About
Introducing Design 55
Auckland art dealer Gary Langsford and partner Vicki Vuleta have set up a new design store on the ground level of a newly converted warehouse at 55 Upper Queen Street, Auckland. With one off pieces and a selection of limited edition designs, Design 55 offers discerning individuals an opportunity to acquire some of the most innovative vintage and contemporary designer furniture and objects from around the globe.
Unique signature pieces.
From the outset, Langsford and Vuleta had a very clear vision of what they wanted to achieve. Their objective was to pick up unique and signature pieces that can assist people to personalise their homes. Ever the entrepreneur, Langsford maintains that he saw a huge gap in the market. "People who are interested in design want to be able to buy pieces that nobody else has, and there really isn't anyone doing that in New Zealand".
With over twenty years experience in the art and antique collecting business, Langsford together with Vuleta, also a long time design afficionado, set off on a buying trip throughout France and Italy in 2005. The end result of that trip can now be seen in the eclectic mix of items at 55 Upper Queen Street.
Rare vintage pieces combine with avant-garde contemporary
Complementing the rare vintage finds is an assortment of exquisite avant-garde contemporary furniture and objets d'art many of which are signed and editioned by the designers and come with certificates of authenticity. Among the collection, a "Bocca" red lip sofa and a limited edition white cactus by Gufram, Italy, custom made lamps by Committee, London, exquisite pure pigment and gold leaf tables by Yves Klein, Paris, limited edition hand-tufted rugs by Floor to Heaven, Cologne, sumptuous skull candles and gothic inspired ceramics by DL&Co., LA, and zany chairs constructed from soft toys by the ingenious Campana Brothers, South America.
To ensure that these pieces remain relatively exclusive for their clients, Design 55 have secured the sole agency for most of these items in New Zealand. Langsford is also interested in the cross-over between art and design and is keen to cultivate commissions for one-off or limited edition pieces by New Zealand artists.