Isabel Margalejo, jury member of the 16th GANDIABLASCO Contest

Hi Isabel, how are you? Thank you very much for being part of the jury for our contest. We look forward to seeing you soon at La Casa Gandia Blasco.

To briefly summarise your admirable professional career, you started as a fashion and architecture editor for prestigious publications such as Vogue, Telva, El Semanal, Woman, Casa & Campo, and Architectural Digest, and now you currently edit Arquitectura y Diseño, one of the most important magazines in the sector.

©Isabel Margalejo. Arquitectura y Diseño Magazine, November 2023

As a member of the jury, and given your extensive experience in the architecture and fashion sectors, we would like to know your opinion on this year’s theme: the design of upholstered outdoor furniture, a characteristic that has typically been associated with indoor furniture.

Isabel Margalejo interview

Arquitectura y Diseño

In your experience, how has your perception of interior and exterior design evolved over the course of your career?

I started my career in fashion, as an editor at Vogue, and spent 14 years in the industry. Towards the end of my time there, I also started writing about design. One thing I’m clear about (and I convey this in my classes at ETSAM, in the master’s degree, and in the Interior Design degree) is that fashion and design are two interconnected worlds; one influences the other, or both are influenced by larger trends.

Milan Design Week dossier. ©Arquitectura y Diseño Magazine 2024

This trend was similar to that of the 1980s, which saw the rise of the ‘Memphis style’ with its bright, often clashing colors, geometric shapes, and playful patterns. At the same time, there was a revival of Miami Deco, focused on restoring and preserving historic Art Deco buildings, known for their pastel colors, geometric shapes, and lavish ornamentation. Experience in one field makes it easier to identify trends in the other.

Covers designed by Isabel Margalejo. ©Arquitectura y Diseño Magazine

Speaking of outdoor trends, in the last few years, how has the design of outdoor furniture evolved?

We have shifted from very basic, simple, plain-coloured outdoor creations to sophisticated designs that could easily fit in any living room, with lacquered colours and fabrics in powerful tones. The boundaries between indoor and outdoor aesthetics have blurred, though materials remain a key factor.

In your experience, how can the design of upholstered outdoor furniture transform outdoor spaces?

Upholstered furniture makes spaces more pleasant and increases the time we want to spend on terraces or porches. It goes beyond those moderately comfortable sofas with wooden frames and cushions. Now, we have cozy and welcoming armchairs like those we use to watch TV. Investment in technology has made this leap possible, including nest-like or teepee designs that invite hedonism with a playful touch.

AD Awards. Designer of the year Jaime Hayón. ©AD Magazine (Architectural Digest Spain)

How do you think the integration of fashion elements can influence the design of outdoor furniture?

Fashion trends have influenced both outdoor and indoor designs. Currently, materials like ceramics, terracotta, earth tones, and cement are all the rage.

Hand-blown glass by Gordiola. ©Arquitectura y Diseño Magazine

Do you see any direct influence of fashion trends on furniture design? In terms of sustainability, what lessons can the furniture sector learn from the fashion world?

Although I stopped writing about fashion long ago, I believe furniture brands are ahead of fashion in terms of sustainability, mainly due to product longevity. The life of a T-shirt is short compared to that of a chair, even if both are designed for quick consumption. We often keep furniture longer than clothing, making more thoughtful and careful purchases.

“Design Academy” by Eindhoven / Trend in glass designs.
©Revista AD (Architectural Digest España)

Fashion and construction are two of the most polluting sectors in the world, but significant steps are being taken towards a more sustainable model. For instance, in design, Arquitectura y Diseño dedicates an annual issue to the planet. Many companies now use certified wood from reforested forests, offset their carbon footprint, use solar energy, and incorporate recycled materials. Brands that do not yet fully embrace sustainable design often produce their goods locally or in Europe, with some exceptions, demonstrating a genuine interest in moving towards sustainability.

Thank you very much!

Lázaro House. ©AD Magazine (Architectural Digest Spain)