Objects Are By unite creatives with artisans to create a new world of product design
Milan-based brand Studio Objects Are By is introducing a novel idea to the design process. They're asking: What if you let an artist, an actor or a chef moonlight as a product designer?
![Objects Are By Milan Design Week](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QcrRPrJbnNthidX8vJeGJA-415-80.jpg)
Jenny D Pham and Phil America of Milan-based studio Objects Are By, are introducing a novel idea to the design process. They’re asking: what if you let an artist, an actor or a chef moonlight as a product designer?
‘If you’re a musician, nobody ever wants to see you make a clothing line,’ says artist Phil America, explaining the concept behind his and partner Jenny D Pham’s new design brand, Objects Are By. ‘But every creative, at some point, wants to break out of their box – to try new things and experiment.’
It was from this desire to freely shift between mediums that Objects Are By was born. The brand’s premise is simple: working as curators, Objects Are By pairs a creative person with an artisan or manufacturer to realise an object within the domestic realm. ‘What would happen if you bridged these worlds?’ asks America. ‘I think a lot of people want to do that, but we wanted to lean into the unknown a lot more.’
Objects Are By at Milan Design Week
Jenny D Pham and Phil America
America and Pham founded Objects Are By in Milan in 2022, as an adjunct to their own flourishing careers. Pham is a successful brand consultant who previously worked for Versace and Adidas Originals, and America is an artist who has shown his paintings, photography and installations in galleries and museums across the globe. The pair met and fell in love in California, where America was living and where Pham – who was born in Munich but grew up in LA – would travel often for work. When Pham took on her role at Versace in 2020, they relocated to Milan.
The idea for the project came about when the couple were faced with designing their own space. ‘We started renovating our home nearly a year ago and began to ask ourselves which objects represented us,’ says Pham. ‘We were filling our space with a lot of Italian designers and we thought it would be fun to make something ourselves – and bring our creative friends along in the process.’ The first collection, which Pham and America designed themselves, was a homage to the Milan subway system. The series of vessels, trays and carafes mimicked the forms and yellow, red and green colour scheme of the metro, designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg in 1964. Their second, in collaboration with artist Elena Flores, features a set of jacquard blankets woven with AI-generated images.
Made in Vietnam with reused water, Objects Are By’s latest tableware collection features flames and dragon motifs by digital artist Babybrusher
The latest collection was produced in collaboration with digital artist Babybrusher, who is known for his graffiti-inspired airbrush paintings. The artist’s vibrant illustration of flames and dragons will be digitally printed on to a ceramic dinnerware produced in Vietnam. ‘After sampling porcelain in China, Germany, Italy and Vietnam, we chose Vietnam,’ explains America. ‘It was the best quality and most sustainable we could find. The pieces will be produced with reused water and will be free from animal products, unlike most bone china.’
Moving forward, Pham and America stress that they’re not interested in treating Objects Are By like a conventional brand. ‘Our mission is to foster creative freedom,’ reflects America. ‘Most creatives can’t sit still,’ adds Pham. ‘They’re always going to make something, no matter what.’
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Viewing by appointment only, objectsareby.com
Sha Ribeiro for Objects Are By
Laura May Todd, Wallpaper's Milan Editor, based in the city, is a Canadian-born journalist covering design, architecture and style. She regularly contributes to a range of international publications, including T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Azure and Sight Unseen, and is about to publish a book on Italian interiors.
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
The Mercury Prize nominees for 2024 have been revealed
Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons are amongst this year's nominees
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
Elevate your interiors with Wallpaper* July 2024, the Design Directory
Wallpaper* July 2024 rounds up the best new furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms and more – on sale now
By Bill Prince Published
-
Casa Mutina displays Ronan Bouroullec's creative universe
Ronan Bouroullec's designs for Mutina at Milan Design Week 2024 include outdoor tiles as well as ceramic editions
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Jaipur Rugs unveils collaboration with Chanel's yarn maker Vimar1991
During Milan Design Week 2024, Jaipur Rugs demonstrated its expertise through a collaboration with Chanel-owned yarn experts Vimar1991
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Wallpaper* and SNOW explore the alchemy of grown diamonds in a new film
Wallpaper* and grown-diamond specialist SNOW partnered on the Class of ’24 exhibition during Milan Design Week 2024 and a new film exploring the art and alchemy of the laboratory’s process
By Simon Mills Published
-
Adal brings Japan's disappearing natural materials to furniture design
Japanese brand Adal Look into Nature exhibited for the first time at Salone del Mobile 2024, showcasing its contemporary products made using igusa, a traditional material whose manufacturing is slowly disappearing
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Toiletpaper Apartment debuts in Milan with a 'sophisticated' Alex Prager collaboration
Toiletpaper present 'ToiletAlex PaperPrager' their new unsettling projects on the occasion of Milan Design Week 2024
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Japan in Milan: the best of Japanese design at Milan Design Week 2024
Discover the best of Japanese design showcasing innovative designs from terrazzo tables to tree-inspired textiles at Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile 2024
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
The new interior design trends we spotted at Salone del Mobile 2024
These are the interior design trends to look out for in 2024 and beyond, from soft upholstery to conversation pits and low dining
By Rosa Bertoli Published