Matteo Ercole | GIZMODO.cz

While the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics are currently being shifted to 2021, the games of the subsequent years are still on track, with Milan successfully bidding to host the 2026 winter games. Amidst this news, Italian designer Matteo Ercole decided to envision what the torch for the Milan Winter Olympics for 2026 would (or rather should) look like.

Ercole’s rendition of the Olympic Torch captures the true essence of Milan’s heritage and culture. Inspired by the spires of the Milan Duomo, the torch uses an inverted conical design, taking the cathedral’s intricate details and modernizing them. The modern interpretation retains the true essence of heritage Milanese architecture, while having the modern appeal of the works of architects like Stefano Boeri, who’s vertical forest also represents an iconic figure in Milan’s skyline. This fusion of styles is perhaps the perfect representation of Milan, merging the city’s rich heritage with its vibrant and colorful modern life. The top of the torch even comes with a red-colored cross, representing Milan’s flag… allowing it to act as the surface on which the ceremonial and symbolic fire burns.

Designer: Matteo Ercole

Rather sardonically titled “Not Just Another Black Pencil”, Matteo Ercole’s pencil design is everything a stationery-lover wants. Bringing an avant-garde design to mechanical lead pencils, Ercole’s concept is as luxurious and desirable as most state-of-the-art collector-edition fountain pens are. With a thick, robust metal body, complete with an anodized finish and a matching-tone speckle (just like you’d see in professional camera bodies), Not Just Another Black Pencil is a delight to look at, as the light gently bounces off its satin-finish body, and I imagine it’s a pleasure to grip too, with the cold metal feeling just great against your fingertips.

The pencil comes with a standard 3.15mm lead inside it, secured with a rose-gold crown that rotates to tighten or loosen its grip on the lead. The lead exits the metal body early, and is then held in place with an additional metal clip, giving the pen its unique silhouette, while creating that bit of intrigue and reveal that makes you absolutely fall in love with this incredibly alluring piece of stationery!

Designer: Matteo Ercole