One Day : Alejandro Martinez - Co founder of NIMU
Location : Rome, Italy
Profession / passion : Co Founder of NIMU / Landscape Architect
Website : www.nimuroma.com
Instagram : @nimuroma
One Day is an ongoing project sparked by the Covid-19. In the days of isolation we would like to focus on what we do best; bringing people together. Read more about the project here.
We will be posting one new day of someones life every day until we run out of contributors. See our instagram stories to experience these peoples One Day in action.
A text, song or film that everyone should experience.
La grande bellezza or Youth. I am a big fan of Paolo Sorrentino, he is a genius, a painter of Italian beauty and decadence.
In terms of music, especially during these quiet times, I am more into classical music. I think Händel has incredibly beautiful arias, but I could not choose just one, maybe Giulio Cesare has several of my favourites.
Also, Mafalda and Tamino are singers I really love to listen to.
What is the story behind your profession/ passion?
I am an architect, specialized in landscape, but always had an eye for home products and fabrics.
After working in architecture and hotel design, I decided that I needed to create something by myself.
Looking around me, I found it difficult to find sober and quality home textile products. Either I found cheap textiles, too flashy items in term of branding and color and only found a handful of high-end brands but often too highly priced and less accessible. I wanted to have excellent products to live with every day, to take time for our wellbeing and treat our spaces as we treat ourselves.
I really dislike the idea of having a beautiful home with horrible towels or robes hanging in the bathroom. Going to the beach and looking around I also realized that nobody really seemed to care about having a beautiful beach towel that is light and functional at the same time, or maybe there were none out there.
Also, it seemed many people own multiple high-end fashion accessories but then seem to not pay enough attention to their daily home basics. I wanted to change this, reason why I created NIMU, focusing on creating sober quality products.
How do you want people to react to your work / passion?
I am so happy when a customer writes us saying he/she is in love with the product and is using it every day. This is exactly what I thrive for, making people realize how quality fabrics can actually make a difference in your day to day wellbeing.
If you work with a partner, when and how did you meet?
I met my business partner Fabien when he was working for Louis Vuitton in Madrid 6 years ago. Soon later he started to work for GUCCI in Hong Kong and we have been managing both, our careers as well as expanding our brand in Europe and Asia.
What is the most inspiring text you read recently?
I love Art books. I have been recently reading a book about the The Floors of Venice (by Tudy Sammartini), I find them extremely elegant and a great inspiration for our beach towel patterns. It is a city I am so passionate about! This book is also a reminder that in Venice architecture can be also observed by just looking down your feet.
Of the same topic, I also strongly recommend “Elements of Venice”, a different approach to Venetian architecture by Giulia Foscari and Rem Koolhas
Define what beauty means to you.
Beauty for me is peace of mind. Some people or cultures find it in symmetry and order, others in explosion of color and richness of patterns.
For me is a very Japanese approach, I love sober environments with very well curated pieces that bring some happiness to your life or have special significance to you.
Function or form?
Form must always follow function. In fact, NIMU core values are inspired by the Roman architect Vitruvius and his book “De Architectura”. His Triad – FIRMITAS, UTILITAS, VENUSTAS (Stability, Utility, Beauty) is behind every product we design.
Describe a smell that brings back memories to you.
I think my grandma´s face tonic, Acqua alle Rose. It transports me to childhood in just a second.
Your most treasured possession?
My paintings. I love art, and it gives me peace of mind and pleasure to contemplate them. It makes me think about the transience of life, so I can relativize things on a daily basis.
When was the last time you learned something new and what was it?
I learn something new every single day. From new treatments for fabrics, to a new recipe in the kitchen or a new artist to be fascinated about. Life is a work-in progress process.
Have you actively chosen to live in the city/town you live in?
I have lived in a few different countries so far (Spain, Italy, Germany and Hong Kong).
Sometimes life takes you wherever it wants you to. I love to take that chance and learn about different cultures in all aspects, from culinary to textiles, from art to sociology, it is part of who I am and I´m thankful for such an incredible opportunity.
I am now based in Milan and really love the size of the city with its green inner courtyards. It has a great quality of life and a blooming vibe. A very different lifestyle coming back from busy Hong Kong after 5 years.
Lastly, how do wish to see this current situation have a positive impact on our lives?
I believe we will be paying more attention to the little details in life, which are actually those who make a well lived one, specially the non-materialistic things. Hopefully it will also have an impact on consumption behavior, reducing the strike on the environment, and improving happiness. Less is more.