Cover There is no stopping creatives Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco. In this interview, they tell us the importance of working with people who share the same ideals
There is no stopping creatives Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco. In this interview, they tell us the importance of working with people who share the same ideals
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There is no stopping creatives Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco. In this interview, they tell us the importance of working with people who share the same ideals
In the world of design, the names Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco are reputable. The duo has worked on sought-after projects and they have no plans of stopping soon. When they met at a dinner party in 2012 and immediately hit it off. Since then, Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco were inseparable.
“I enjoy a good laugh and Gabby has a distinct sense of humour,” Nazareno says of Lichauco. What sets their creative partnership apart is their ability to create a playful, joyous energy in everything they do. “There is certainly lots of laughter—we enjoy working together as well as with the clients we choose,” she adds.
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In 2016, the duo established Nazareno/Lichauco and worked together in developing new product designs and concepts such as the 2019 Philippine participation at the Maison et Objet Paris under Kindred Design Collective for Citem’s Design Philippines. They have also curated the 2020 design exhibition ITIM: Material Manipulations in Black, originally slated for Milan Design Week’s Fuorisalon, and reinstalled in Manila and online at FAME Plus.
“Our intention for Nazareno/ Lichauco is to develop our potential, both individually and as partners,” Lichauco says. “There is a limit to working alone sometimes but working with someone with the same wavelength just pushes you to be better.”
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Above Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco
Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco
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How is your working dynamic?
GL: How we communicate plays a big role in our design language.
RN: The conceptualisation with Gabby is one of my favourite parts in our process and that’s for whatever we are designing—whether objects, bags or even spaces. I enjoy our discussions and the back-and-forth in the beginning stages of a project.
The process can be quite random which makes it interesting and we also appreciate each other’s temperament. We bring different things to the table as well. Gabby is a morning person and I’m a night person, he’s restrained and I’m not so; that dichotomy makes for a rather fascinating design partnership.
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What are your favourite works so far?
GL: The Nazareno/Lichauco Column Stool in hand-carved wood is one of my favourites—as well as the Nazareno/Lichauco Crumpled Paper installation in porcelain.
RN: The Candy Lamps by Zacarias 1925 x Gabby Lichauco is on the top of my list. I also get a kick out of the Vintage Tools in Bone China every time I see it.
What are the most important lessons you have learnt from each other?
GL: Rita brings in positivity and lightness.
RN: I’m in awe of how Gabby can absorb and observe so acutely. And how he always has my back unreservedly. How important is it to have a colleague who supports and understands the type of art you want to make?
GL and RN: It is extremely important to have a partner who has the same vibe, who also lets you be and has a deep sense of awareness.
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What are the challenges both of you face as designers? Why?
GL: The challenge is getting support for a more creative vision.
RN: It will be great to have more people and institutions be more “It will be great to have more people and institutions be more receptive to design and creativity as an integral part of their constitution”.
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What pieces of advice do you have for budding designers?
GL: Try everything, every creative avenue you can get into and decide which ones you want to pursue.
RN: Find joy and be kind. Having an emotional connection to a piece is important. I encourage my students to look at Dieter Rams’ 10 Principles for Good Design—aesthetic, honest, long-lasting.
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Credits
Images: Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco
Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
