ICFF 2012 Report: Bespoke Global's Artisan Collective
Custom-crafted lighting and furniture are available with mere keyboard clicks from this group of high-end designers and artists
High-end design shouldn't be so hard to buy. That was designer Gwen Carlton's vision for Bespoke Global. A lighting designer for more than 10 years, Carlton knew that people wanted to buy beautiful, custom products without having to jump through hoops. So she created Bespoke Global, a collective of artisans who create one-of-a-kind pieces available for purchase online. At the 2012 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York, Carlton and several artists revealed elegant new pieces, available soon online.
The Derrick Chandelier is Kiln Design Studio's first attempt in the world of lighting. The delicate piece is made using vitreous enamel, a material used for centuries in Europe that's rarely seen today.
Carlton worked closely with textile designer Maki Yamamoto to design the Yanagi Drum and translate the Japanese designer's signature look into a unique light fixture. Strips of silk are hand sewn onto the shade and drop down in an elegant knot.
Farrago Design revealed a new handmade camel-bone inlaid table called Rahasya. This clever contraption has multiple hidden compartments for storage.
Heather Palmer brought her stunning glasswork to Bespoke Global for its first foray into lighting. Palmer's signature sea fans are often used as accessories but make the perfect shade for a sconce or a ceiling pendant.
Gwen Carlton took a break from the show to answer a few questions for us.
Q. What is the biggest priority in your designs?
A. To make something so gorgeous that you can’t breathe and your knees go weak.
Q. What was your intention and inspiration for the pieces you’re exhibiting?
A. After a very successful first year, we decided to launch a series of collaborations. It’s been thrilling for me to be able to design these pieces with some of the world’s premier bespoke artisans.
Q. What iconic designer would you love to work with?
A. Armand-Albert Rateau while he was designing Jean Lanvin’s Paris apartment.
Q. Where’s your go-to place for inspiration?
A. Neue Galerie in NYC, because you just cannot do better than the Wiener Werkstätte. And with regular trips to the Met to visit the Verre Eglomise panels from the S.S. Normandie. If you haven’t been, stop what you’re doing and make it happen now. It will change your life.
Q. What’s a favorite piece of furniture that you own?
A. Michael Coffey Whaleback Chairs
Q. What famous figure’s home do you think your products belong in?
A. Tilda Swinton. She’s fearless.
See more reports from the ICFF 2012
Q. What is the biggest priority in your designs?
A. To make something so gorgeous that you can’t breathe and your knees go weak.
Q. What was your intention and inspiration for the pieces you’re exhibiting?
A. After a very successful first year, we decided to launch a series of collaborations. It’s been thrilling for me to be able to design these pieces with some of the world’s premier bespoke artisans.
Q. What iconic designer would you love to work with?
A. Armand-Albert Rateau while he was designing Jean Lanvin’s Paris apartment.
Q. Where’s your go-to place for inspiration?
A. Neue Galerie in NYC, because you just cannot do better than the Wiener Werkstätte. And with regular trips to the Met to visit the Verre Eglomise panels from the S.S. Normandie. If you haven’t been, stop what you’re doing and make it happen now. It will change your life.
Q. What’s a favorite piece of furniture that you own?
A. Michael Coffey Whaleback Chairs
Q. What famous figure’s home do you think your products belong in?
A. Tilda Swinton. She’s fearless.
See more reports from the ICFF 2012