For the second year in a row, WorkOf — the online marketplace for homewares by independent designers — has partnered with Detroit-based brand Shinola on a collection of one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments. The two companies, which both have a mission to support American design, tapped 34 designers from New York City and Los Angeles – including Chen and Kai, Wolfum, Asher Israelow and more — to create ornaments for the cause-based project.
‘These are all designers that we admire, respect and in many cases help to support. Collaborations like this one with Shinola are an opportunity for us to draw focus to this amazing pool of contemporary talent and equally as important [is that] everything ultimately goes to a valuable cause,’ says WorkOf creative director Isaac Friedman-Heiman.
The designs, ranging from a painted banana by Fort Makers to a tiny ceramic mug by Helen Levi, are being auctioned off at Paddle8.com through December 17. All of the proceeds will benefit Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, an institution dedicated to presenting art at the forefront of contemporary culture.
Each of the 34 designs feel totally unique and were created using the special techniques that are related to each designer’s craft. ‘The only control for the designers was limiting the size of each ornament to roughly 4 in x 4 in,’ explains Friedman-Heiman. ‘Beyond this, there was total creative freedom for each studio to produce whatever they wanted. What is so interesting about the resulting ornaments is that they all end up being singular and truly emblematic of the designer who produced them – and their larger design practice.’
Together, they teamed up with 34 American designers to create ornaments, with proceeds being donated to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Among the leading American designers included in the festive collaboration were Chen and Kai, Wolfum and Asher Israelow
The elegant shapes have a distinctly contemporary feel...
... but the joyful traditions of Christmas aren't lost – familiar designs and motifs are still very much in use
The colourful, lighthearted designs are being auctioned at Paddle8.com on 17 December
The designers had complete creative control over the project – their only limit was the 4 square inch size limit (although some chose to stretch this...)
INFORMATION
For more information visit, WorkOf’s website. To participate in the auction, visit Paddle 8’s website
-
Alexandre de Betak on getting lost to find himself in LondonAs the world-renowned artistic director opens his first personal studio in London during Frieze Week, Alexandre de Betak reflects on leaving the fashion runway behind to explore light, space and creative freedom
-
Step inside Faye Toogood's intimate cabinet of curiosities at PAD LondonFor PAD London 2025, (until 19 October) Faye Toogood presents The Magpie’s Nest with Friedman Benda
-
Vivo launches OriginOS 6, for a smooth and intelligent mobile experienceSuperior AI, next-level graphics and a seamless user experience make this Vivo’s most sophisticated operating system yet
