GENERATION NEXT
Introducing the future of local Australian design and craftsmanship in partnership with Lexus Next.
Introducing the future of local Australian design and craftsmanship in partnership with Lexus Next. Ten designers meet up with VL to share their career highlights so far, their personal aesthetics and dream projects
As Australian designers we find the community to be incredibly supportive, as it’s so much smaller DALE HARDIMAN OF LAB DE STU It’s hard to define perfection in design. So many things need to be considered nowadays. Not just aesthetics and functionality but sustainability, too R ACHEL VOSILA
Ten emerging Australian designers took part in a discussion with Vogue Living — in conjunction with Lexus Next, a platform that supports the future of design — on what it means to be a designer in Australia today. Hosted by VL’s editor-in- chief Neale Whitaker, creative director Jack Milenkovic and Melbourne editor Annemarie Kiely, the event was held at the Dolphin Hotel in Sydney’s Surry Hills, amid a new interior designed by George Livissianis. Travelling from around Australia to participate in the Lexus Future forum, the designers were invited to submit a concept for the global 2017 Lexus Design Award. It’s the first step in a journey that may take one of them to Tokyo and then potentially to Milan, where a winner will be declared in April 2017.
Rachel Vosila
DESIGN STUDIO: Rachel LOCATION: Sydney Describe your aesthetic: Somewhere between Modernism and Memphis.
Dream project: To collaborate with Formafantasma or Moooi. Career highlight: Exhibiting my work in Milan this year. Where would you like to be in five years? To have developed a refined collection of furniture and objects launched by my studio. Oh, and maybe a studio dog and studio beehive.
Daast
DESIGNERS: Alexander Kashin and Andrew Southwood-Jones LOCATION: Sydney When did you establish your design practice? Two years ago. Describe your aesthetic: We never set out to design something that looks a certain way. We let ideas and process behind design shine through and dictate the final aesthetic. Career highlights: Winning the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards competition and meeting Marc Newson as part of our mentorship program. Where would you like to be in five years? In New York’s
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
Kate Banazi
DESIGN STUDIO: Kate Banazi LOCATION: Sydney
How long have you been designing? Around five years. Describe your aesthetic: Graphic art. Dream project: An architectural collaboration. Right now, ArchiBlox. Their sustainable prefabs are really interesting. Career highlight: My collaboration with Dion Lee was a joy. He and his team were wonderful and I enjoyed the challenge of creating prints that were turned into 3-D. Where would you like to be in five years? Solvent.
Rhys Cooper
DESIGN STUDIO: Rhys Cooper Design LOCATION: Adelaide How long have you been designing? I started in 2010. Describe your aesthetic: Evolving. I try to express an honesty to materials and manufacturing, walking a line between integrity and producability. Dream project: A gourmet burger bar. Career highlight: To be included in the JamFactory Furniture Collection. Where would you like to be in five years? Working with more companies. I also plan to launch my own product range, using local manufacturers and building lasting relationships.
Zachary Hanna
LOCATION: Sydney How long have you been designing? Since high school. I entered and won an architecture competition. Describe your aesthetic: I prefer to keep forms fairly simple, or to be guided by their function, and usually avoid colour. Dream project: I would love to work for a traditionally non- design-focused company, to create a new product by reframing or reconsidering aesthetics and function — like the Bouroullec Brothers’ ‘Serif ’ TV for Samsung. Career highlights: Travelling to Salone del Mobile, Hong Kong and Korea; working for Adam Goodrum and winning Cult’s 2016 Design Journey. I’m looking forward to seeing my lamp ‘Lumen’ being manufactured and sold through Cult. Where would you like to be in five years? To be producing my own work as well as work for clients. A huge goal is to study a Masters in product design at ÉCAL in Lausanne.
Tom Skeehan
DESIGN STUDIO NAME: Skeehan LOCATION: Canberra
When did you establish your practice? I was involved in many areas of art and design before launching my studio in 2010. Describe your aesthetic: Furniture that has a purpose and a strong material narrative. Paring back to a minimal form that expresses the manufacturing process. Dream project: I would love to collaborate with Naoto Fukasawa and develop a collection for Maruni. Career highlights: Securing distribution of my Hoshi collection with Stylecraft and the launch of my chair ‘Hup Hup’ in Milan. Where would you like to be in five years? I’m expanding the studio as we are starting to see more sales in Asia. I would like to get product into the US and maintain an Australian studio. ››
Lab de Stu
DESIGNERS: André Hnatojko, Dale Hardiman, Adam Lynch LOCATION: Three Melbourne sites, where they run the brands associated with Lab de Stu (Dowel Jones, 1-OK Club and LaaL). When did you establish your practice? The three of us have been designing since university, where we met. We formed the design collective Lab de Stu in 2011, at the start of what was the formation of our individual practices. It assisted with our personal design careers and the brands that were to follow. Describe your aesthetic: We all have our own styles and each brand has its own creating and manufacturing methods. A common design trait is experimentation and efficient manufacturing allowing for Australia’s climate. Dream project: The easy answer would be to work with little to no restrictions with a large manufacturer. Career highlights: Being able to travel and meeting so many different people has been a highlight and vital toward expanding our ideas. Dialogue and conversation are key elements for us and towards Lab de Stu’s success. Where would you like to be in five years? For Lab de Stu’s associated brands, a common goal would be creating stronger international trading. We have witnessed a lot of international support for Australian design and would love stronger trade between Australian design brands and the world. Expanding our own practices internationally, with government support, would showcase what Australian design has to offer.
Helen Richards vintage Japanese silk bedcover, $2100, from Planet Furniture. French stool, $200, from Ici et la. Folding metal chair, $150; French metal armchair, $3450; and rustic wooden stool, $385; all from Elements I Love. Painter’s stepladder, $180, and Arts and Crafts spindle back vintage chair, $650; both from Seasonal Concepts. Details last pages.