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We take an in-depth look at the career highlights of British designer Tom Dixon, who was recently named Maison&Objet's Designer of the Year 2014.
Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon is having a moment. The British designer, selected as Maison&Objet's Designer of the Year 2014, is kicking off the year by wielding his influence over Paris with the opening of new restaurant Eclectic and the arrival of his latest Adidas clothing collaboration in French store Merci.
Dixon, who was born in Tunisia and moved to the UK in 1963, rose to prominence in the 1980s following his work with Italian design giant Cappellini. It was during this period that he designed the 'S' chair, recognisable for its striking form, which quickly became a classic.
In 1998 he was appointed Head of Design by Habitat, with whom he worked for several years, becoming Creative Director. In 2002, following an OBE award by Queen Elizabeth II, Tom Dixon Studio was established and the brand now sells in 63 countries. It is known for contemporary designs such as the Beat light and Mirror Ball.
Cell Light by Tom Dixon Studio
Dixon admits he has always been something of a self-taught creative, explaining in recent press footage for Maison&Objet 2014 that he likes to take himself out of his comfort zone on a regular basis. For example, in restaurants he has helped design, he likes to go into the kitchen and experience being, as he says, "the lowliest staff member". It is perhaps this curiosity and willingness to start at the beginning which has propelled his career to include so many facets of design.
Known for his industrial and handcrafted aesthetic, Dixon says he has always had a commercial interest in the design process. "While the majority of designers here are more interested in the object's form, I like to sell and build them," he explains.
Recent Tom Dixon Studio designs include the ‘Y' chair, which took two years to create, and the brand's Beat light, which is now available in a contemporary brushed brass finish.
Y Chair by Tom Dixon Studio
This year sees Dixon's Design Research Studio display its talents with its first designs for a French restaurant project, Eclectic, which opened in December 2013. On January 14 the designer's capsule collection for Adidas also came to Parisian store Merci.
Tom Dixon Studio will be exhibiting at Maison&Objet Paris this January, with featured designs including the brass Form Tea Set, Tool – a set of brass architecture tools – and the new brass accessories collection Cog.
Maison&Objet Paris will take place January 24-28, 2014.
Images: Peer Lindgreen
