The category of horse saddle design just got more unique because of this collaboration between Sicilian designer Matteo Guarnaccia and 13 Kazakh artisans who he found with the help of local designer Zhanna Ee and local curator Vlad Sludskiy. The partnership is part of Guarnaccia's 'Cross Cultural Chairs' project.
The horse saddle designs take cues from "traditional nomadic culture" and as such, "celebrated the traditional nomadic way of life that historically characterized Kazakhstan." Different materials and techniques were employed for the creation of the horse saddles. One group, which Guarnaccia was part of, produced a birch wood saddle as a way of exploring alternative materials. Another group delivered a saddle with stretched leather and pillowy foam to prioritize the horse's comfort.
Kazakhstan-Informed Saddles
Matteo Guarnaccia Partners with Artisans on These Horse Saddle Designs
Trend Themes
1. Nomadic Culture Influence - Incorporate elements of traditional nomadic culture in product design, bringing a unique and specialized touch to the industry.
2. Exploring Alternative Materials - Experiment with alternative materials to create unique and sustainable products that stand out in the market.
3. Animal Comfort - Prioritize animal comfort in product design to appeal to conscientious consumers and attract pet lovers.
Industry Implications
1. Equestrian - Innovate in equestrian products by combining traditional and modern techniques, materials and designs.
2. Furniture Design - Fuse traditional elements of diverse cultures into furniture design to differentiate and market the products accordingly.
3. Fashion - Influence fashion design by using sustainable materials for luxury fashion articles.