Philia
Magazine

Lee Sisan (b. 1995) is a South Korean designer and artist based in Seoul whose practice spans furniture, lighting, sculpture, and spatial design. Originally trained in interior design, he developed a deep appreciation for the natural world while studying in a landscape surrounded by mountains and rivers. Fascinated by the individuality of stone and its resistance to standardization, he explores the dialogue between nature and artificiality, tradition and modernity, translating these tensions into contemporary functional objects.

Working across materials including stone, wood, leather, and metal, Lee embraces experimentation to reveal their inherent character and expressive potential. Through a refined design language rooted in material honesty and craftsmanship, he creates sculptural works that balance purity of form with everyday function. Alongside his independent practice, he co-founded the spatial design studio PRACTICE in 2020, extending his multidisciplinary approach across architecture, interiors, and exhibition design.

Ali Budd is the founder and Creative Director of Ali Budd Interiors, a Toronto-based studio specializing in luxury residential projects across North America, including New York, Florida, and Washington D.C. Since founding the practice in 2010, Budd has become known for creating refined yet deeply livable interiors tailored to the lifestyles of her clients.

Working alongside a multidisciplinary all-women team, Ali Budd Interiors approaches design holistically, combining interior architecture, custom furniture, lighting, styling, and art curation into cohesive environments that balance beauty and functionality. The studio’s work has been internationally recognized in publications including Vogue Living and ELLE Décor, while Budd’s television series House of Ali is now streaming globally on Hulu.

Evan Jerry is a Canadian-born designer, artist, and the founder of Studio ANANSI, a London-based practice established in 2018. Drawing inspiration from art, architecture, craft, and the storytelling traditions of the African diaspora, Jerry creates sculptural furniture and objects that explore the relationship between culture, materiality, and contemporary design. Named after Anansi, the legendary figure from West African and Caribbean folklore, the studio is rooted in narrative, curiosity, and a desire to foster new cultural dialogues through form.

Through Studio ANANSI, Jerry develops works that balance artistic expression with functional design, combining refined craftsmanship with a strong conceptual foundation. His practice has gained international recognition through collaborations, exhibitions, and collectible design presentations, creating pieces that celebrate heritage, innovation, and the enduring power of storytelling.

Laurène Guarneri is a French designer and artisan based in Paris whose practice explores the poetic relationship between light, reflection, and everyday life through sculptural mirrors. A graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris-Cergy and the École Supérieure d’Arts & Médias de Caen, she creates handcrafted pieces that transform mirrors into contemplative objects, inviting a more sensitive and intuitive way of experiencing space.

Inspired by fleeting moments in nature—the changing colours of the sky, sunlight, rain, and quiet everyday observations—Guarneri develops works that celebrate simplicity, poetry, and perception. Through refined forms and meticulous craftsmanship, her mirrors preserve these ephemeral moments, encouraging viewers to pause, reflect, and rediscover the beauty found in the ordinary.

Nina Takesh is a Los Angeles–based interior designer, entrepreneur, and creative director known for her refined yet bold approach to contemporary interiors. Through her eponymous studio, she works on residential and commercial projects internationally, combining bespoke furnishings, innovative materials, and architectural sensibility.

Born in Tehran and raised in Beverly Hills, Takesh was introduced to design from an early age through her father, a renowned architect, and her international upbringing between California, France, and Switzerland. Alongside her interior design practice, she is also the founder of several successful ventures, including the luxury baby boutique Petit Tresor. Today, she continues to build an international clientele while cultivating a strong presence across social media platforms.

Studio Yolk is a Copenhagen-based art and design studio founded by Pernille Iben Linde and Morten Linde. Creating collectible furniture, lighting, and sculptural objects, the studio combines contemporary Scandinavian design with playful forms, tactile materials, and meticulous craftsmanship. Rooted in an experimental and collaborative approach, Studio Yolk develops pieces distinguished by organic forms, refined materiality, and a warm, human-centred sensibility, resulting in timeless works that balance artistic expression with everyday functionality.