Orea Malià: crossroads of art, culture, and creativity

Bologna: the cradle of a creative dream

The story of Orea Malià is deeply intertwined with the city of Bologna, a city that has always stood out for its cultural soul and avant-garde spirit. If Bologna is the beating heart of a creative scene that ranges from art to music, Orea Malià has been one of its main protagonists. His birth in this city is not coincidental: Bologna, with its vitality and cultural ferment, was the ideal setting for a project that has been and is much more than a place where hair is taken care of.

The salon in Bologna was conceived as a space that goes beyond the traditional concept of a beauty salon. The furniture and design, meticulously curated, reflect the intention to create a welcoming and inspirational place. Marco Zanardi collaborated with architects and designers to bring to life an environment that was both functional and artistic, with a strong focus on the use of light, colors, and materials. Furthermore, over the years, the salon has stood out for the use of impactful graphics and visuals, the result of collaborations with talented artists and graphic designers who have contributed to making Orea Malià's visual identity unique.

Milan: international consecration

The Milan location represents the natural next step for a project that has made coolness and creativity its stylistic hallmark. In the heart of one of Europe's most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities, Orea Malià has managed to captivate a sophisticated and international audience. Milan, with its unbreakable bond with fashion and design, has offered Marco Zanardi and his team the opportunity to take their visionary approach to an even higher level.

Even in the Milanese space, every element is designed to communicate an innovative and bold vision, with a mix of industrial elements and artistic touches that create a unique atmosphere. The graphics, materials chosen, and temporary installations are part of a visual language that constantly evolves, reflecting the experimental nature of Orea Malià.

Marco Zanardi: the visionary behind Orea Malià

At the center of all this is Marco Zanardi, a charismatic and multifaceted figure who has been able to transform a simple idea into a cultural phenomenon. With a vision that goes far beyond the boundaries of his industry, Marco has created a place where beauty is expressed in all its forms, combining aesthetics, culture, and innovation.

His ability to anticipate trends and build connections has made him an iconic figure not only in the world of hair styling, but also in the realms of culture and art, both locally and nationally. In addition to leading the creative team, he has always placed great importance on collaborating with artists and designers, helping to define Orea Malià's visual identity through graphic and artistic projects that have made a lasting impact.

#1 answer 
Hello Marco, how did the idea of Orea Malià come about and what was the journey that led you to turn it into a cultural phenomenon?

Like all the best things, Orea Malià was born from the desire of three human beings who love each other very much: Romano Montanari, Alba Sarzola, and myself, who moved from Milan choosing Bologna to start this adventure. Reflecting on my journey, I believe it was the idea of the century, a path that I have been walking for over 40 years now and that is the result of much research towards the new and the unusual.
The mission I have always imposed on myself is to write new pages of my life, which is why every haircut of mine and also of my partners and collaborators, every makeup, color, but also every event and every choice we make, we try to turn it into a unique and unrepeatable story. A new narrative, in fact, each time is truly different and the response comes from the thousands of people who visit our stores, our "creative caves," and thus they become a cultural phenomenon. The latest of these adventures is U INVERSE, inside the space in Bologna. The works of two international artists will be exhibited: Chizu Kobayshi and Julia von Stietencron, on the occasion of Arte Fiera and Art City. The vernissage will be on Saturday, February 8th from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am.

#2 answer 
What are the main differences between the locations in Bologna and Milan and what role have these cities played in defining Orea Malià's identity?

Each Orea Malia’ space is conceived taking into account the cultural baggage of the group and its history. Our spaces reflect our visionary minds, three places that tell the future in everyday life, with innovative design. Three places, three different atmospheres.

#3 answer 
How was the architectural space of Orea Malià conceived and by whom was it designed?

Orea Malia’ in via Marghera in Milan is a 700 sqm loft, carved out from an ancient cemetery headstone warehouse, an incredible place full of creativity. Orea Malià in via Panfilo Castaldi in Porta Venezia on the border of Brera, the Artists' area, is instead an interior of what were once the ring houses, giving the space an unusual view of Milan's most walked street. Finally, the space in Bologna 200 sqm in via Ugo Bassi 15 on the street that sees the two towers of the city, is pure modernism from the Postmodern period and designed in 1978. Even today, it is the subject of great curiosity from designers, musicians, intellectuals, and various artists. All three spaces were conceived by the minds of those who manage them.

#4 answer 
Orea Malià's graphics and visuals have always been distinctive. What is the role of visual communication in your project?

All that concerns our communication has always been conceived under the sign of freedom. Graphics, t-shirts, gadgets, and stickers have always conveyed messages of hope, such as those against pollution or in having the courage to say no! We have always had the courage to take on uncomfortable paths, such as the fight against the killing of fur animals. We had already understood by the end of the 1970s that all it took was to create a beautiful image, make a sticker, so that young people would stick it on their scooters, giving us free advertising. 

#5 answer
Orea Malià has always been a meeting point for artists and creatives. I know that artists like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat have visited your shop, just to name a few. Tell us an anecdote that you remember and still moves you.

Francesca Alinovi was my client, the first Italian who daringly frequented the Bronx in New York when it was discouraged, she went there to find new talents to bring to Italy. It was there that she discovered a very young and unknown Keith Haring and thanks to Francesca, he arrived in Bologna in 1984 to participate in the exhibition Arte di Frontiera New York Graffiti. Alinovi brought him to the most innovative place in Bologna, Orea Malia', a place where not only hair was done but where you could listen to music, see artists at work while painting the walls, watch movies before they arrived in theaters, the first music videos, and read international newspapers. Keith fell in love with my space and for a week he frequented it, every day with him came Jean-Michel Basquiat and various young break dancers. In those years, you could hear a lot of that music from Orea... a week to remember!

#6 answer 
How did you manage to combine the identity of a beauty salon with that of a place dedicated to artistic creativity and the value associated with it?

I have succeeded in communicating beauty through every form of art, because I am in love with art in all its essence, all art: music, architecture, design, and my hands that dance through the hair right into the hearts of the people who choose me. For me, it is not difficult to make love by mixing my profession with my passions, for me, it is natural.

#7 answer 
We are almost at the end of the interview, in the editorial office we are all passionate about music and it is one of the artistic languages that we privilege, would you like to tell us about three tracks that you are particularly attached to? Thank you.

I must say that I love every genre of music, I was born first and foremost as a musician (here there would be a very long chapter to open), then as a DJ, one of the first in Italy right after the orchestras. Imagine that besides selling records during the day in the most important music store in Milan, I played records in three well-known discos in Milan: Nephenta, Set Club, and Rayto de Oro, a strip tease club.

You can imagine how much I love music too, however, the tracks I mention here are: Alva Noto by HYbr:ID Rehuman, Karin Nakagawa, Hans Tutzer & Paolino Dalla Porta (my guitarist in the 70s), I recommend the entire album Tamayura, Celeste - This Is Who I Am (From "The Day of the Jackal"), and Tu Si Na Cosa Grande (Simioli & Lisio Afro Mix).