Philia
Magazine
Zanini de Zanine
Zanini de Zanine is a Brazilian designer and artist based in Rio de Janeiro whose multidisciplinary practice spans furniture, interiors, and visual arts. Drawing from Brazil’s rich cultural heritage, his work explores the relationship between materiality, craftsmanship, and contemporary design through both artisanal and industrial production methods.
Known for his sculptural approach and deep respect for natural materials, Zanini creates pieces that balance organic forms with refined construction. Whether working with reclaimed wood, handcrafted techniques, or industrial processes, his work reflects an ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation. Widely exhibited internationally and held in major museum collections, his practice continues to shape a distinctive vision of contemporary Brazilian design.
Julie Nelson
Julie Nelson is a British ceramic artist whose practice explores the natural world through the expressive materiality of clay. Drawing inspiration from biology, botany, and landscape, she creates sculptural collections that investigate the patterns, rhythms, and subtle irregularities found in nature. Working in series, Nelson presents groups of objects that contrast and complement one another, revealing the interconnected relationships that exist within natural systems.
Rooted in an exploration of elemental forms, her work reflects themes of pattern, entropy, and transformation while celebrating the quiet complexity of the environment. Alongside her sculptural collections, projects such as Flock extend her practice into participatory installations, examining ideas of migration, identity, and collective experience through the gathering of individual forms.
Ciona Lee Picks From Philia Collection
Ciona Lee is a Korean-Italian artist and designer based in London whose practice focuses on hand-built ceramics and sculptural objects. Working primarily with clay, she creates organic forms inspired by nature and the human body, balancing simplicity, texture, and material expression.
Originally introduced to ceramics in Barcelona in 2016, Lee developed her practice through self-directed exploration. Often using neutral-toned clays and minimal glazing, her work celebrates the raw qualities of the material and the spontaneity of the hand-building process, resulting in unique pieces that embrace imperfection and individuality.
Studio Ayres Picks From Philia Collection
Ayres is a Mexico City–based design studio founded by Venezuelan textile designer Karim Molina. Drawing on a multicultural background spanning Venezuela, Argentina, Italy, and Mexico, the studio creates collectible furniture and objects that explore the dialogue between nature, architecture, and sculptural form.
Working primarily with marble and lava stone, Ayres reinterprets these materials through refined textures and soft, organic forms. The studio’s collectible pieces balance durability with sensitivity, creating timeless objects distinguished by elegant materiality and quiet sophistication.
Hadge – Dieter Vlieghe
HADGE is a multidisciplinary architecture and interior design practice founded in 2020 by Belgian architect Dieter Vlieghe. After earning his Master of Architecture from KU Leuven, St. Lucas Ghent, in 2015 and collaborating with various architects and designers, Vlieghe established HADGE as a platform for exploring architecture, interiors, furniture, and object design through a highly atmospheric and artistic lens.
Rooted in a pursuit of balance between form and emotion, HADGE creates spaces and objects defined by restraint, material honesty, and timeless simplicity. The practice is guided by a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, tactile raw materials, and the subtle interplay of light, texture, and atmosphere. Through residential, artistic, and collectible design projects, HADGE seeks to create environments that are serene yet deeply evocative, where unique handcrafted pieces evolve with time, developing a patina that reflects the lives of their users.
Studio Indigene Picks From Philia Collection
Studio Indigene is an Indian design studio founded by architects Tanvi Deolekar and Shubham Mestry. Working across collectible furniture, lighting, and objects, the studio explores the relationship between clean geometries, sculptural volume, and the natural warmth of wood, creating pieces that balance minimalist forms with refined craftsmanship.
Developed in close collaboration with skilled woodworkers, each piece is meticulously handcrafted to preserve the material’s natural character while reinterpreting traditional techniques through a contemporary lens. The studio’s work is distinguished by thoughtful proportions, tactile materiality, and a timeless sculptural presence.
