Mike Ratledge Vase by Dario Nasuti

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Description

The Mike Ratledge vase is the first piece in a sculptural series that merges high-fashion architecture with the experimental spirit … Read more The Mike Ratledge vase is the first piece in a sculptural series that merges high-fashion architecture with the experimental spirit of progressive music. Its genesis dates back to 2001, when designer Dario Nasuti collaborated on the relaunch of the legendary Roberto Capucci brand into prêt-à-porter, alongside avant-garde designer Bernhard Willhelm. from that experience, the "box-construction" concept was born: three-dimensional garments and structures that ignore body lines to create pure, architectural volumes.

The Genesis: A Vision Preserved
Inspired by these textile geometries, Nasuti created the first prototypes of the vases using the rigid cardboard typically used for fashion patterns. To solidify these ephemeral forms, he used spatula-applied silicone to strengthen the joints and finished them with industrial paints. After preserving these prototypes in his private home for over twenty years, the designer decided to translate that vision into the permanence of steel, faithfully replicating the complexity of the original folds and volumes.

Inspiration: The Canterbury Scene
Each vase in the collection is dedicated to a key figure from the Canterbury Scene, the English progressive rock movement known for its intellectual sophistication and non-linear structures. The "Mike Ratledge" vase (founder of Soft Machine) reflects exactly this: a complex geometry where every face reveals a new plane, much like the musical layering of Ratledge’s keyboards.

Artisanal Craftsmanship & Materials

Technique: Each piece is entirely handcrafted in the mechanical district of Parma, Italy. The steel is expertly folded and welded to recreate the "box" effect.

"Silk" Finish: The vase is finished through a bead-blasting (micro-pallinatura) process, giving the metal a matte, silk-like technical texture that eliminates reflections and highlights the 3D silhouette. See less