With International Women’s Day around the corner, let’s take a moment to celebrate the powerhouse female designers transforming the world of commercial furniture. Their creativity, innovation, and vision have redefined spaces where we work, gather and connect.
FRONT Studio
FRONT Studio, is a Swedish design duo known for their innovative and playful approach to furniture and product design, often merging art, technology, nature and functionality. As Anna explains, “Our work is about creating objects that invite interaction. We want to encourage people to engage with the design in a way that they haven’t before—by being playful, surprising, or even challenging,” highlighting their focus on engaging and thought-provoking designs.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
The Ori Modular Sofa by FRONT Design for EFG is a showstopper—sculptural, striking, and just the right amount of dramatic. Inspired by the art of origami, its bold folded form creates a sense of movement, making it as much a conversation piece as it is a place to sit. We love using it as a statement piece in receptions and foyers, where its eye-catching design sets the tone for a space that’s both creative and inviting.
TOOGOOD Studio
Faye Toogood is a British designer redefining furniture with sculptural, raw forms that blur the line between art and function. Critiquing industrial design, she states, “The way we’re designing and manufacturing is broken,” a philosophy she explored in her ‘Manufracture’ exhibition at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2025. Through hands-on, imperfect processes, she challenges mass production, advocating for a return to craftsmanship and human touch.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
The Puffy Lounge Chair by Faye Toogood for Hem is like a warm hug in furniture form—soft, generous, and impossible to resist. We love how its oversized, cloud-like upholstery drapes effortlessly over the sleek steel frame, creating contrast between industrial edge and pure, sink-in comfort. It’s playful, a little rebellious, and proof that great design doesn’t have to take itself too seriously.
Studio Urquiola
Patricia Urquiola is a visionary Spanish designer known for her playful approach to form, colour, and materiality, seamlessly blending industrial innovation with artisanal craftsmanship. As she puts it, “For me, design is about being open to playful thinking, to being curious and flexible”—a philosophy that defines her bold, boundary-pushing creations.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
The Bolete Lounge BIO® by Patricia Urquiola reimagines seating by blending organic form with sustainability, offering a space that encourages conversation and unexpected moments of privacy. Its sculptural central base, crafted from 100% natural origin BIO® thermopolymer, is not only striking with its grooved texture but also fully recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable, making it a standout piece in eco-conscious design.
Emma Olbers Design
Emma Olbers is a Swedish designer pioneering sustainable furniture and interiors with a strong focus on circular design and responsible materials. Her philosophy, “Form should follow the Planetary Boundaries,” ensures that aesthetics and environmental impact go hand in hand.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
The Tellus Bench by Emma Olbers for Vestre is a pioneering achievement in sustainable design, crafted from 100% fossil-free steel—a world-first in furniture production. Blending durability with a minimal yet inviting aesthetic, this bench embodies Olbers’ commitment to eco-conscious innovation and timeless design.
A special thank you to Front design, Studio Urquiola, @Emma Olmers & Faye Toogood for their innovative contributions to the world of furniture design. While their styles vary, they share a common philosophy: a deep respect for materiality, storytelling, and the emotional connection between people and design.
A key part of these designers’ success lies in the support of brands that champion their work, bringing their visionary designs to a wider audience. Leading furniture brands like Andreu World, Tom Dixon Studio, EFG European Furniture Group AB, Kvadrat, OFFECCT, Flokk, Driade, Hem, Kartell, Tre Sekel Möbelsnickeri, and Vestre play a crucial role in translating their ideas into reality. By investing in innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship, these brands help push the industry forward while ensuring that ground breaking design is accessible and celebrated.
Despite their differences, these designers share a commitment to pushing boundaries, whether through material experimentation, sustainability, or reimagining everyday objects. Their work proves that great design is not just about aesthetics but about storytelling, responsibility, and human connection. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, their contributions remind us that design, at its best, is limitless.
Featured Brands include: Andreu World, Tom Dixon Studio, EFG European Furniture Group AB, Kvadrat, OFFECCT, Flokk, Driade, Hem, Kartell, Tre Sekel Möbelsnickeri, Vestre
