Unplugging Elegance: Gabriel Chiave's Nomadic Rebirth of Baccarat’s Zénith

April 25, 2026

Tagged with:About Baccarat

The Zénith Nomade collection, designed by Controvento for Baccarat, is a bold reimagining of the brand’s most iconic 19th-century chandelier.

Gabriele Chiave's Global Soul of Design

Gabriele Chiave is a designer whose work is defined by a global perspective. Born to diplomat parents, his multicultural upbringing spanned cities like Dakar, Caracas, and Buenos Aires before he pursued formal studies in Industrial Design at IED Milan. For fifteen years, Chiave served as the Creative Director at the renowned Marcel Wanders Studio in Amsterdam, where he oversaw iconic projects for elite brands such as Alessi, Kartell, and Louis Vuitton.

(Image source: Controvento)

Controvento - Embracing Diversity

Controvento, the multidisciplinary studio founded by Chiave and Verdiana Vannini, represents a 'distributed reality' in modern design. With its name literally meaning 'against the wind', the collective embraces a nomadic and cosmopolitan spirit, connecting talented professionals from Milan, Amsterdam, and New York. Controvento operates on the belief that geography should not be an obstacle but a strength, allowing the studio to assemble bespoke teams for each project.

Zénith Nomade collection - Controvento x Baccarat

The Zénith Nomade collection, designed by Controvento for Baccarat, is a bold reimagining of the brand’s most iconic 19th-century chandelier. By stripping away the traditional constraints of fixed wiring, the collection introduces the first cordless, autonomous, and rechargeable crystal chandeliers. This transformation was driven by Chiave’s vision to 'take the chandelier down from the ceiling and hang it on a tree branch', effectively turning a static symbol of opulence into a mobile work of art. The collection maintains the hallmark DNA of the original Zénith, including its octagons, prisms, and the signature red pendant.

(Image source: Controvento)

Functionality and modularity are at the core of Zénith Nomade’s design. The collection includes chandeliers in six- and eight-light sizes, alongside a two-light lamp, all of which utilize an ingenious system of interchangeable bases and dimmable LED features. This allows a single piece to be transformed from a suspended chandelier into a floor lamp or a table centrepiece with ease, adapting to any environment whether it is an intimate indoor dinner or an outdoor gathering under the stars.

Ultimately, the Zénith Nomade collection serves as a bridge between Baccarat’s storied heritage and the future of luxury living. By overcoming the challenge of making heavy, delicate crystal portable, Controvento has successfully democratized the dazzling brilliance of the Zénith, making it accessible in spaces where traditional lighting would be impossible. The collection does not merely provide illumination; it invites surprise and wonder into everyday life.