Philia
Magazine

Humberto da Mata is a Brazilian designer based in São Paulo, where he founded his studio in 2012. Trained in architecture and urbanism, his practice is dedicated to the exploration of contemporary furniture, objects, papier-mâché, and ceramics through a process deeply rooted in material research and manual craftsmanship. Working closely with local artisans and small-scale industries, he develops pieces that balance experimentation with a strong sense of tactility and construction.

Driven by an ongoing investigation into materials and making techniques, da Mata creates works that blur the boundaries between design, sculpture, and craft. His collections often combine traditional handwork with contemporary forms, transforming materials such as fabric, paper pulp, ceramic, wood, and metal into expressive objects distinguished by their texture, organic presence, and playful character. Through this multidisciplinary approach, he continues to expand the possibilities of Brazilian collectible design.

Lucas and Tyra Morten are a multidisciplinary artist duo whose practice exists at the intersection of art and collectible design. Through their atelier, they create handmade furniture, objects, and sculptural works in limited editions, embracing craftsmanship as an essential part of the creative process. Their work explores the beauty of impermanence, celebrating the subtle traces of the maker’s hand and the quiet fragility inherent in materials and time.

In contrast to the precision and efficiency of industrial production, the Mortens cultivate an intuitive approach to making, where each piece carries an experiential and deeply human quality. Rooted in material experimentation and thoughtful craftsmanship, their creations invite a contemplative dialogue between object, process, and the passage of time.

Chanel Kapitanj is a Belgian designer and metalworker based in Liège, where she founded her eponymous studio in 2017. Trained in industrial design and later in welding and metal fabrication, she has developed a practice that merges collectible design, furniture, and architectural metalwork through a deeply hands-on approach.

Working primarily with steel and other metals, Kapitanj explores the balance between precision, texture, and material expression. Her work is characterized by minimalist forms, refined craftsmanship, and a fascination with the transformative possibilities of metal, from sculptural furniture and lighting to custom architectural elements.

Guided by a philosophy of restraint and material honesty, Chanel Kapitanj creates pieces that highlight the tactile and visual qualities of metal while maintaining a strong sense of simplicity, functionality, and permanence.

Patricia Bustos is a Spanish designer and founder of Patricia Bustos Studio, an interdisciplinary practice based in Madrid working across interiors, furniture, and collectible design. Guided by a pursuit of beauty and emotional experience, her work creates immersive environments that merge architecture, art, and craftsmanship, balancing functionality with a distinctly expressive visual language.

Drawing inspiration from nature, fashion, philosophy, and contemporary art, Bustos develops spaces and objects that navigate between reality and imagination. Characterized by bold colour palettes, organic forms, and a dialogue between handcrafted materials and innovative techniques, her practice reinterprets traditional craftsmanship through a contemporary lens, creating environments that are both poetic and deeply experiential.

Laura Pasquino is a ceramic artist based in Amsterdam whose practice explores the expressive potential of form, texture, and material. Having developed her practice across Kyoto, Lisbon, and now the Netherlands, she draws inspiration from the rhythms and formations of the natural world, creating works that balance sculptural presence with quiet functionality.

Working primarily with spherical forms, Pasquino creates vessels and sculptures that celebrate the spontaneity and tactile qualities of clay. Through earthy palettes, organic textures, and a refined sense of simplicity, her pieces evoke a harmonious dialogue between nature and craftsmanship. Alongside her exhibition and installation work, she collaborates on bespoke commissions for architectural spaces, interior design projects, and selected brands.