Women Who Design: Today's Powerhouses Redefining Aesthetics

As the world celebrates International Women's Day, it's the perfect time to spotlight some of the trailblazing designs by women transforming the furniture, art and lighting design world. From interior spaces to architecture, product innovation to fine arts, women are breaking barriers, redefining aesthetics, and inspiring the next generation of creatives around the world.

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Nata Janberidze and Keti Toloraia’s collaboration starts at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, where they studied Interior Design together, between 1997 – 2003. In 2007, soon after graduating, Janberidze and Toloraia established the first female-run studio in Tbilisi, Georgia working primarily on collectible objects and designing various architectural spaces.

Following the turbulences of the newly found independence, Georgia became flooded with precarious architecture, DIY extensions on social blocks and vernacular solutions to the street décor. The transformation era has been reflected in Janberidze and Toloraia’s creative thinking and gradually in their practice. Drawing inspiration from mostly Western European design principles, the duo started to work based on the international design tendencies of the times. However, in later series, such as 2016’s Wild Minimalism, the duo started to question their cultural past, going back in history as far, as the ancient and Medieval Georgian décor, or late Soviet times. Translating these old motifs into a contemporary design language, while reclaiming and re-creating a new design identity has been the studio’s one of the main fields of interest since. Ethnography, mythology, traditional and modernist elements hand-crafted using natural materials, such as: wood, stone and metal create Rooms Studio’s authentic language. This approach is vivid in their on-going Street Series, as well as, in older collections, such as, DNA Archives, Life on Earth and others. Nonetheless, re-thinking past stands as a point of departure for creating new forms and developing new ideas, which can be seen in Alchemy, or some of the ongoing series, such as the Golden Fleece.

There is a vast sculptural aspect to the Rooms Studio practice. Well represented in duo’s latest interior project, such as Gheama Restaurant, or the Sacral Geometry collection, functional objects are distinguishable in their monumentality and autonomous nature. Spatial thinking in disposition of objects in relation to architecture, puts Rooms Studio’s practice somewhere in-between modernist and symbolist styles, where the line between art, design and architecture is blurred.

Intuitive in its nature Rooms Studio’s working methodology is indirect and fluid. Working primarily on a collection-to-collection basis, with often recurring elements, creates a continuous ever-evolving body of work. As if, like in the architecture in their motherland, the historical layers are being added to one another, without abandoning and closing the previous chapters. Repetition, as one of the characteristics to the duo, reminds the viewer of their feminist approach, as well, as some of Georgia’s Oriental share of a culture. In this way, Rooms Studio creates a perfect blend of design, where East and West meet. (Written by Elene Abashidze)

Lucy Page is a sculptor based in London, having studied Fine Art & History of Art at Goldsmiths University. Creating from a studio in Somerset, her focus is on how individuals inhabit domestic spaces, exploring daily gestures, body movement, and the use of space. 

Her work involves freezing moments in motion into tangible sculptural objects, blurring the lines between life and art. Each piece is handcrafted using traditional casting techniques, with materials like food, body parts, and clay. The process is meticulous, involving sanding, polishing, and perfecting the final product by hand.

Adding soft hues and understated elegance, the Rosenborg chandelier by Akua Objects brings a blend of Murano glassmaking history and Danish design heritage to any ceiling and space. 

Commissioned for Frederick IV of Denmark, the Rosenborg chandelier graces Rosenborg Palace in Copenhagen till date, a cherished muse for Annika (Akua Objects co-founder). Departing from the ornate floral designs of the 1800s, this chandelier flaunts a contemporary silhouette and graceful swirls, with opaline glass casting a gentle, ethereal glow in amber hues. It marries Venetian allure and sleek Scandinavian sophistication, embodying timeless elegance.

Crafted on the isle of Murano with artisanal expertise, the Rosenborg Chandelier is meticulously shaped and mouth-blown by skilled artisans under the grand master's guidance. Delicate imperfections like air bubbles infuse it with authenticity and charm.

Akua Objects was founded in 2022 in Copenhagen by Annika Zobel Agerled and Josefine Arthur with a vision to create glassware as poetic objects. Objects tell the stories of people's lives, leaving lasting imprints even after they're gone, like shadows on walls. Whether it's a painting, furniture piece, vase, or another item, these physical memories are passed down through generations. 

Each collection by Akua Objects is named after someone who influenced its design, honoring their memory. In this way, design becomes more than just decorating a table or space; it's about cherishing memories and personal connections.

Designer Natalia Criado was born and raised in Colombia where she discovered her passion for design at a very young age. After pursuing studies in Industrial Design in Milan, she returned to her homeland, where her exposure to diverse Colombian cultures sparked a deep inspiration for Colombian traditions. 

With her expertise and leadership, she personally oversees the entire design  and production process of her designs. Criado's hands-on approach extends through the production stage, where she works closely with a dedicated team of skilled artisans in her own in-house facility. 

Her commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail shines through in each piece, showcasing her talent as an Industrial Designer and her passion for celebrating Colombian traditions.

The world of design is always evolving, and a new wave of emerging female designers is making a powerful impact across various disciplines. From interior design and architecture to furniture and product design, these visionary women are pushing creative boundaries, redefining aesthetics, and shaping the future.

Names like Rooms Studio, Lucy Page, Akua Objects, and Natalia Criado have won well-deserved recognition, but many other rising stars are creating equally groundbreaking work. Whether through minimalist forms, bold sculptural statements, or eco-conscious materials, they are setting new standards in creativity.

We encourage readers to explore more emerging talents on The Oblist, follow them for updates on new collections, and celebrate their contributions to the design world. Their work is not only visually striking but also deeply meaningful; it reflects the unstoppable, ever-evolving dialogue between tradition and modernity.