PHILIA MAGAZINE

Herma de Wit is a Dutch artist based in Amsterdam, where she works between her city studio and a countryside retreat. Before dedicating herself fully to art in 1996, she built a career in fashion and founded her own label, HERMA DE WIT. Drawing on this technical background, her practice ranges from intimate works on paper to monumental sculptural installations, united by a deep sensitivity to material and form.

Nature lies at the heart of De Wit’s work. Through delicate prints of collected leaves, flowers, and branches, she explores the quiet poetry and spiritual resonance of the natural world. Her sculptures, often shaped from clay and earth, pay homage to the elemental origins of life and the enduring connection between humanity and the environment. Rooted in themes of growth, memory, and belonging, her work reflects a profound reverence for the forces that sustain and connect us.

Lupo Horiōkami (b. 1979, Venice) is an Italian artist and designer whose practice bridges tattooing, sculpture, and collectible design. After more than two decades dedicated to tattoo art, including extensive study in Japan, he developed a multidisciplinary approach shaped by Japanese aesthetics, Zen philosophy, and the concept of impermanence. His work explores the relationship between the body, object, and space, translating the visual language of tattooing into sculptural forms and functional design.

Guided by a deep understanding of craftsmanship, materiality, and perception, HORIŌKAMI creates works that balance artistic expression with function. Drawing from architecture, traditional making techniques, and the symbolic qualities of form, his practice investigates how objects communicate through their presence, inviting a contemplative dialogue between design, culture, and the human experience.

Hannes Peer is an architect and designer from South Tyrol, Italy, and the founder of Hannes Peer Architecture, a Milan-based studio established in 2009. Educated at the Politecnico di Milano and the Technical University of Berlin, he refined his approach through collaborations with influential practices, including OMA in Rotterdam and Zvi Hecker in Berlin.

Guided by a philosophy of eclecticism, Peer’s work bridges architecture, interiors, and product design, combining historical references, craftsmanship, and contemporary innovation. His projects range from hospitality and residential spaces to international brand collaborations, all distinguished by a rich material language and a strong sensitivity to atmosphere. Drawing on his background as a trained carpenter, Peer approaches design through both conceptual rigor and hands-on experimentation, creating spaces that balance functionality, sensory experience, and timeless character.

Kevin Frankental is a South African designer and the co-owner and Creative Director of Lemon. Working across furniture and collectible design, his practice is rooted in a profound appreciation for natural materials and the enduring relationship between craftsmanship and time. Guided by an intuitive understanding of stone, wood, and other earth-derived materials, he creates pieces that reveal their intrinsic character while balancing sculptural expression with functional clarity.

Through his work, Frankental explores the idea of timelessness—not as a stylistic pursuit, but as a lasting dialogue between material, form, and making. His designs embrace authenticity, restraint, and permanence, creating objects that transcend trends and celebrate the enduring beauty of nature and craftsmanship.

Rebecca James is the founder and creative force behind Rebecca James Studio, a practice known for crafting distinctive, character-driven interiors that balance timeless elegance with a contemporary sensibility. Drawing inspiration from both the past and present, her work reflects a thoughtful dialogue between architecture, fashion, art, and the personal stories of her clients.

Recognised for bold yet refined compositions, Rebecca approaches each project with meticulous attention to detail, creating spaces that feel layered, harmonious, and deeply individual. Her interiors are often defined by rich materiality, expressive contrasts, and a carefully curated sense of atmosphere.

A passionate admirer of Impressionist and Contemporary Art, Rebecca also enjoys painting in her spare time, an artistic sensitivity that continues to inform her creative approach and visual language.

Lisa Allegra is a French designer and artist based in Barcelona whose practice explores the intersection of sculpture, furniture, and everyday objects. A graduate of the École des Arts Décoratifs in France, she creates handcrafted collections of furniture and lighting that investigate balance, materiality, and the quiet presence of form. Working primarily with clay alongside textiles and wood, Allegra combines craftsmanship with a minimalist sensibility, creating timeless pieces that celebrate tactile materials, thoughtful making, and the poetry of everyday life.

Founded by John Proctor and Mike Shaw, Proctor & Shaw is a London-based architecture practice known for creating transformative spaces defined by thoughtful simplicity, refined materiality, and a sensitive use of light and form. The studio approaches each project with a balance of creative ambition and pragmatic thinking, delivering tailored architectural solutions shaped around the specific needs of its clients.

Before founding the practice, John Proctor graduated with Distinction from the University of Nottingham and worked with several award-winning UK studios, including Softroom, where he led the delivery of the Sackler Centre for Arts Education at the V&A Museum, recipient of an RIBA Award in 2010. Today, Proctor & Shaw continues to develop award-winning projects that combine careful craftsmanship with a deeply considered spatial experience.

Kevin Frankental is a South African designer and the co-owner and Creative Director of Lemon. Working across furniture and collectible design, his practice is rooted in a profound appreciation for natural materials and the enduring relationship between craftsmanship and time. Guided by an intuitive understanding of stone, wood, and other earth-derived materials, he creates pieces that reveal their intrinsic character while balancing sculptural expression with functional clarity.

Through his work, Frankental explores the idea of timelessness—not as a stylistic pursuit, but as a lasting dialogue between material, form, and making. His designs embrace authenticity, restraint, and permanence, creating objects that transcend trends and celebrate the enduring beauty of nature and craftsmanship.

BehaghelFoiny is a design studio founded by Antoine Behaghel and Alexis Foiny. Based in Paris, both designers specialize in the creation of limited-edition furniture pieces. 

The duo explores the boundaries of the design discipline by combining traditional craftsmanship with unconventional materials. Their creations emanate from a spontaneous and playful approach to texture and color, leading them to work, in particular, with colored plaster and carved wood. BehaghelFoiny collaborated with Galerie Philia on the “Design Brut” co-creation project with kids in the South of France, and is currently in residence at Les Ateliers de Paris. 

Richard Parr is the founder of Richard Parr Associates (RPA), a RIBA-chartered architecture and design practice established in 1994, with studios in London and the Cotswolds. Known for its thoughtful approach to contemporary and historic residential and hospitality projects, the practice creates timeless spaces that balance luxury, comfort, craftsmanship, and contemporary design intelligence.

Led by Richard Parr and a multidisciplinary team of architects and designers, RPA’s work ranges from contemporary new builds to extensive restoration projects, including the award-winning Farmyard at The Newt. Rooted in a quiet, modern traditionalist sensibility, the studio places longevity, locality, and human experience at the heart of its architecture.

Daniel Poole is a bespoke furniture designer in Melbourne, Australia. Providing bespoke design consultancy, design strategy, and development combined with a comprehensive in-house master cabinet-making studio. Daniel Poole studied Industrial Design at RMIT University, followed by a qualification in Cabinet-Making. Daniel Poole PL commissions are certified with authenticity.

Daniel Orozco is a Mexican designer whose practice explores the relationship between materiality, form, and everyday objects. Guided by a process of experimentation and introspection, he creates furniture, objects, and interiors that reinterpret familiar forms through a contemporary lens.

Through Daniel Orozco Estudio, he works across collectible design, interior design, and custom furniture, often collaborating with artisans and manufacturers to develop pieces distinguished by their rich textures, natural materials, and sculptural presence. His work reflects a commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and the creative potential of collaboration.

Benni Allan is the founder of EBBA, a London-based practice established in 2016 that brings together architecture, interiors, furniture, and product design through a deeply material and craft-driven approach. Born and raised in Spain and educated at the Bartlett School of Architecture, Allan was named One to Watch by the British Design Council in 2015 and received the RIBA Journal Rising Stars Award in 2019.

Under Allan’s direction, EBBA has developed a diverse body of work spanning residential, cultural, and retail projects for clients and institutions, including Adidas, Erdem, Tate Modern, the Royal Academy, TFL, and the V&A. Alongside the studio’s architectural practice, Allan also leads EBBA Objects, an experimental platform dedicated to furniture and product design.

In addition to practice, Allan lectures at the University of Greenwich and regularly serves as a guest critic at institutions including the Bartlett School of Architecture, the Royal College of Art, and the Cass. He is also the co-founder of AORA, a virtual gallery focused on wellbeing and mental serenity, and Atavola, a concept connecting creatives through shared dining experiences.

Ksenia Emelianova is a Russian-born and Italy-based artist and designer. She creates collectible design objects that transmit emotion and authenticity through shape. Overseeing every stage of her creative process, from conception to final finish and signature, Ksenia ensures each piece is a true reflection of her vision.

Emelianova studied visual arts in Kaliningrad, Russia, and interior design at IED in Milan. She then worked for the architect Massimo Adario in Rome. In 2014, she founded Emelianova Studio, a 360-degree studio for interiors, projects, and product management.

In 2018, combining her sensibility for art and design with a deep understanding of materials and craftsmanship, Ksenia began to explore her vision through the creation of collectible design objects and presented her first collection – Distortion Series Vol I at the collectible fair in Bruxelles in 2020.

Henry Prideaux is a London-based interior designer known for creating layered and characterful interiors that balance classic elegance with contemporary sensibility. With a strong appreciation for colour, texture, pattern, and decorative detail, his work combines carefully curated antique and modern pieces to create spaces that feel authentic, refined, and deeply personal.

After gaining experience at several of the industry’s leading design studios, Prideaux founded Henry Prideaux Interior Design in 2014. The studio specializes in bespoke residential and boutique commercial projects, offering a highly personalized approach tailored to each client and space.

Alexander Díaz Andersson is a Swedish-born designer and the founder of ATRA, currently working between Mexico City and Los Angeles. Trained in industrial design, his multidisciplinary practice spans collectible furniture, sculpture, interiors, and hospitality projects, distinguished by a dynamic balance between structure and spontaneity, fluidity, and function.

Drawing from a background shaped by Scandinavia, Spain, and Mexico, Díaz Andersson combines formal design training with material experimentation and an intuitive creative process. Guided by a deep interest in craftsmanship, history, and human experience, he creates works that are both expressive and functional, while exploring the relationship between objects, space, and everyday life.

Olivia Cognet is a French artist and designer whose ceramic practice spans collectible furniture, lighting, and sculpture. Based in Vallauris in the south of France, she creates handcrafted works that balance geometric precision with organic forms, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean craftsmanship, modernist architecture, and the natural landscapes of California and the Côte d’Azur.

Working primarily with stoneware, Cognet explores the expressive qualities of clay through textured surfaces, crackled glazes, and refined compositions. Her practice reinterprets the traditions of decorative arts through a contemporary lens, creating sculptural objects distinguished by their material richness, poetic presence, and timeless elegance.

Lori Morris is a Canadian interior designer and the founder of Lori Morris Design, a Toronto-based studio internationally recognized for its bold and highly expressive luxury interiors. Renowned for her “no rules” approach to design, Morris creates richly layered residential and commercial spaces defined by glamour, craftsmanship, and an avant-garde sensibility.

Her work is distinguished by dramatic compositions, bespoke detailing, and a fearless use of texture, material, and form, resulting in interiors that feel both opulent and deeply personal. Supported by an in-house team of designers, decorators, and project managers, Lori Morris Design delivers immersive spaces tailored to each client’s lifestyle while maintaining an exceptional level of refinement and artistry.

Rafael Freyre is a Peruvian architect, artist, and designer whose multidisciplinary practice explores the convergence of architecture, art, and spatial storytelling. Educated at Ricardo Palma University in Lima before completing a Master of Fine Arts through Plymouth University and the Piet Zwart Institute, his work is informed by research into migration, mobility, and the cultural narratives embedded within space. Today, he leads RF Studio, where architecture and art are developed as complementary forms of expression.

Working across architecture, interiors, exhibitions, and artistic installations, Freyre creates projects that balance conceptual depth with material sensitivity. Drawing on experience spanning Europe, the United States, and Latin America—including collaborations with Massimo Fuksas and theater director Robert Wilson—his practice investigates the relationship between place, movement, and human experience, resulting in environments that merge artistic vision with architectural precision.

Emily Fotheringham is the founder and Creative Director of a Glasgow-based award-winning interior design studio established in 2012. Specializing in residential interiors and architectural design for private clients and property developers, the practice is known for creating refined and timeless spaces distinguished by a subtle sense of luxury.

Led by Fotheringham, the studio brings together a multidisciplinary team of interior designers and architects whose combined expertise informs a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach to design. Balancing creativity with functionality, the studio develops interiors that feel elegant, contemporary, and enduring.

Lost Profile Studio is a Melbourne-based design practice founded by Oliver Wilcox in 2017. Working across collectible furniture, lighting, hardware, and curated vintage pieces, the studio explores the dialogue between historical references and contemporary design. Its name, inspired by the artistic concept of the profil perdu (“lost profile”), reflects a fascination with suggestion, restraint, and the enduring character of objects.

Guided by Wilcox’s multidisciplinary background in art, design, and curation, Lost Profile creates refined collections influenced by Art Deco elegance, industrial utility, and timeless craftsmanship. Through a thoughtful balance of sculptural form, tactile materials, and understated detailing, the studio develops pieces that celebrate heritage, material honesty, and the quiet poetry of everyday living.

Marea Hildebrand (b. 1989) is a Zurich-based ceramic artist whose practice explores the quiet dialogue between material, process, and form. Trained in Fine Arts and Transdisciplinary Studies at the Zurich University of the Arts, she creates hand-built ceramic vessels using the traditional coil technique, developing monumental works distinguished by richly layered surfaces achieved through multiple firings, painting, and rhythmic etching. Embracing the beauty of imperfection and transience, her work draws inspiration from Japanese and Korean aesthetics, Abstract Art, and the philosophy of wabi-sabi, creating contemplative pieces that evoke stillness, presence, and a deep connection to natural materials.