In 2007 a handful of designers, thinkers and entrepreneurs created the International Design Awards to recognize and promote legendary design visionaries and to uncover emerging talent in Architecture, Interior, Product, Graphic, and Fashion Design. The International Design Awards (IDA) was a response to the lack of celebration for smart and sustainable multidisciplinary design.

Gwenael Nicolas, who recently designed the Dolce & Gabbana store in Japan, is the recent recipient of the award.

IDA honorary juries examined over 1000 entries from 52 countries and awarded Gwenael Nicolas’ firm Curiosity the Interior Design of the Year award for the Fendi store in Rome, Italy.

Palazzo Fendi is the luxury brand’s biggest flagship store. At the entrance there is a staircase in red marble connecting two floors, the open space and high ceilings are the heart of the building.

Gwenael Nicolas took inspiration from Italian renaissance architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola. Nicolas used traditional materials such as repurposed antique marble and unconventional luxury metals like silver to frame the mirrors and reclaimed stone retrofitted for the stairs.

The luxury interiors speak to Fendi’s Roman origins and the modernity of the brand. Each room inside the boutique features its own set of unique materials while maintaining cohesion.