Berlin/Hamburg, March 19, 2010 – Eco-fashion – if this terms evokes images of wide-eyed muesli-freaks in self-knit outfits, a brand-new Hamburg store will stamp out any remaining prejudices once and for all: Owners Insa Riske and Mechthild Schilmöller commissioned the Berlin-based trio KINZO with their resolutely futuristic design for their first fashion boutique MAYGREEN, which opened on March 4 in the classy Hamburg neighbourhood of Ottensen, Große Rainstraße 17. KINZO’s CEOs Karim El-Ishmawi, Chris Middleton and Martin Jacobs applied their crystalline signature style, inspired by stealth bombers and 80’s science-fiction movies, to eco-fashion retail: Instead of hiding the cables of the light installation behind a drywall ceiling, KINZO displays them openly to create a “computer chip” pattern that lures the visitor into the centre of the store. The ceiling-mounted lamps were also designed by KINZO and specially manufactured for this project by idee.design.licht., a German specialist in bespoke lighting solutions.

The image of a grasshopper, solely composed of green light, adorns the back wall of the store. Selected fashion items are presented on top of low, polygonal platforms that seem to float on the dark oak floor like icebergs. To create the grasshopper KINZO specially commissioned a software to convert the greyscale of a picture into a pattern of holes, that were laser-cut into an metal sheet. The grasshopper’s delicate legs and antennae are echoed by the open cabling and green light installation. “We covered all cables with green nylon mesh and fixed them on the ceiling to resemble the graphic pattern of a circuit board or computer chip”, says Karim El-Ishmawi. “Instead of hiding the cables we used them as an eye-catching design element. This effect is enhanced by the shop’s otherwise muted colour scheme.” Every single cable ends at a pendant or mounted light, some of which were individually designed and manufactured for MAYGREEN.

Karim El-Ishmawi: “We already cooperated with idee.design.licht. during the development of our Airflite-pendant light and we were extremely satisfied with the result. The product developers and technical managers at idee.design.licht. are very open-minded and flexible; they always have a solution and are never deterred by extravagant design ideas, challenging budgets or hair-raising deadlines.” The cylindrical lights of idee.design.licht. support the MAYGREEN philosophy with their sustainable design, excellent light quality and low energy consumption. The reflector lights can be directed to illuminate the collection or the entire room. The special UV block of the lamp prevents the bleaching of textile materials.

Since 2005 idee.design.licht., based in Limbach-Oberfrohna near Chemnitz, Germany, has been successfully developing, manufacturing and distributing sophisticated lights and lighting systems for offices and objects as well as for private environments. The outstanding strength of idee.design.licht. lies in its flexibility to implement individual lighting solutions in a short time and with outstanding lighting quality and technical precision.

About KINZO
Founded in 1998 as a label for film, design, architecture, brand and event projects, KINZO has become internationally established for its unmistakable style and grown to be one of the ambassadors of Berlin design avant-garde. Starting from interior projects for shops, lofts and offices, fairs and exhibitions as well as design for events and film sets, the three architects and founders of the company Karim El-Ishmawi, Chris Middleton and Martin Jacobs have become famous for their distinctive, sport and science-fiction inspired elegance. In 2008, KINZO successfully ventured into product design: Its office furniture programme KINZO AIR was awarded the red dot design award and nominated for the 2009 German State Design Price. KINZO AIR is manufactured and distributed by bau+art, Berlin. More information on KINZO can be found at www.kinzo-berlin.de

About idee.design.licht.
idee.design.licht. in Limbach-Oberfrohna near Chemnitz, Germany, develops, manufactures and distributes sophisticated lighting-fixtures and systems for offices and objects as well as private environments. idee.design.licht. combines discerning, award-winning design with ultimate flexibility: The company enjoys a distinctive reputation among architects, planners, designers within the trade for its ability to realise individual lighting solutions, one-offs and customer designs in a short time and with outstanding lighting quality and technical precision. Based on state-of-the-art 3D programmes the lighting effects of single lighting fixtures and light systems can be simulated; a team of creative specialists works by hand and with the help of CNC-controlled machines to create models, individual items, small and big batch productions precisely according to customer request. Since 2006 the executive director Sven Rabe has led the team of idee.design.licht. More information on idee.design.licht can be found at www.idee-design-licht.de