Gloria Cortina - Mexico

Designed in London by the studio Aloof Design to the highest production standards, this huge, lavishly illustrated slipcased volume is the first survey of the work of Gloria Cortina, Mexico's most renowned interior designer. 'If I can contribute something beautiful in my designs that relates to my Mexico, that the world can see, I'm going to do it because it's in my DNA,' says Cortina. Her compositions arise from a strong, deeply rooted commitment to the history, physical beauty and craft-skills of Mexico in ways that create meaningful connections between history and modernity. This commitment is equally evident in the design of her collectable GC Ediciones furniture, which has also been successfully exhibited internationally. There is no look-at-me-but-don't-touch about Cortina's designs: they are the antithesis of bling. The moment you sit in one of her chairs, or run your palm across one of her handcrafted table-tops, or walk across a hand-loomed rug, you feel at home. Her work carries an immediate sense of tactile, visual and spatial invitation - and so does this beautiful, covetable book.