L&G Studio NYC Design Week Shows 2023

D E S I G N E D I N D I A L O G U E

 After 3 years of reflective hiatus, we return to NYC x Design Week with a new sense of awareness around the roles designers can play in today's world. 

For us, NYCxDesign has always represented an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of new ideas and exploration. This year, we're curating and taking part in exhibitions that prompt a discourse about the potential for design to expand and evolve. 

Join us in exploring: 

What does it means to be a designer in America today?
How design can be practiced with greater care for our communities?
The roles our individual experiences play in the greater design world context?

Our three NYCxdesign exhibitions speak to these ideas and more through new work and meaningful conversations.  

We hope to see you in NYC!   

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L&G STUDIO EXHIBITIONS INFO

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May 21-23

AT THE CROSSROADS OF AMERICAN DESIGN: Celebrating the Established and the Emerging 

We are excited to be participating in "The Crossroads", an immersive installation bringing together more than a dozen designers to offer a snapshot of American design in its many shapes and forms.

ICFF + WDM @ Javits Center
429 11th Ave, NYC 10001

SEE EVENT INFO HERE
SIGN UP FOR APPOINTMENTS HERE 

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May 18 - June  3
PUBLIC ACCESS @ HEAD HI  & @NAVEL CEMETERY LANDSCAPE 

This debut installment of "PUBLIC ACCESS" curated by Jean Lee of L&G Studio, featuring works by 37 designers across 12 countries, poses a foundational question to the design world: How can we expand our creative practices through acts of care and empathy? 

Head Hi: 140 Flushing Ave. Brooklyn, NY (indoor location)
Naval Cemetery Landscape: 63 Williamsburg St W. Brooklyn, NY (outdoor location) 

SEE EVENT INFO HERE 

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May 20 - 25
UPON FURTHER REFLECTION

In partnership with AAPIDA and the FDC, co-curators Andrea Hill and Lora Appleton Hill, has put together a dynamic mix of female-identified creatives within the AAPI community to both investigate and respond to the core idea of "Reflection" and how this charged concept of mirroring and self reflection continues to shape our perceptions of identity within a historically white-centric USA. 

3.1 Philip Lim Flagship Store
48 Great Jones St, NY 10012

SEE EVENT INFO HERE 

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L&G Recommendation Series No. 10: Natural Engagement

Seed Library by L&G Studio. Photo by David Brandon Geeting for MOLD Magazine

During a year+ in quarantine, we gained a new appreciation for spending time in nature. From simply taking the time to experience Spring blossom and rejuvenate the landscape to noticing migration patterns of birds passing by, these moments in nature helped balance our temporary unease towards what the future held.

As everyone begins to re-emerge and the floodgates of social interactions spill open, we think now is the perfect moment to share the past year's activities we most enjoyed with a wider group of friends and family.

To continue these daily rituals started in isolation, is something we can all do to feel more connected. Whether it be a daily walk around the neighborhood to observe the trees or a taking off our headphones and listening to the birds on the way to the train station, when we share that experience with others around us, we believe it helps foster a stronger, caring, and invested community as we all learn to become more present together.

We hope this curated list of recommendations will provide inspiration for you and your loved ones to go out and engage with the world in meaningful ways.

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L&G RECOMMENDATIONS SERIES NO. 10:

NATURAL ENGAGEMENT

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Photo by David Brandon Geeting for MOLD Magazine

L&G RELATED
SEED LIBRARY FOR MOLD MAGAZINE

As part of their most recent issue, MOLD invited us to create a seed library for their latest issue focused on the theme of Seeds. Our piece (pictured above) was conceived as a mini architectural shrine to the wonder of seeds and envisioning a more abundant community.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
READ OUR ARTIST STATEMENT HERE

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READ
MOLD MAGAZINE ISSUE 5: SEEDS

This issue features compelling articles exploring the magic and the value of seeds and what plant intelligence can teach us about creating a deeper connection with the natural world and cultivating for the future.

GET THE LATEST ISSUE HERE

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WATCH
BIRDERS: The Central Park Effect

A delightful and poetic documentary about the fabulous assemblage of birds that come through Central Park during their migration north as well as those who make the Ramble their home. Next time you go out, grab a pair of binoculars and explore which birds are in your region!

WATCH DOCUMENTARY HERE

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DO
GUIDE BOOK FOR NATURE

Spotter's guides of Trees, Birds, Flowers, Shells, The Night Sky and many more. Each book's beautifully-produced guides with colorful illustrations helps you keep track of your sightings. Something about the analog experience of these makes getting out and exploring so enticing.

PURCHASE THE BOOKS HERE

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Courtesy of FOGO Podcast

LISTEN
FEAR OF GOING OUTSIDE

Hosted by avid indoors-woman Ivy Le, FOGO is a nature podcast that is determined to ensure its listeners are prepped and ready to camp no matter what their actual experience is with the great outdoors. Start here if you are unsure exactly what you should bring on your next adventure and what to do when you get there and most importantly, what to type into google to get the right gear.

LISTEN PODCAST HERE

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"Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else."

- Leonardo DaVinci

Design Fundraiser - #DesignForATL

C O M M U N I T Y I N I T I A T I V E

D E S I G N F U N D R A I S E R

We are heartbroken by the recent tragedy that took place in Atlanta. It's not new news that there has been a gross increase in hate crime incidents against Asians since the onset of Covid 19. In just one year alone, there have been nearly 2,800 cases in which Asian people and elders have been verbally and physically assaulted and even killed. While each and every one of these unprovoked incidents have been extremely hurtful to the AAPI community, the heinous hate crime that took place in Atlanta is the straw that broke the camel's back.

As we're navigating through our emotions, we've found solace in solidarity with our Asian friends & colleagues in the design community. Together with our non-Asian allies, we decided to stepped up and do something to help turn feeling of despair and hopelessness into something positive and constructive.

We're incredibly proud and grateful to be a part of @DesignForATL, an Instagram-based fundraising program spearheaded by Jenny Nguyen of @hellohuman.us , Arati Rao of @tantuvi and Jean Lee of @ladiesandgentlemenstudio, three AAPI business founders in the design space.

Community is one of the most important aspects of our studio's practice. For us, it's humbling to be part of a community as means of creating a deeper sense of connection to a collective consciousness that's way bigger than ourselves.

@DesignForATL, is a proud example of this - a together of 90+ designers & makers to raise funds directed to the Atlanta victim’s families and children via the non-profit organization @advancing_justice_atl We are humbled by the love and solidarity of the independent design community and hope you'll join us in your support.

For the @DesignForATL giveaway, we're donating one of our Lightscape Candle Light.

We chose this particular piece to help bring a glimmer of light and hope in these dark times. This piece focuses on one of the most elemental of human-made illuminations: the flame. While mundane and familiar, the candle occupies a special place in the human psyche and we set out to better understand why and how its qualities can create engaging intimate experiences of presence.

1. Follow @DesignForATL to see participating designers and giveaway products.

2. Read the caption on each product post for detailed instructions on entry prices and info. Each giveaway entry prices ranges from $5-$20/entry with no limit to number of entries.

3. To enter the giveaways, go to Advancing Justice Atlanta to make your donation. You MUST enter in the notes field: #DesignForATL [ enter STUDIO NAME you like to enter for]

4. Fundraiser will END ON 3/28 SUNDAY, midnight EST

5. Winners will be announced on 3/30 TUESDAY

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Please remember to enter the giveaway info specified in step 3. If you do not add the special note when you donate, your donation cannot be counted as an entry.

• You can donate as many times you want if you’d like to enter multiple giveaways.

• All giveaways ships to US domestic locations only.

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@DesignForATL now have 100+ participants from all over the US who generously donated their work to help with this cause. There's a wide selection of products from incredible AAPI & non-AAPI designers, makers, and stores from small things like jewelry, bags, artwork, accessories, to even bigger items like furniture, lighting and design services. This is a way to donate for a good cause and get a chance to win some incredible things for yourself and your loved ones. Good luck!

List of some contributors: Herman Miller, Noguchi Museum, The Future Perfect, Dims, Coming Soon, Alex Proba Pat Kim, Kaarem, Karl Zahn, Building BLock, Object Totem, Juju Made, Sophie Lou Jacobsen, Eny Lee Parker, Rosie Li Studio, Egg Collective, Chiaozza, Kaarem, Chen & Kai, Aja & Blanc, Fort Standard and MANY MORE!

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ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
JEAN LEE of L&G STUDIO

Jean Lee is one half of Ladies & Gentlemen who's born in in Taiwan and moved to the US at the age of 8 without knowing a word of English. She learned to adapt and pave her own path in pursuing her passion for design and working collaboratively with the design community and beyond.
@ladiesandgentlemenstudio

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ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
JENNY NGUYEN of HELLO HUMAN PR

Jenny Nguyen is the founder of Hello Human PR. A new PR collective she formed since COVID of last year. As an Vietnamese immigrant growing up in Australia and now lives in NYC, she believes that representations matters, and devotes her practice in amplifying the AAPI and BIPOC creative communities.
@hellohuman.us

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ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
ARATI RAO of TANTUVI

Arati Rao, the founder of Tantuvi is a South Asian American who was born in Brooklyn NY. As an Indian descent, she founded Tantuvi as a way to further embrace and reconnect with her own culture by working directly with artisans in India to elevate and amplify her heritage in the design industry.
@Tantuvi

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"To be hybrid anticipates the future. This is America, the nation of all nationalities. For us to fall into the Fascist line of race bigotry is to defeat our unique personality and strength."

- Isamu Noguchi

L&G Recommendation series No. 7 : In Light of Hope

Like so many creative business owners, 2020 has ushered in an opportunity to look both inward and outward to re-rethink how we, as a small, but impassioned studio can contribute towards greater social impact - to be part of building a brighter, more evolved future.

It's been a year of reckoning and realization that we can all do more for our neighbors, community, society, and the environment. It's become clear that by shifting our focus to care for others and things outside of our bubbles, we'll intrinsically begin to do better for ourselves.

In this spirit, L&G spent the past 6 months getting involved volunteering, fundraising, donating, and doing pro-bono design work for local non-profit organizations (see list below). All were deeply rewarding and only the beginning of what will be a regular part of our studio's evolving practice.

These experiences have also prompted a deeper introspection upon the implications of the objects we create. If objects are the facilitators between our intentions and actions - we must increasingly ensure that our intentions are thoughtfully and holistically eliciting greater presence and care for the physical world. Above all, we're committed to earnestly diving deeper into this idea as a means to deploy design as a catalyst for change.

We believe this design effort should start with the basic and elemental of what we know and practice - beginning with the idea of light. To start, we've focused on one of the most elemental of human-made illuminations: the flame. While mundane and familiar, the candle occupies a special place in the human psyche and we set out to better understand why and how its qualities can create engaging spatial experiences while celebrating elemental properties and forms.

We began with a reexamination of the humble flame's inherent qualities - gaining new appreciation for its warm visual temperature, dynamic movement, and dramatic castings of glow and shadow on its surroundings. Inspired by the principles of Moholy-Nagy's "Light Modulators" we conceived of an intersecting composition of perforated and polished metal shapes which house a simple candle. The assembly's surfaces reflect, refract, and obscure the subtly flickering candlelight to create a complex interplay of highlights and shadows which cast onto nearby architecture to create a rich, dynamic spatial experience.

Produced as a limited edition series, Lightscape Candle Holder is offered by L&G directly with 50% of proceeds donated to Soul Fire Farm, an organization committed to addressing the generational racism embedded in US agricultural practices. Their mission aligns with L&G’s belief that the world can be made better through an elemental engagement with the physical world. Like a flame, food represents hope and vitality simply and honestly - representing a beacon of light for a more connected way of living.

Photos by Charlie Schuck

As seen in recent features in: NYT / Sight Unseen / Design Milk

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LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS L&G HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH:

Learn more & support these wonderful organizations.

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Courtesy of Vogue

Food Justice
SOUL FIRE FARM

Soul Fire Farm is a BIPOC*-centered community farm committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system. We feel deeply aligned with their mission of empowering one another by gaining a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world through physical engagement and community.

LEARN MORE HERE AND SUPPORT 

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Courtesy of Design Advocates

Safe Shelters
DESIGN ADVOCATES

Design Advocates is a platform for architects and designers to share resources and collaborate on efforts to serve the public good through pro-bono projects, research, and advocacy. L&G Studio teamed up with NY-based architects to design a framework for homeless shelters to offer a safe and welcoming space for the community.
SEE PROJECT HERE

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Courtesy of Heart of Dinner

Food Access
HEART OF DINNER

Since Covid, this grass-roots organization has been providing weekly meals to thousands of Asian elders throughout Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens who have been suffering from food isolation, Covid health risks, and xenophobic racial threats. L&G has been helping deliver meals and handwritten notes. As the winter season approaches, they need even more support.
LEARN MORE HERE & SUPPORT

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Voting Rights
FLORIDA RIGHTS RESTORATION COALITION
Back in October, we participated in a collective fundraising effort to #freethevote for Floridians, which raised $731,372 to help pay the fees for formerly convicted citizens to regain their rights to vote after serving their time. You can continue to support the end of this discrimination and promote a more regenerative prison reentry system.
LEARN MORE HERE AND SUPPORT

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"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, Do better."

-Maya Angelou

The Cedars

Photography: Charlie Schuck Lighting: Shape-Up by L&G Studio

At this time of uncertainty and anxiety, we've all had to look inward at ourselves and our surroundings to create new forms of balance and harmony in a chaotic world.  This symbiosis of people and space has always been a core value for us.  In this spirit, we'd like to share some of our favorite projects in which we've contributed to creating a powerful sense of place.


Originally built in 1883, The Cedars sits between the bay and the sound, at the entrance to the quiet town of Orient, New York. A few years ago a young couple began to envision the house as a place that would not only pay homage to the history of the place, but also fit their personalities. They wanted something design-forward, light, bright, and full of art and design. They then teamed up with Michael Yarinsky Studio to breathe life into their vision for the interiors and detailing.

Photography: Charlie Schuck Lighting: Myrna by L&G Studio

As the house overlooks the Long Island sound, the scenery is ever-changing - with each unique sunset bathing the home in color. The interior references the moment when the ocean meets the sky. The color selection consists of muted blues and greens, contrasting with white-washed floors. The wallpaper captures ethereal mood and movements of the water. The lighting is playful and simultaneously brings together and elevates the use of organic materials in the home. The space is kept open with many moments of congregation with the intention of welcoming family and friends, over communal meals, shared stories, and intimate conversations.  This communal spirit in mind, it was important to Office of Tangible Space and the clients to work with emerging designers as well as locals from the North Fork community. 

Photography: Charlie Schuck Lighting: Maru by L&G Studio

"We love working with Ladies & Gentlemen Studio for so many reasons. Their practice is rooted in craft, community, and process in a way that few studios these days actually are - and it is so needed.

The empathic approach L&G takes to a rigorous traditional design process yields incredible humanistic design. Their studio also has a focus on community building and digging into design history which are parts of the design world often overlooked."

-Michael Yarinsky, Principal
Office of Tangible Space

Photography: Charlie Schuck Lighting Clockwise: Shape-Up Pendant & Spun Pendant by L&G Studio

Maru by L&G StudioHere at L&G, nothing makes us feel more fulfilled than seeing our products so thoughtfully integrated into their surrounds.  When carefully considered in conjunction with space, we believe objects have the power to bring functional and emotive cohesion to everyday life.  The Cedars is such a prime example of this potential.  

Office of Tangible Space has been a valued collaborator of ours for many years, over which we've built a relationship of mutual admiration and creative synergy that yields better and better results over time.  This is the type of alignment we aspire to in all of our relationships.  

In this spirit, our studio remains open (remotely), ready to discuss ways to make your spaces harmonious and meaningful.

L&G Recommendation series No. 6: Learning to (Un)Learn

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R E A D

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The Color of Law

by Richard Rothstein

Owning property is a way in which families acquire and build intergenerational wealth. In Rothstein's book, he aims to highlight how a specific generation of African Americans were robbed of an opportunity to create and pass down such wealth by their own government. The New Deal, beginning in 1933, promised to raise an entire country devastated by the Great Depression. Rothstein shows us how the local, state, and federal housing policies introduced in the New Deal actively perpetuated segregation in America, and hurt black families’ access to economic progress.. Through policies like "redlining", the Federal Housing Administration directly furthered segregation efforts by refusing to insure mortgages in African American communities, while, simultaneously, subsidizing mass housing projects for Whites with the special requirement that none of these houses be sold to Black people. These policies ensured that African Americans and other POC were left out of suburban developments and pushed into urban housing projects. The link takes you to a NPR interview with the author, Richard Rothstein, a must listen!

The Purpose of Power - How We Come Together When We Fall Apart

by Alicia Garza

From the co-creator of Black Lives Matter and one of the country's leading organizers, The Purpose of Power encompasses over two decades of lessons Alicia Garza has had to learn and unlearn regarding organizing, especially focusing on how we can make room for those who are still awakening within the woke and how that effort can lead to even more inspiration and activism that can create a better world for all.

Race-ing Art History

by Kimberly N Pinder

Who gets to define art? What is art? What is low art and what is high art? Composed of 22 essays, divided into four parts, this book aims to retell art history through the lenses of race, gender, otherness, and blackness, highlighting the ways in which race has been acknowledged or ignored in art history. From essays like "Making a Man of Him": Masculinity and the Black Body in Mid-Nineteenth-Century American Sculpture,” by Michael Hatt, to “The Other Immigrant: The Experiences and Achievements of Afro-Asian Artists in the Metropolis,” by Rasheed Araeen, this book provides a framework for an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing and discussing race within art and our culture, introducing fascinating and useful new perspectives from which to decode cultural issues.

What Does It Mean to Decolonize Design?

by Anoushka Khandwala

Decolonization vs. Diversity: Two terms we increasingly seen today in ways that are often used interchangeably, but are they interchangeable? Khandwala argues that, though the terms are linked, they are not the same. This must-read article provides a clear framework around what it means to decolonize design and design history, as well as offering a long list of resources on Further Research and (un)Learning Resources. He distinguishes these useful terms brilliantly, identifying decolonization as the process of changing one’s way of thinking, and diversity as the natural result of opening one’s thinking to that which is new and different.

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W A T C H

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The Black Power Mixtape (1967-1975)

A documentary film directed by Göran Olsson,

Featuring found footage shot by Swedish journalists in American between '67 through '75, the documentary investigates the evolution of the Black Power movement in America through interviews and commentaries from leading African-Americans including Dr. Martin Luther King, Angela Davis, Louis Farrakhan, Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Huey P. Newton, and many other artists, activists, and scholars of the time. Cut into nine chronologically presented sections, the film touches on topics from the Black Panther Party to the Vietnam War and the War on Drugs.Did I mention it also features additional voices from contemporaries such as Erykah Badu, Questlove, Harry Belafonte and many more? A must watch!

Teach Us All

A Film by Sonia Lowman

Teach Us All is a documentary and social justice campaign on educational inequality set against the backdrop of the 1957 Little Rock school crisis. Sixty years after the Little Rock Nine faced violent resistance when desegregating Central High in Arkansas, America’s schools continue to represent the key battleground of the Civil Rights Movement. Teach Us All demonstrates powerful lessons from history within a timely context, emphasizing the need for unity and collective action to rectify the disparities among America’s children. The Teach Us All social justice campaign seeks to build the capacity of students and educators to take leadership in carrying forth the legacy of the Little Rock Nine while activating broader community engagement in today’s urgent need for educational equity. Teach Us All is written and directed by Sonia Lowman.

13th

A documentary film directed by Ava DuVernay

In this critically acclaimed documentary, DuVernay contends that the criminalization of behavioral issues continues to enable police to arrest disproportionately large numbers of poor Black people. Those imprisoned often work long, hard hours for incredibly low wages. Their labor benefits the state and private contractors immensely. To DuVernay, this practice replicates some of the worst abuses of slavery. re. This economic injustice, coupled with the war on drugs and many other targeted policies which heavily affect minorities, leads to the extremely high numbers of people of color imprisoned today. 13th offers viewers a thorough education on the prison-industrial complex and how private corporations benefit from such incarcerations. A solid case study on why the privatizing of prisons should not be seriously re-evaluated. Further reading: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander.

The Central Park Five

Documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon

Documentary follows the five boys who were wrongfully convicted of raping a jogger in Central Park in 1989. The five young men spent6 to 13 years in prison, until a serial rapist confessed to the crime. At the time of the crime, Donald J Trump took out an entire page in the newspaper urging the boys receive the death penalty. The troubling documentary shows the sequence of spectacularly serious errors in policing and prosecuting, and urges its viewers to consider the terrible wrongs such errors can cause.

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L I S T E N

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Still Processing -

A New York Times podcast with hosts Jenna Wortham & Wesley Morris. This incredibly thoughtful culture podcast offers fascinating discussions on books, TV, movies, current events and history. A perfect mix of education, pop culture, and intriguing topics and guests..

The Michelle Obama Podcast

Hosted by Michelle Obama herself, the series bring listeners the former First Lady's most candid and personal conversations, showing us what's possible when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to open up, and to focus on what matters most.

The podcast centers on the relationships that shape us, from siblings and close friends to partners, parents, and mentors to our relationship with ourselves and our health.

Code Switch Podcast

The podcast explores how race impacts society from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between.

Episode Recommendation: Unmasking the “Outside Agitator”

1619 Podcast

.Part of a larger ongoing New York Times Magazine project called the “1619 Project”, the audio series from The NY Times observing the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. The project as a whole aims to re-contextualize and reframe American history through slavery and the contributions of African Americans.

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D O

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The Great Unlearn curated by Rachel Cargle

Sign up For Rachel Cargle's THE GREAT UNLEARN via Patreon. The Great Unlearn is a self-paced, self-priced learning collective. The membership program provides monthly syllabi, reading lists, and lectures on history of Race, eco-feminism. etc. to continue learning beyond school and have critical discourse with a diverse community.

Photo: Courtesy of Rachel Cargle’s Instagram

Read the Guide to Allyship

An open source starter guide on how to be a more thoughtful ally.

Support Black-Owned Book Stores: Here is a list provided by Well-Read Black Girl

Photo: Courtesy of Well-Read Black Girl: sign up for their newsletter to receive monthly book club reads!

Join the Colloqate Design Network

Colloqate Design multidisciplinary Architecture + Design Justice practice focused on expanding community access to, and building power through the design of social, civic, and cultural spaces.

L&G Recommendation series No. 3 : Rediscover

Inside L&G Studio space, shelving system from Vitsoe / Photography: Charlie Schuck

As society's dialog begins to recenter around "rebuilding", we continue to reflect on how the elemental values of design can help foster meaning, intentionality, and help in people's lives going forward.  This is in mind, we're reminded of one of our favorite design heroes:  Dieter Rams.

During the intense rebuilding process following World War II, Dieter presented a novel new vision of clarity through his mantra of "Less but More".  This notion has always rung true to us - a timeless beacon encouraging design to distill the essentials of function and experience in ways that allow people to feel present and free in their lives.  The "more" is significant because it implies a value that's human-centric not object-centric.  With all the complexities of life today -  this mantra is ever resonating:  How can our surroundings bring us peace and focus on the truly important things in life?  

As we spend more time reflecting on everything, we are reminded of the value to continue to rediscover the things that have inspired us and still continues to do so. Ever since we were students studying design years ago, Dieter's ethos has formed the core of what we believe as designers and try to instill in our everyday practice.  In honor of that, we'd like to share our genuine admiration for Dieter Rams and what makes him so inspiring.

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L&G RECOMMENDATIONS SERIES NO.3: REDISCOVER

Studio
OBJECT SHRINE

Dieter's 606 Universal shelving system installed in our Red Hook studio serves as a 3D inspiration board that holds our experiments, books, and collections from friends and travels.  It's our shrine and a daily reminder to always stay curious and explorative.  See how L&G arranges things  HERE!

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Courtesy of Vitsoe

Book
THE POWER OF GOOD DESIGN

We love this perfect pocket-size book from Vitsoe that shares Dieter Rams'  10 Principles of Design.  It's still just as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.  Read or print the digital version HERE!  

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Courtesy of Gary Hustwit

Watch
RAMS: A FILM ABOUT DIETER RAMS

Starting this week, Film director, Gary Hustwit is streaming Rams film about Dieter Rams for FREE!  It's a beautifully shot film that highlights his philosophy and reminds us how we always learn and strive to better as designers. Watch the whole film for free HERE.  (until April 21st)

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Courtesy of Vitsoe

Discover
VITSOE SHELVING

VItsoe is the company that has been producing Dieter Ram's shelving and furniture design since 1960.  Still to this day the design has stayed true to its original vision since day one....60 years ago!  It's no mistake why the system is named 606 Universal Shelving.   See this incredible universal system HERE. 

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L&G Recommendation series No. 2 : Light & Darkness

(Photo Collaboration with Robin Stein for Vignette Jewelry collection)

We'd like to continue to share some recommendations on building resiliency mentally, physically, and creatively in these uncertain times.  

It's an understatement to say there's a lot of darkness in our world right now. It is feeling like an all-encompassing cloud.  However, with any darkness, there's a counterforce of lightness.  However dim it may seem now, it's important to recognize these two things always exist in tandem and essential in bringing true harmony physically or mentally.  

This week, we dive into the duality of opposites as a means to understand our current position and our future.

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L&G RECOMMENDATIONS SERIES NO.2: LIGHT & DARKNESS

Photo by Robin Stein, a collaboration with Giancarlo Valle

Product
NEGATIVE  SPACE

There is a powerful force at work in negative space, it's the space we exist in with our rituals, actions, and thoughts.  Our Myrna wall mount light operates in concert with the space around it - creating an inviting intimate canopy to exist under.  

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Book
IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS

In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki, is an essay where Tanizaki shares his philosophy and perspectives on the value of finding harmony by embracing the contrast between light and darkness. 

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Courtesy of Noguchi Museum

Podcast
FINDING BEAUTY THROUGH DARKNESS

This 99% Invisible's Play Mountain episode focuses on Isamu Noguchi's life-long endeavor to create open sculptural playgrounds and not giving up on his vision to bring beauty through adversity and hardship.

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Talk
ON BEING ALONE

People In Places, a new lecture series about the interconnectedness between people and spaces. Organized by our close-collaborators from Office of Tangible Space, join this week's online discussion on what it means to be alone.

Watch the recorded session HERE and also extra recommended reading materials related to that topic.

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Equalizer

Photo by Jonathan Hokklo, Installation by L&G Studio for Henrybuilt, 2019.

We believe in the power of lighting to work with the whole of a room's architecture to create quietly enriching spaces to spend time in. 
In this spirit, we asked how lighting might be used to delineate space instead of walls or structure.  With contemporary spaces becoming more open and free-flowing, there is still a need to define zones visually and functionally.  With this need in mind, we imagined an expandable illuminated framework to respond to different interior conditions.  Equalizer was born here as a series of illuminated shapes connected by a lightweight vertical structure.

Photo by Brooke Holm, Space designed by L&G Studio for SP01, 2016.

photo by Lauren Colman, Interior Designer Michael Yarinsky, 2015.

Comprised of a system of versatile modular fittings, we're able to create an expansive array of configurations from simple pendants to custom screens that undulate through spaces like room dividers.  This flexibility enables a high degree of spatial integration created in collaboration with our clients.  The results yield beautiful decorative lighting that is carefully tailored to fit the space's character and functional needs - able to fall anywhere on the spectrum from an immersive asymmetrical sculpture to a symmetrical repeating pattern.  

photo by Lauren Colman, Installation at The Future Perfect in 2016

The Equalizer collection is crafted from finely machined anodized aluminum fittings and paired with handblown glass globes by our close collaborator John Hogan, based in Seattle.  The glass is given a satin luster that emits a soft velvety glow when illuminated.  

Additionally, this collection exclusively offers the Chameleon color way, a special glass effect developed by Hogan.  The subtle gradient creates a mysterious yet magical color changing effect that shifts from sky blue to sunset pinks depending on surrounding light and viewing angle.  It's a very special option that speaks to our obsession with material wonderment and the beauty of glass in general.  

View fullsize

View fullsize

photo by Lauren Colman (left), photo by L&G Studio (right)

The Equalizer series is designed with versatility in mind, so it can be easily customized and configured in infinite ways based on the context and needs. So check out below to get a glimpse of what is possible!  

Krane / A collaborative collection

photo by Roll & Hill

One of the amazing things about working in New York City is the incredible ways in which the world intersects here.  As cliche as it is, the melting pot effect is real and an important ingredient of the creative vitality that manifests in magical, dynamic, and unexpected moments large and small.  We find this so inspiring and why we were thrilled when one such moment crossed our paths shortly after landing here.

In 2016, our good friends at the Norwegian Consulate and Sight Unseen came with a casual invitation:  collaborate with Norwegian Designers to create an object that represents the overlap of culture and the exchange of ideas.  Always up for a collaborative opportunity, we jumped at the chance and were promptly connected with Vera & Kyte of Bergen, Norway. 

Working over long distance via email and phone conference, we came to discover our Pacific Northwest roots are closely entangled with Nordic influences.  Our conversations flowed and enlightened in unexpected ways considering we'd never met each other before.  Our group discussions touched on culture and values and were inevitably framed by the idea of light.  We learned Norway has a special intimate relationship with light due to their dark winters and long summers.  We also discussed the way design is valued differently in Scandinavia, where appreciation is much broader, ubiquitous, and accessible than in the US.  As we started to ideate, our concepts galvanized around the idea of creating a lamp that reflects this in an elegant and interactive way.

Through iterative sketches, we honed a collective design that became Krane.

photo by Roll & Hill

photo by Roll & Hill

The essential idea behind Krane is to create an intersection between a permanent, decorative light and a functional, portable lamp meant to adapt to spaces and needs.  Instead of an expressive chandelier that sits in one position like a sculpture, we pared down a lamp into essential elements that illicit an interaction between the user and the light.   

Krane's cord, armature, and light source all work together to create a simple expressive composition while providing users with the ability to move the light source closer or farther away with a single motion.  One Krane can go from illuminating a dining table to an intimate reading lamp simply by changing its height.  Its simple form can be installed in a variety of spaces without too much visual noise or expression.

Krane is available as a plug-in ceiling mounted fixture in two armature sizes (large and small) as well as a hardwired wall-mounted sconce version. 

Krane is manufactured by Roll & Hill, who provide an amazing level of craft, finish, and technical refinement to the series alongside its illustrious collection of contemporary lighting.

Composed / Dims Vanity Desk

We're thrilled to announce our new vanity desk we design for furniture brand, Dims.

'Composed' Vanity desk began with a simple question:  how can a vanity be reimagined as a platform for healthy rituals around self-care?  We imagined a place where one does more than dress themselves up but rather nurtures themselves physically and mentally as a daily wellness ritual integrated into contemporary life.  
From this, our mission became clear - create a less vain vanity!

photo courtesy of Dims

Our vision is to create a spot to take a break and focus for a moment on what makes one feel right and good.  We believe this requires a focused piece of furniture to fit its environment, so we set out to create a 'just-right' center for self-care with a set of simple, useful features:

• Flexibility to be used as a desk or everyday storage surface in addition to a vanity.

• A stature that doesn't consume too much space, but functions exceptionally.

• Thoughtfully sized storage sized to hold everything from jewelry to jars to tall product bottles. 

• A mirror size that isn't too dominating, adjustable, and removable to suit different conditions and preferences.

• A simplified, contemporary form to fit a variety of interior styles.

photo courtesy of Dims

Available in 4 color options with or without mirror on DIMS WEBSITE.

Myrna Collection

Photo by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio

We're extremely excited to announce the launch of Myrna, a new collection using color, shape, and materiality to define intimate spaces through light. Embracing the naturally sinuous qualities of sheet materials, Myrna expresses simple, sculptural gestures that add warmth and dimension to interior volumes.   

Space by Giancarlo Valle, Photo by Stephen Kent

Myrna stemmed from a collaborative commission from fellow designer Giancarlo Valle in 2018, when he came to us with an intriguing request:  challenge the traditional chandelier archetype while defining the dining space of his open loft home.  The result was the Myrna Wall Mobile, a gestural variation on a swing arm lamp, made from blackened brass, tinted glass, and an oversized oval shade made from perforated steel. The counterweighted armature allows flexibility in the light's position, creating a positionable warm, embracing cast of light over the designated area. 

Photo by Charlie Schuck

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Top left space by Michael Yarinsky, photo Hanna Grankvist. Top right photo by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio

Myrna's broad shade form is inspired by actress Myrna Loy's signature floppy hats, an elegantly strong and simple form created from a gently bent piece of sheet material.  The structured, but organic shape has a remarkable ability to create an embracing gesture within larger surroundings making it perfect for dining and sitting areas.  The shade also allows for an abundant array of material options from perforated aluminum, brass and stainless steel to a lovely bent glass, a process new to our studio.  Each glass shade is formed from uniquely patterned art glass sheets and given a velvety surface finish resulting in an intriguing materiality that's thin and translucent with a stone-like pattern and hand.

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(Photos by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio)

Though Myrna has already found it's way into some beautiful new homes and spaces, the collection was officially launched last month in Milan, at our Still/Life exhibition during the Salone del Mobile (more on that to come!)

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Myrna is available in an angle-adjustable pendant, sconce, ceiling-mount, and wall mobile format in a variety of materials.  The full scope of the collection can be explored via the link HERE.

L&G PRODUCT FEATURE - Shape Up

Space: Studio DB, Photo: Matthew Williams

In 2013, we began to think more deeply about how lighting can work in harmony with it's environment to create dynamic engaging spaces. 

We became fascinated by how common types of lamp shades direct light in ways that are at once functional, formal and atmospheric.  Basic ubiquitous shades - a glass globe, a metal cone, dome, etc resonated with us for their simple, elemental forms that expressed their functionality through their materials and shape.  Thinking about these as building blocks, we imagined collaged constellations of shades working in concert to respond harmoniously to a variety of spatial conditions.

The result was Shape Up, a versatile system of 5 shapes that can be networked together in response to their environment.  

Shape Up also represents the beginning of an amazing partnership with Brooklyn lighting company Roll & Hill.  We were honored to be invited to design a product for the company at a time when our studio was discovering what we stood for.  In this way, the road to Shape Up was especially formative to developing our voice and vocabulary - we are so grateful to Roll & Hill for supporting that.  

To this day, Roll & Hill masterfully produces Shape Up to a quality level every designer dreams of.  We're beyond pleased to be working with them and able to offer these products to our clients directly with their amazing level of craft. 

Shape Up is a modular system offered in many configurations from a 5 piece chandelier to single adjustable pendants to custom arrangements. 

We're here to help you configure a composition perfectly tailored to your space.

Email us at sales@ladiesandgentlemenstudio.com for help discovering how Shape Up can be a part of your next project.
 

L&G Product Feature: Spun

In 2013, we received a simple request from a client planning guest rooms of a boutique hotel in Seattle:  design and produce a set of inexpensive, flush-mounted and pendant lamps that beautifully integrate exposed energy efficient bulbs.  With this prompt, the Spun series was born:  a versatile collection embracing and accentuating the beautiful moments within understated functionality.

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Spun Sconces at Di An Di, Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Image by Charlie Schuck.

We begin each design project by evaluating the basics:  what are the essential elements of the concept and how can they be honestly and beautifully appropriated towards the object's function?  

Sometimes the answer to this question is simple:  a careful exercise in proportioning and materiality that highlights the beauty of directness.  Spun is one such moment:  the cylinder shade directs light while elegantly shielding the functionality of the socket and bulb base without entirely hiding them.  Likewise, each of Spun's elements work in concert at an understated scale that aims to become an integrated element of an interior space over a singular sculptural statement. 

This approach makes Spun one of our most versatile collections.

The Spun Collection is comprised of several variations:  the single pendant, clustered chandeliers and the flush-mount sconce, which can be installed on the wall or ceiling.  Finishes include Brushed Brass, our new Tinted Blackened Powder Coat, and Frosted Glass.  Custom finishes are also available.  

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Product: Glass Spun Pendant / Photography: L&G Studio

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Product: Brass Spun Cluster & Sconces in a private residence by Michael Yarinsky 

L&G PRODUCT FEATURE - Aura

Today we explore a L&G 'classic' - the Aura Pendant, our very first lamp.   Created in 2012, it was designed as a pure expression of artificial light beginning with the light bulb as the essential unit.  From there, a simple gesture - the brass ring - highlights the act of illumination exposing a delicate glowing halo surrounding the luminaire. 

In our minds, nothing more was required to celebrate the wonder of modern lighting.
 

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Product: Aura Cluster / Photo by: KAAREM

We believe our responsibility as designers is to celebrate the simple ingredients that make the mundane magnificent.  After all, the very idea of artificial light is a modern marvel we take for granted everyday.

Getting down to the essentials is the most challenging and rewarding part of design exploration.  We believe reductionism is one way to discover honest answers about an object's function, form, and soul.  Aura is a celebration of this approach as well as the beginning of our fascination with light, shadow, and texture began.

The Aura collection is available in a variety of finishes and configurations from small pendants to large clusters.  Each provides simple lightweight solutions to accent surrounding spaces. 

Please click the links below to discover the full series.

La Sirena restaurant by TPG Architecture

La Sirena restaurant by TPG Architecture / Kitchen by Minosa Design

VALUE DESIGNERS at VALUE SHOP: Part 2

Here's the second half list of the participating studios!

13. Ladies & Gentlemen Studio:  That's us... Jean & Dylan (also co-organizer of the popup, Brite Collective, and JOIN)  like to keep a diverse array of things from chalkable piggy banks, to servers, to jewelery, to serving trays, and even lights.  Some might call it lack of commitment, but they prefer to call it diversification!

14. Material Good:  Founded on a vision that a company can include working for a cause in it's core vision, material good donates a portion of all sales to causes that promote curing and preventing cancer.  Their "Little Shirley" vases are an homage to founder Lauren Burman's grandmother, who inspired the idea for Material Good.

15. Meet Me Here: Jonas DeVerona creates simple well-constructed bags, accessories and clothes with quality materials and a keen eye for details.

16. Metrode: Caitlin collaborates with skilled small town hobbyist & crafters to create products in their craft with her creative vision and aesthetic.  The result is an elevation of traditional crafts beyond kitsch to the point of high design.

17. Object: Photographer Charlie Schuck is a man of many visions, but fortunately for us he has a soft spot for design.  Through the opening of Object, a Belltown design store and event space he champions good design with a minimally curated collection of furniture, lighting, home goods, jewelry, accessories, and vintage objects.

18. Paper Hammer: A paper studio/shop founded by Ed Marquand  (of Marquand Books - Seattle publishing company) that's all about bring back art of paper goods and book binding.  Their studio based in Tieton (a small Eastern Washington town recently revitalized as an artist town) creates their goods with the loving care that few care to give to papergoods these days.

19. Perhacs Studio: Founded by Brandon Perhacs and based on Bainbridge Island, the studio creates graphically playful products many of which can be customized by their users.

20. R&L goods:  Jean & Chika whip up a lovely collection of handmade wallets, notebooks, and other softgoods with prints in collaboration with Piano Nobile.

21. Studio Arno: A brand new company founded by Justin Lyle who makes sophisticated modern bolo ties using an array of exotic woods.

22. Ta+Ma:  We love Designer Tamae Satsu's eye for details and materials in her line of simple soft goods made from high quality leather and felt.

23. Urbancase:  Darin Montgomery of Urbancase is all about designing objects and spaces that contribute to a simpler, pared back lifestyle. 

VALUE DESIGNERS at VALUE SHOP: Part 1

On behalf of Brite Collective & JOIN, I'd like to just share what all this VALUE SHOP excitement is about!  We now have 20+ design studios which we'll feature at the VALUE (pop-up) SHOP for this coming weekend!!

We got some design "O.G."s, but also some new friends in the mix! Here's a sneak peak & a little something about each of the designers  alphebetaically ordered starting with the first half of the list....

1. Ample: Is a modern furniture & lighting studio founded by Andy Johnson.  The studio produces everything right here in Seattle, Washington with a strong preference for local materials and a deep conviction that furniture can and should be built to last a lifetime - or two.  

2. Aleks Pollner: Ceramic porcelain artist who tests our perception of precoius porcelain objects and what it  means when things are just meant to be broken.

3. Ashley Helvey: the multi-talented textile artist, stylist, foodie, prolific blogger, and ultra-skilled thrifter. 

4. Blkpine Workshop: Christa Thomas & Nin Troung (also the co-organizers of this popup) have this amazing knack for juggling multiple creative businesses and roles at once. They are the founders/designers of Blkpine Workshop (Seattle-made bags),  Maiden Noir (menswear brand), Cafe Weekend (a delightful cafe), and on top of that Nin's a creative director for Stussy.  And we think we're busy with just one studio!

5. Brackish:  An up & coming furniture company founded by Forest Eckley & Andy Whitcomb.  Their thoughtful approach to design is based on a simple balance of carefully salvaged materials to create one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that are equal parts warm and industrial.

6. Erich Ginder: A PNW native who draws upon natural and traditional imagery from his youth to create fresh, playful remixes of classic forms.

7. fruitsuper: A seattle duo that puts the fun in fundamental with their simple, colorful, and functional products.

8. Glasswing: A collective founded by three roommates (Forest, also part of Brakish, Alisa, and Sean)who see eye-to-eye in all the little things that matter for living a quality life.  They have a shared interest which sent them on a mission to gather the best sources for delightful everyday essentials from scented homemade candles, honey from nearby farms, accessories, and more.

9. Grain:  Our Bainbridge Island-based friends whose thoughtful designs are dedicated to social and environmental responsibility.  Their goods are produced in small batches at their island studio or through special collaborations with expert artisans in the US and abroad.

10. Herman Yu:  A Seattle designer who creates beautiful printed cards and calendars featuring artfully manipulated natural images that are simultaneously graphic and ethereal.

11. Iacoli & McAllister:  A collaboration between Jamie Iacoli and Brian McAllister that yields an impressive line up of lighting, furniture, jewelry, and small products.  Their work never ceases to be an amazing intersection of materials and geometry.

12. Jessalin Beutler:  A collection of accessories and clothes that are feature bold geographic patterns HAND-painted by Jessalin herself!

So yah......quite a list already, eh? This is like rounding up all the super hereos with all their super making powers!

Well, guess what? we're only at the half way point! More designers to follow for part 2!

VALUE SHOP: Design Pop-up Shop

.....This is happening in 8 days!

SHOP HOURS:
9/21- 12pm-8pm
9/22- 10am-8pm
9/23- 10am-6pm

LOCATION:

On John street (between 9th &  Westlake) see MAP for exact location of Design Block

MORE INFO:

Go to our FB EVENT page for more info & invite everyone!

The Value Shop is a 3-day desing popup shop which will feature 17+ local Seattle studios. Our mission is to bring together all the great Seattle design studios by not only highlighting the products, but also share each a bit more about studio's approach, process, and way of designing.

Our shop will be amongst a group of large shipping containers that will be placed in South Lake Union neighborhood right by the Discover Center on John Street (between 9th ave N & Western)

Hopefully the weather will look just like this dream rendering!

We're ON for NY Design Week May 18-22!!

We we're incredibility excited that on top of us being able to FINALLY go check out ICFF for the first time EVER, we'll get to be in NY during the best time of the year, AAAAAAAND we'll also be part of few extremely exciting satellite events happening during design week!!

Neither Dylan & I have gone and we've only been talking about it for like....8 years...and FINALLY this year we decided that we would go for realz!!! We were just hoping to go for fun and then few opportunities came along where places was doing open calls for shows....so we figured...why not?! We might as well make a worth while trip, right??

Well, lucky for us, we're able to be part of 3 awesome events!!

1. We're extra stoked (and still can't believe) that we'll be part of NOHO Design District!! NDD is organized by the talented ladies of Sight Unseen where they coordinate & curate shows to be shown all around shops and galleries in Noho.

When we got the email from Monica and Jill that our submissions got accepted and that they'll paired us with this amazing clothing brand, Zero+Maria Cornejo, I think I might have even screamed outloud for a long time....then absolute silent with me staring at my computer screen for like another hour....just in total shock.

We  just can't believe that we'll be part an all-star group and be featured along all our design crushes like Tom Dixon, Bec Brittain, Lindsey Adelmen, Jonah Takagi, Brenden Ravenhill, Tanya Aguiniga, Fort Standards, Chen Chen & Kai Williams, and companies like Roll & Hill, Areaware, The Future Perfect ...and whole a whole lot more!! I'm feeling high just thinking about all this....

So needless to say, we're MORE than ecstatic to be able to show our work at Zero+Maria Cornejo. Her work is absolutely stunning and I'm already eying up some pieces...SO TEMPTING!!!

The show will begin on MAY 18th at Zero+Maria Cornejo. More event info HERE.

2. Is another awesome show,  Raw+Unfiltered, organized by Kiel Mead and head of AmDC. Last year our Cane & Able was shown at the "USE ME" show, but we weren't able to party with all the amazing talents there.  So this year...we're definitely NOT going to miss out again!

Here's a sneak peak of what we're showing!

The show will open on SUNDAY MAY 21st at HELLER GALLERY. More event info HERE and to RSVP.

3. We'll be part of FAB's popup shop which will start on MAY 14th.  They requested a limited batch of custom red piggy banks! Aren't they cute?!

They FAB sale will beging online. More info TBA.

We're so excited for all this!!!!!EXCLAMATION MARKS FOREVER!!!!

New for 2012!

That's Jean serving up a fresh tray of 2012 goodness. With the holidays behind us and the NYIGF looming just ahead, it was right back to the drawing board for us in January. We were hankering to cook up something new.

As you may have picked up in past posts about our kitchen...we've been really obsessed with the combination of copper and brass with woods and leather. We've always been suckers for nostalgia and I think these materials really strike a reminiscent chord on a different...more fundamental level. 

 To that end, it only felt appropriate to pair these warm, welcoming materials with minimalist, elemental forms that celebrate the integrity of the materials without any frivolous details. The resulting collection is a bit of a departure aesthetically from our past products, but a direction we're really excited about!

Without further adieu (follow links for more details or to purchase)...

Segment Necklace: An abstract arrangement of simple shapes and warm material combination using wood, leather and metal tubes.

Perimeter Tray: A solid wood base framed with powdercoated aluminum coupled with a carrara marble cheeseboard insert.

Cylinder Shakers: Copper, Brass, and Aluminum Salt and Pepper Shakers are designed to age and patina with use.