TALKING PRECIOUS METALS WITH INNOVATIVE DESIGNER
Crystal queen Anna Rabinowicz (of New York’s Rab Labs) is known for creating “modern classic” pieces for the home from precious metals, which are incredibly on trend for spring. The Vancouver Sun caught up with Rabinowicz to discuss her latest collections and thoughts on the year ahead.
Q There has been a lot of talk about well-being and calmness reflected in home decor for 2017. Do you see this in your own work?
A In tumultuous times like the present, designers have the ability to create objects which bring calmness into people’s lives. I have never felt more keenly the power and responsibility of designers to bring beauty and grace into people’s lives than I do right now, and that’s what was on my mind when I created our spring 2017 collection. There will always be trends — but this is one I have always held our company true to.
Q What is some of the best feedback you’ve ever received about your work?
A I firmly believe that any luxury item you bring into your home should have a story and depth to it, and the beauty of working with materials from the earth, like agate and crystal, is that they have an ancient past and history with which they are imbued. My hope is that people will be moved by my designs and will feel the emotion behind them when they hold them in their hands. A really touching reaction was when a good friend in Los Angeles put a photo of her beloved mom, who had recently passed away, and her as a child into one of our IMA frames because it was a treasured memory and our frame was how she wanted to remember it. These reactions are by far the most rewarding and moving part of being a product designer.
Q What pieces are you most proud of from your 2016 collections? And what can we look forward to seeing from you this year?
A I love each collection for different reasons. For 2016, the Amare Collection holds a special place in my heart. Amare means love in Italian (the alabaster comes from Tuscany), and that’s what I want people to feel when they live with this collection. The alabaster stone incorporated into this design is handcrafted from an artisan with a multi-generational history of working with this stone and the quarry from which it was taken. For our spring 2017 collection, my focus has been on creating objects which bring people together, especially in such challenging times, and build memories. A critical part of this launch is our first teapot, part of the Amare collection. Inspired by the hummingbird, my favourite bird, the beak of the teapot captures its characteristics in the design impossibly fast, elegant and delightful to watch. One of my favourite things is seeing how people respond to my designs and how they incorporate each one into their everyday lives in new and unique ways — I can’t wait to see what kinds of entertaining rituals our customers are going to create with our new teapot!
Q How has your work evolved over the years?
A We were first, and are still, known for our gemstone coasters and platters, made in Brazil, which I designed 15 years ago. We were also the first to electroplate these gemstones with luxurious edges of 24k gold and pure silver. Since that time, the company has evolved greatly — our collection has grown to over 500 unique designs, from products for entertaining, to desk and bathroom collections, to lighting and furniture. Some of the latest evolutions are expanding our gleaming metal offerings into an entire entertaining collection; incorporating other natural materials like acacia wood and Tuscan alabaster into the line; and exploring large-scale stone tabletops. We now have truly special pieces for every room in the house, though the heart of each is the same objects that are equal parts extraordinary and usable, meant to last a lifetime.
Q We see a lot of mixed materials in your work, can you tell us a bit about this?
A I’ve always been interested in the intersection of science and art. My love of biology and nature led to our focus on natural materials, which are the essence of the brand. In our most recent collection, I also explored gleaming metal surfaces, accented with glowing gemstones to evoke the glamour of the 20th century with a modern twist. Whether it’s the materials I come across or the shapes found all around, all of our collections are meant to produce unexpected results.
Q Are there any materials you would like to work with that you haven’t so far?
A Marble from Carrara (Italy) and Africa, hand-cut crystal, mould-blown glass and solid-cast brass.