Draga & Aurel’s new collection breathes new life into the art of blown glass

As a great admirer of contemporary design, it didn’t take long for the works of the now internationally renowned duo Draga & Aurel to catch my eye. This celebrated art studio, based in Como, Italy, was founded in 2007 as a collaboration between Draga Obradović and Aurel K. Basedow, artists with backgrounds in textile design and fine arts. Like many of my favorite designers, their work merges art, traditional craftsmanship, and contemporary design while playfully exploring contrasts in materials and color. What fascinates me most about them is the way they turn light into an essential element of design, creating striking furniture pieces and collectible objects.

Premiere at Dubai Design Week

This duo, who blur the boundaries between art, innovation, and design, has just unveiled a new collection — a perfect blend of craftsmanship, unexpected materials, and emotion. The collection premiered at Dubai Design Week, which runs until November 9, 2025, in collaboration with the local brand Collectional. Visitors have the chance to see pieces made from liquid resin and sea salt — creations that embody the brand’s core elements. The contrast between the raw, salt-treated concrete and the smooth transparency of resin captures the perfect balance between elegance and experimentation.

Rescue Me

The collection includes, for example, the Soffio lamp, a centerpiece made of transparent glass panels combined with spherical elements inspired by 1970s lighting. Depending on the angle of view, it functions as a luminous sculpture, with each of its imperfections reflecting the natural fluidity between material and design.

Soffio lampa

Among the standout pieces is the Stendhal table, inspired by architecture, with sculptural lines and a geometric structure that make it appear as an art object within the space.

Stendhal table

Alongside it, the Cava Coffee Table, Rescue Me cabinet, and other pieces were presented, reviving traditional blown-glass techniques, wavy forms, and elements reminiscent of “jewelry for the home”, a perfect blend of elegance, alchemy, and experimentation.

Lava coffee tables