Talking Design

Describing himself as an interior designer and a visual artist, Dr. James Carey switched from studying arts to Interior Design at RMIT University. As well as having worked with a number of practices, both local and global, Carey enjoys heading up the university's fourth year program -teaching students on the broader aspects of design.

Denise Sprynskyj and Peter Boyd established S!X fashion label in 1994 -Following a deconstructed aesthetic from the outset, they continue to remain strong to their initial vision. Both now with doctorates from RMIT where they also lecture in the School of Fashion & Design, they work continues to attract a strong following and can be found in galleries such as the National Gallery of Victoria.CreditsHosted by Stephen CraftiToday's guests are Denise Sprynskyj and Peter BoydEdited by Mia SimmonsProduced by RMIT

Established 10 years ago by founder and Creative Principal Rhy Gorgol, The Company You Keep, TCYK is a multi-sectorial design practice that takes a more unconventional approach from everything from band strategies and product development to book publishing -focusing on brands that ‘speak' rather than ‘shout'.

Danielle Whitfield. Curator of Fashion & Textiles talks about the exhibition on Coco Chanel ‘Fashion Manifesto' that opened at the National Gallery of Victoria in early December and will close at the end of April. She not only takes us through this exhibition but explains Chanel's important legacy to fashion in the 20th century and beyond - a fascinating insight into the world of a fashion legend.

Initially studying sculpture at the Victorian College of the Arts, Simone Leamon was then given the opportunity to work with contemporary jeweller Susan Cohn. She also later undertook a Masters Degree in Industrial Design at RMIT University. Eight years ago Leamon along with her colleague Ewan McEoin were awarded the positions of the Hugh Williamson Curators at the National Gallery of Victoria and recently included the inaugural Design Fair as part of Melbourne Design Week.@ngvmelbourne@melbournedesignfair@simoneleamon#melbournedesignweekdesignfair.melbournedesignweek.melbournehttps://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/design-architecture

Architect Robert Simeoni is masterful when it comes to working with older buildings. His latest project, a large period home in Hawthorn, Melbourne, straddles the fine line of what to retain as much as how to create a fine contemporary home. He discusses his approach, along with other projects.Robert's Webpage - robertsimeoniarchitects.comInstagram - @robertsimeoniarchitects

Director of Angelucci Architects, Enza established her practice in 2006 after working for a decade with architect Norman Day, also a writer and critic. Enza, a graduate and alumni of RMIT University, is masterful at working with tight inner-city sites, transforming Victorian cottages into family homes.

Architects David and Jacqui Wagner are a husband and wife team behind the practice Atelier Wagner. They have established a reputation for their fine and sensitive approach to restoring and repurposing heritage buildings but also show their skill when designing new homes.

Sally Dan-Cuthbert opened her gallery in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney in 2019 as the pandemic took hold. While the last two years have been challenging, she sees greater interest in functional art, whether it takes the form of chairs, credenzas, mirrors or side tables. Representing leading designers, such as London-based Brodie Neil, to locals, such as Trent Jansen based in rural NSW. It's a unique gallery that celebrates the finest in Australian and New Zealand design.

Tapestries are experiencing a revival - perhaps in line with renewed interest in 1970s architecture and design, when tapestries were at their peak. Stephen Crafti caught up with Antonia Syme, Director of Australian Tapestry Workshop in Melbourne.

Based in Avalon on Sydney's Northern Beaches, architect Richard Cole has established a strong following in this locale. His fine architect-designed houses, although having their own ‘voice', find inspiration in the work of architects such as Peter Muller, Peter Stutchbury and Bruce Rickard. Responding to the location, as much as to the given brief, these houses have a string connection to their bush settings.

Architect Chris Peck is a Director of Art of Architecture (AOA). The name of his architectural practice reflects his interest in both art and architecture. AOA has not only established a reputation for this combo, but also for its work designing schools in regional Victoria, creating places that capture the essence of these communities.

William Smart has made a reputation since establishing his practice in 1997. From modest beginnings, he has received numerous awards for projects, including his own studio and apartment in Alexandria, Sydney. Sculptural and poetic, Smart fashions bricks like they were clay in his hands.

Textile designer Frances Burke is the subject of this book, which is co authored by Nanette Carter and Robyn Oswald-Jacobs. Titled Frances Burke: Designer of Modern Textiles, the book beautifully covers Burke's illustrious career from the 1930s until she closed her business in 1970. As well as the insightful story of Burke's life, the book, produced by The Miegunyah Press, features extensive photos, many in Melbourne, showing how her wonderful fabrics were used by leading architects of the time.

Interior designer Paul Hecker was raised and studied in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne in the 1980s. Initially working with architect Daryl Jackson, Hecker worked for a number of practices before establishing his own, Hecker Guthrie, with interior designer Hamish Guthrie. From bespoke homes to multi-res and commercial projects, the award-winning practice works across a number of sectors.

Peter Williams, Director of Williams Boag Architects, is known for his contemporary style. His practice has created a presence in the heritage world, receiving numerous architecture awards. The recent restoration of the Fomeer Mining Exchange in Bendigo took at the prestigious John George Knight Award in 2021 from the AIA (Victorian Chapter).

Since starting his practice a few years ago, Liam Eastop has made a quiet but impressive entrance on the architectural scene in Melbourne. Receiving awards and accolades for his bespoke work, Eastop thinks about spaces rather than simply styles, a talent to watch out for!

Sue Car has just received on Order of Australia Medal. The award-winning designer, who studied at RMIT in the late 1960s, established her practice in 1971 (50 years ago)! An extraordinary achievement. Carr Design has become an important part of our cities, including residential, apartments, bespoke hotels and numerous other commercial projects.

Contemporary Jeweller Blanche Tilden is having a survey exhibition at Geelong Gallery until 1 August before it travels to a number of galleries including Sydney, Wagga and Canberra. Showcasing 25 years of work, Tilden's glass jewellery was noticed even before she graduated from the Canberra School of Art in 1995, with a graduate piece purchased by the National Gallery of Australia. An exhibition not to be missed!

Architect Bruce Trethowan has just past the 20 year milestone at the helm of Trethowan Architects. A leading heritage architect, Trethowan understands the importance of historic buildings, from Melbourne's years of settlement to the more recent past. Trethowan explains some of the approaches to heritage architecture and the importance it plays in the city's history.

Technē Architecture + Interior Design has established a reputation in Melbourne's hospitality scene. From the slightly gritty and urbane interiors found at The Espy to the more sleek and refined at Brunetti, it's about creating an ambience to speaks to the audience. And as with the consumer, each venue has its own identity. Stephen Crafti caught up with architect Nick Travers, one of three directors at Technē.

Tim Reeves has just released the book 'Winning Homes: 75 Australian House Design Competitions', published by Halstead Press. The book is a testimony to some of the great Australian architects over the last 150 years and the value competition made to their practice as well as the community-at-large. With plans and elevations included, it makes one think as to what really makes a great home.

Make sure you check out the exhibition 'Mary Quant: Fashion Revolutionary' at the Bendigo Art Gallery (closes 21 July 2021). Showcasing garments from 1955 to 1975, the 110 garments on display are an important reminder of the swinging 1960s. Emma Busowsky Cox, curator of this exhibition, talks about some of the highlights and this period of fashion.

Geoffrey Hatty, Director of Applied Arts in Melbourne, has been at the forefront of designer furniture and objects since the mid-1980s. One impetus was seeing the Joseph Hoffmann collection of furniture, with each room of the Gallia apartment from Vienna on exhibition. Hatty has found beauty in everything, from the 1980s Memphis period through to the 1890s arts and crafts movement and even a handmade hammer recently discovered in a junk shop!

NTF Architecture has established a reputation for their townhouses, with its Blackburn development receiving an AIA Victorian Chapter Award last year in the category of multi-res. This project showed that the past (in this case 1960s units) can be transformed into abodes for contemporary living. Their latest project is a large heritage-listed bluestone house that fuses the past and present, celebrating both periods in the process.

Coinciding with her new book, Kerstin Thompson Architects: Encompassing People & Place, published by RMIT in conjunction with Thames & Hudson, this interview traces some of the landmark projects in KTA’s practice since the early 1990s. Thompson, who graduated from RMIT, regularly receives awards for everything, from her understated homes to even simple amenities, such as a toilet block adjacent to a freeway. Often driven by this history of a building, there’s a strong thread of ideas running through every project.

Balarinji is one of Australia’s most high profiled design practices. From graphics for Quantas airlines in the mid-1990s, it has gone on to make an important indigenous mark in Australia and abroad. Established by Ros and John Moriarty 40 years ago, Balarinji has made its mark on everything from textiles to art installations. The Moriarty Foundation, established in 2011 enables Aboriginal families and communities in the Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW to unlock the potential of their children through a number of programs from football to early learning.

Ross Harding is a principle at Finding Infinity, which was established in 2014. He has organised A New Normal for this year's Design week (26 March - 4 April), inviting leading architectural practices, including John Wardle, Kennedy Nola, Clare Cousins, Edition Office and many others, to demonstrate sustainable principles.

Pato Paez is a Director of The Commission Project. Based in New York and founded by artist Michael Souter, The Commission Project fuses together art and architecture, predominantly in commercial settings. Some installations can even be audio based. Working closely with architects and artists, the results literally transform a space, based strongly on research.

The name Signature Prints has become synonymous with wallpapers in Australia. At the helm is owner David Lennie, who started his wallpaper business in the late 1980s. Now working with leading designers, as well as overseas companies, his Sydney-based business has grown, with many of the designs from the company’s extensive archives.

Described by the media as ‘arguably the most creative force in Australian fashion’, and ‘the man responsible for teaching us how to wear black’, Joseph Saba is an icon of Australian fashion.Joe opened his first store, the ‘Joseph Saba Shirt and Sweater Shop’ in Flinders Lane in 1965. He went on to create the famous Staggers jeans label, which revolutionised jeans in Australia in the 1970’s. He introduced his now famous Saba brand in 1974, building the business up to 17 stores, including a store in New York, before selling the Saba business in 2002.Joe’s most recent success was with his online and wholesale label Joseph Saba, a lifestyle range of womens clothing consisting of Joe's signature knitwear and jersey pieces, for easy relaxed dressing.

Tony Newsham came from the United Kingdom in the early 1970s not knowing what to do as a career. Five years later, he opened Trellini in Melbourne and later in Sydney. After almost 20 years forging a path, Newsham went onto become Vice President of Comme des Garcons in New York, where he resided for 13 years. An extraordinary fashion trajectory!

Fashionistas of the past will fondly remember Masons, which was one of the leading fashion houses in Melbourne through the sixties and seventies. One of its principals was Piero Gesualdi, architect, fashion designer, interior designer and café owner who brought much of his modernist aesthetic to Rosati’s, the café he established in Flinders Lane. Here he talks about his long and varied career, the creative flame, and his latest innovative venture - turning one of Melbourne’s electricity substations into an underground bar.

Mardi Doherty is co-director of Doherty Lynch, an Interior Design Practice based in Melbourne. A graduate of RMIT's Interior Design program, Doherty worked for Chris Connell for several years before moving to London to work with leading design practices. Her business partner, Interior Designer Fiona Lynch, worked for JCB Architects before forming her own practice with Doherty.

Lighting designer Nicci Green started her career as a chef. After deciding she preferred to be enjoying company rather than being hidden in the kitchen, she switched to food styling, initially working for Votre Beaute magazine in Paris. Green founded Articolo Lighting in 2012 after realising a gap in the market for bespoke lighting. Her story is fascinating.

Roger Leong, now at the Powerhouse Museum, has decades of knowledge on fashion and is behind some of the country’s most memorable exhibitions.

Architect Mark O'Dwyer, co-director of H2O Architects has established a reputation for bringing considerably more to even the most utilitarian building. H20's recent Genebank for grain storage, located in Horsham, is just one example. The colours of the surrounding landscape is beautifully integrated into the design. As memorable is H20's library, inspired by artist Howard Arkley. O'Dwyer looks outside the bounds of architecture and continually seeks inspiration in everything from fine art, theatre and fashion.

In this weeks Talking Design, Stephen Crafti talks to award winning architect Robert Simeoni about the evolving relationship between designers and builders being redefined by manufacturing technology, which now gives architects more shapes and installation methods to consider when designing.

Furniture and lighting designer Suzie Stanford worked as an investment banker in London for 10 years before turning her talents to designing furniture and lighting. Initially creating contemporary jewellery for Sir Paul Smith stores around the world, she then went on to stock Libertys and later Lane Crawford in Asia - Suzie is one of Australia's most talented designers!

Kate Stokes studied architecture before changing to Industrial Design. In 2008, she, along with her husband Haslett Grounds, founded Coco Flip. The duo create limited edition pieces and have found a strong audience with architects and designers for their crafted designs.

Eli Giannini is a Director at MGS Architects. She has strong links to RMIT, having studied architecture here in the 1980s and completing a Masters by invitation a decade later. Eli also has a fine arts degree gold and silversmithing from RMIT. In this episode of Talking Design, we discuss social housing in Melbourne, which something MGS is known for.

Architects Dom Cerantonio and Chris Stribley met at university and in 2014 they established Cera Stribley. Starting with small home renovations and now taking on large projects, the portfolio of work is both extensive and broad in range.

Originally from New Zealand, Blair Archibald has received numerous awards for his menswear, including the prestigious Victorian Premier's Design Award and the Woolmark Prize Australia and New Zealand. His bespoke clothing, sold at Masons, rarely stays on the hangers for too long!

Garden designer Rick Molino undertook a business course before switching to gardens. Initially he extended his fathers grocery business selling pot plants before launching into nurseries, including running his own called Garden Platform. He now focuses on garden design, but after years in the industry, knows where to source the right plants.

Robyn Oswald Jacobs studied textiles and printmaking at RMIT in the 1960s, a time she also discovered the work of post-war textile designer Frances Bourke. Decades later, she is collaborating with Dr. Nanette Carter in producing a book with the assistance of the Redmond Barry Scholarship.

Landscape Designer Myles Broad initially focused on music before switching to 'digging ditches' in gardens. He finally secured a position with Eckersley Garden Architecture (EGA) 16 years ago and is now Co-Director with Landscape Designer Scott Leung. As one leading architect remarks, 'EGA's work not only looks great but actually works well into the future'.