MAISON ET OBJET 2020: DESIGNER OF THE YEAR IS MICHAEL ANASTASSIADES

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When Michael Anastassiades launched his eponymous lighting brand in 2007, the first fair at which he presented his new designs was MAISON&OBJET. Now, most aptly, he is coming back as Designer of the Year. In the interval, he has become one of the most poetic and prolific lighting designers working today. Anastassiades’ work exists between that which is utilitarian and honest in its function, but also poetic and enigmatic in its presence! Maison et Objet highlights the work of this amazing designer by naming his Designer of the Year in January 2020. Today, CovetED brings you everything about the designer, so you can discover a bit more about his amazing work.

MAISON ET OBJET 2020: DESIGNER OF THE YEAR IS MICHAEL ANASTASSIADES

Michael Anastassiades is a London-based company specialising in the design and manufacturing of high-quality lighting and objects. Established in 2007, it was founded to increase the availability of Michael’s signature pieces. The objects are fabricated by family-run workshops worldwide, selected for their unique manufacturing skills and traditional use of materials. Each product is handcrafted and stamped with the designer’s mark. Michael Anastassiades’ design philosophy is to produce exceptionally designed objects of permanent value.

Michael Anastassiades for Herman Miller

Michael founded his studio in London in 1994. He trained as a civil engineer at London’s Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine before taking a masters degree in industrial design at the Royal College of Art.

MASTER OF LIGHT

MAISON ET OBJET 2020: DESIGNER OF THE YEAR IS MICHAEL ANASTASSIADES

Although best known for his lighting, he has designed with the same rigour and clarity in all fields: furniture for the likes of B&B Italia, Herman Miller, Cassina; drinking glasses for Lobmeyr; speakers for Bang & Olufsen; a public project in Mint Street, London; a drinking fountain for the Victoria & Albert Museum. His work can be found in permanent collections at the Museum Of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, the MAK in Vienna, the Crafts Council in London and the FRAC Centre in Orleans France.

Next The philosophical egg, ceiling & wall mounted

« To design a light one first has to embrace the darkness »

Anastassiades believes that to design a light, one first has to embrace darkness: he sees no need to turn night into day. Lights for him are a source of warmth, and what fascinates him most is the glow.

Brass architectural collection, d2/o1

When designing a light, he takes into consideration that a lamp is off 80% of the time, so he takes the time to figure out the relevance of the object when switched off. In his vision, a lamp is never an isolated object because it has to interact with its environment.

« Lights are a source of warmth, and what fascinates me most is the glow »

TIMELESS OBJECTS

Fleet Drinking Water Fountain

For Michael Anastassiades sustainability is a perverse idea. He strongly believes we should surround ourselves with objects that will last a very long time, that design should not be shortsighted. His desire is to design for the long term and indeed his objects have a timeless quality to them.

Michael Anastassiades for Bang & Olufsen, Beosound Edge

Since 1995, MAISON&OBJET has been the world’s foremost event for professionals in the lifestyle, interior design and design industries. Each edition brings together some 3,000 exhibitors and more than 85 000 unique visitors, half from outside France. Promoting new contacts and emerging talents, the twice-yearly fair presents the latest sources of inspiration. By shedding light on current and future trends, MAISON&OBJET has become a catalyst for brand development and business growth.

Profile in Style: Michael Anastassiades – The New York Times

Launched in September 2016, the digital platform MOM (MAISON&OBJET AND MORE) offers a comprehensive overview of up-to-date news and products from the manufacturers, artisans and designers who exhibit at the fair. A bottomless source of inspiration, it also provides a tool for visitors to communicate directly with thousands of brands throughout the year.