Issue 115 | August 2018 | 15Michael
Pedretti.Scan Magazine | Design Profile | NuncWeb: http://www.nunclife.com
Facebook: @nunclife
Instagram: nunclifeMaking connections
Pedretti, who describes himself as “very
Italian” but lives in Sweden, cautiously
mentioned the idea to a few old Italian
friends and newer acquaintances in
Stockholm. “It opened up a lot of surpris-
ingly deep discussions about life and sat-
isfaction and what we wanted out of our
existence,” he recalls. As it happened,
everything came together perfectly, with
each person he talked to having skills
and ideas that added to the product and
philosophical concept behind Nunc. “It
shows the cool coincidences and con-
nections you can find when you dare to
put yourself and your ideas out there,”
Pedretti muses. “My old school mate
Andrea and I used to be these teenage
philosophers, pondering all the big ques-
tions. It was something that had since
been suppressed through years of the
daily grind, but this idea re-awakened
that passionate, inquisitive side of us.”
Andrea, an architect, came up with the
design and the many symbols incor-
porated in it during one enthusiastic
all-nighter. Swedish Johanna only met
Pedretti at the Copenhagen confer-
ence, but backed the idea immediately.
She thought up the name Nunc, Latin
for ‘now’, on the spot. “I think I’m most
proud of what the six of us — Emmet,
Matteo, Ricardo, Johanna, Andrea and
I — have managed to do together, and
how we’ve all become more positive,
thoughtful and conscientious through
making these Nunc armbands.”Coming full circle
The team knew that in order for Nunc
to make sense, the pieces would need
to be produced in line with the theory.
“The whole concept would be hollow if
we cheated or skimped on anything in
the production process,” Pedretti points
out. The Nunc Italians needed to look
no further than the northern Italy from
their childhood, where they patiently
sought out independent, sustainable
workshops. Smith Oliviero from Valle
Trompia, an area known for its metal
work since Roman times, produces the
finest stainless steel for Nunc, while
Bologna sculptors Andrea and Daniele
set about carving some of the thinnestCarrara and Marquina marble pieces in
existence.The same quality and care go into the
packaging. “We were very lucky to find
Tarcisio’s workshop tucked away in the
mountains. He carves beautiful wooden
boxes that can be reused as plant pots.”Each piece of wood and marble used is
lively and unique, making every Nunc an
individual work of art from start to fin-
ish. Nunc already resonates with many
people — the armbands have been nom-
inated for this year’s prestigious Precious
Fair award and, this summer, Nunc will
expand from their web shop and begin
selling at The Lobby in Stockholm. “It’s
fantastic that it’s going well,” Pedretti en-
thuses, “but our ultimate success crite-
rion is passing a Nunc-wearing stranger
on the street and knowing that they too
appreciate this philosophy.”