life inspiration story

©Pressfile Bokja

A fix stop in Milan is always the excentric shop/gallery of Miss Rossana Orlandi. Never boring, always inspiring and always one of the hot meeting points in the city parcours. Entering the first room at Rosanna's place, I was caught by a beautiful, nostalgic collection of furniture made of vintage fabrics and embroidered motifs with a contemporary nomad design feel. This collection showed in Milan this year was called
'The Migration Stories' I met the ladies behind this fantastic poetic collection from the Beirut-based Studio Bokja Design. Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri, founders of Bokja, were no trained designers but found each other in their mutual love for collecting things. (I know that feeling). They all ready work together for 13 years and are being picked up by the international press with this high-concept collection that explores the designer's thoughts on migration and travel I started talking with Nada Haddad, marketing lady of the label and most charming. The eye-catcher was the 'Migration Sofa', ready packed to start traveling, at least so it seemed. A pile of rolled up blankets, rugs and bedcovers professionally attached to the back of the sofa. A suitcase that becomes a drawer is mounted in the front.It looked like real nomads had packed all their belongings, ready to leave for good. This sofa tries to tell you her story. It has it's own passport testifying about the journey it has taken all ready. This 'Migration' collection is a reflection on the impacts of emotions like pain, fear, war, instability but also friendship, and love have on people. Bokja captures the tremendous and fundamental human experience of leaving your home, packing all your belongings and try to take all valuable memories with you. All the used textiles are these memories, and by giving them a new meaning and function, they become a new home. http://bokja.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/migration-stories/