Cover A meal served on OWIU Goods for an LA pop-up event with Japanese chef Tomoko Imade Dyen
A meal served on OWIU Goods for an LA pop-up event with Japanese chef Tomoko Imade Dyen
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Tatler Homes chat with Amanda Gunawan, Singapore-raised co-founder of Los Angeles-based OWIU Design, about the architecture and design studio’s celebrity-favourite ceramic brand, OWIU Goods
OWIU Goods’ forest glaze series of pottery captures the multifarious shades of the tree canopy, blending moss, olive, pine and sage into captivating gradients on the smooth surfaces of plates and matcha bowls. In contrast, the depths of the ocean inspired the contemplative, blackened dark coastal glaze.
These are some experiments by OWIU Goods. OWIU stands for Only Way Is Up. The brand was started by Joel Wong and Amanda Gunawan, who run the LA-based architecture and design studio OWIU Design. Some of the studio’s projects include the tranquil backyard of celebrity couple Henry Golding and Liv Lo in Los Angeles, as well as F&B spots such as Goho Kaiseki & Bar, Mezcla and Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh in Singapore.
The duo and their staff make the ceramics in their office in Los Angeles. Retailed in LA and online, OWIU Goods’ fans include fashion entrepreneur Aimee Song, who customised a set for her new home in Los Angeles. This year, the brand extended its presence to Japan with five pop-ups in Tokyo–two at Parker Café and three at Isetan Shinjuku. Currently, the OWIU Goods Holiday Pop-Up is happening at the latter and will run until 4 January 2024.
In light of the event, Gunawan shares more about the brand’s origins and ambitions.
In case you missed it: A peek into Henry Golding and Liv Lo’s recent home renovation in Los Angeles
Above OWIU Goods has become a celebrity-favourite brand
Above The Forest glaze series
OWIU Goods has become a celebrity-favourite brand
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How did OWIU Goods come about?
The pandemic resulted in a construction boom, so we had a lot of jobs during that period. I wanted to find a way to reward my staff while also taking care of their mental health and providing an outlet to de-stress. Ceramic making was the perfect means—it’s creative, a great team-bonding activity and really forces people to become present and disconnect from the rest of the world. Hence, we got everyone a membership at a nearby ceramics studio.
Above The OWIU Goods team (Photo: Alexandra Lopez)
Above An OWIU Goods matcha workshop in a Tokyo shop called Parker
The OWIU Goods team (Photo: Alexandra Lopez)
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What are some experiments the staff have done with ceramics?
We try out new things all the time, such as new glazes. We’ve recently started harvesting our local clay from California, driving out of the city with spades and digging up our own clay. We bring them back to our studio to process them and then use them to make some of our items. We’ve also experimented with crushing rocks, mixing them into different clays, and then firing at different temperatures to see the results.
Above OWIU Goods at Isetan Tokyo
Above The organised chaos in the studio
OWIU Goods at Isetan Tokyo
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What are some of your personal favourites?
I spend a lot of time around trees and the forest, feeling a lot of comfort in that setting, so it is no surprise that I am drawn to the forest glaze the most. It is also the most popular glaze among buyers.
Above OWIU Goods ceramics lend a wabi-sabi touch into the tablescape
Above A slice of chef Tomoko Imade Dyen's layered cake served on OWIU Goods plate
OWIU Goods ceramics lend a wabi-sabi touch into the tablescape
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What do you personally look out for when shopping for ceramics?
I look at the form, the glaze and the uniqueness. But above all, with objects, I value sentiment; I need to have an attachment to the piece of ceramic. It’s a feeling more than anything else. Japan is my favourite place to shop for ceramics, particularly Kyoto, Shigaraki and Kanazawa.
Above Japanese chef Tomoko Imade Dyen's dishes served on OWIU Goods ceramics
Above OWIU Goods at Isetan Tokyo pop up
Japanese chef Tomoko Imade Dyen's dishes served on OWIU Goods ceramics
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Can you discuss how the goods are related to your spatial projects?
As architects, it is the most incredible feeling in the world to have access to the medium of clay and be able to create any products we want. It opens up a world of creative possibilities and potential design outcomes. When a product we envision for our spaces doesn’t exist in the market, we can simply make it, such as decorative moon platters for our newly completed project, Korean restaurant Baroo in LA.
Above A poetic corner at Baroo Korean Restaurant
Above The cosy bar at Baroo
A poetic corner at Baroo Korean Restaurant
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What ambitions do you have for OWIU Goods?
None. I just want it to continue to be an outlet for what we love doing, and to continue [making ceramics]. OWIU Goods has become so much more than just a retail brand. It’s a collective of people with a shared vision and a creative think-tank for experimentation and innovation using clay. The results and growth [of the brand] are simply by-products of this mission.
Above The cosy interior of Baroo
Above A meal served on OWIU Goods for an LA pop-up event with Japanese chef Tomoko Imade Dyen
The cosy interior of Baroo
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What projects is the studio working on currently?
We just released two new glazes for our Matter collection. We will also be releasing a whole line of glazes inspired by our spring office trip to Japan. Next year, we will offer candles with scents that correspond to our landscapes and new items to our lines, such as smaller teacups and pasta bowls. On top of that, we are constantly working on exciting collaborations with brands that we love!
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Credits
Photography: Justin Chung, unless otherwise stated
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