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DESIGN DÉSIR CONCEPT STORE, BRASÍLIA

Design Désir invests in versatility by betting on new brands, artists, accessory lines, always based on the main line which focuses on original design pieces of 20th century furniture.

The selection brings together iconic pieces made mainly in Brazil and in different European countries, signed by well-known design names such as Sérgio Rodrigues, Oscar Niemeyer, Jorge Zalszupin, Geraldo de Barros and the internationals Charlotte Perriand, Mies van der Rohe, Gerrit Rietveld, Gaetano Sciolari, among many others.

In addition to the vintage collection, the store has curated contemporary works by emerging artists alongside other, no less interesting works by unknown authors - including contemporary design objects, works of art, photographs and decorative objects.

Eclecticism thus sets the tone for the collection gathered in a space of around 60m2, located in Lago Sul.

Embrace the past, respect the future

Sustainability and inclusion, alongside sophistication and refinement, are values that Design Désir is proud to share. It's no coincidence that it has adopted the motto "Embrace the past / Respect the Future". Respect for the environment, slowing down the pace of industrial production in favor of reusing pieces and valuing objects over time, are part of the project's maxims.

The use of artisan restorers and upholsterers signifies the revaluation of these professions, which are so important to the culture, art and memory of a people.

The selection is made directly by Helga Carvalho. The choice is related not only to the historical value of each object, but also to the aesthetic side.

"When selecting each piece, I like to know the story behind it, who created it. The heritage of each piece carries a lot of weight when it comes to my selection. But there are pieces from unknown origins that I'm not indifferent to either, they're the ones that I think are beautiful and therefore worth investing in," explains the project's creator.

Helga Carvalho, creator of Design Désir

The mentor and creator of the project is Portuguese businesswoman Helga Carvalho, a recent arrival in Brasília with a degree in fashion design and over 15 years' experience as a fashion editor in the European media. Interior design and architecture have always been her great passions.

Before arriving in Brazil, Helga lived in Brussels, Belgium, where she was delighted to find a wide range of furniture from different eras, especially from the second half of the 20th century.

This gave rise to the idea of setting up a physical store in Lisbon, the capital of her home country. However, with the pandemic, the idea was realized as an online gallery.

A year ago, Helga moved to Brasília with her family. She fell so in love with the city and the people that she realized that an online-only project wouldn't be enough. After all, contact with the public would make her business much more interesting.

Helga considers Brasilia, the world capital of modernism, to be the perfect place to establish herself, creating a meeting point between the product and a consumer who seeks to value the historical past and present of their city and country, thus developing a differentiated and sophisticated image.