Are we ready for a new luxury in design
— Gesa Hansen, Furniture and interior designer
Published:
2.14.2023
Photo:
Nathalie Mohadjer
Gesa Hansen is a German-Danish designer based in Paris. Graduated from the Bauhaus University she made her class working for Jean Nouvel and studio H5. Following a long family tradition of Danish designers, she founded her design studio: The Hansen Family. She is being awarded by two Red Dot Design Awards and a Good Design Award.
Can you describe yourself quickly?
I am a German-Danish designer Furniture and interior Designer.
What are your favorite subjects?
Definitely sustainable design. How in our modern world it has become essential to create and imagine long lasting design pieces that are ecologically sourced and produced, with the minimum impact on the planet.
What would be an emerging topic that for you will be important in our very near future?
For me it is truly key to make a complete paradigm shift about our relationship with objects. True luxury in the years to come will only be about owning timeless design objects that can stand the passing of time. Every creation should be meaningful and able to survive fashion trends and of course be produced using local materials and local craftsmanship.
What is at stake?
It’s really up to us, designers, to change the customer's attitude, by explaining how valuable it is to acquire something rare and sustainable at the same time. The concept of rarity of material dear to the luxury word will keep shifting towards a rarity of savoir faire. For example: Straw inlay is a good example, how basic basic this material is, in the right hands it could become a true work of art.
What changes, what opportunities can this bring?
Local craftsmanship will become the perfect antidote to globalization and normalisation of styles and trends. The more this movement will grow the more we will see emerge stronger and fresher design personalities from everywhere in the world This all trend will generate at the same time new opportunities to boost employment rate by creating works machine can’t do, and protecting ancient savoir-faire at the same time.
What are the brakes, the dangers?
The capitalist way of producing short lifespan products will have to adapt. It will not be that easy but if designers at the top of the line will all agree it’s a start.
“True luxury in the years to come will only be about owning timeless design objects that can stand the passing of time”
Who are the players in this market?
About my exemple of straw inlay, check the work of Lison de Caunes it is a good example.
How did you come into contact with this issue?
How can we not, to be honest.
Where can we find out more?
Check the instagram @bonpote
