Designerbox saw the light in 2017 under the aegis of Tomas Erel, an entrepreneur passionate about design and architecture and keen to promote creativity and facilitate access to design (which was generally quite elitist at that point). In 2014 he was joined by Philippe Lehr, another entrepreneur passionate about making design accessible to all.
With the slightly mad aim of offering quality, designer-name objects for less than €20, Designerbox challenged the norms of publishing and distribution with its concept – unique in the world of interiors – of a monthly subscription. Each BOX showcases one designer both through the object itself and via a magazine tracing its history and production.
Far removed from the preconceived notion that design is homogenous in style, Designerbox cultivates the art of discovery and diversity. Our aim is to unearth rare pearls that help give soul to our homes – objects that all demonstrate the infinite wealth of international design. From the famous – matali crasset, Jean Nouvel and Piero Lissoni – to design’s young guard, an array of designers have answered our simple call: to produce a beautiful object, whether useful or decorative, with a beautiful history.
This indissoluble link between a designer object and its history has become Designerbox’s trademark. Our founding aim was to create relationships between objects and those who receive them, between creators and consumers. From there it was just a short step to expanding the concept to embrace direct sales of designer objects to consumers…
At a time when more and more of us are becoming ‘woke’ and seeing the benefits – for all parties – of buying direct, Designerbox has ensured the world of design has kept pace. For if this trend is good for the environment, it’s equally so for creativity – hence many designers having already moved in that direction.
As Maker culture has evolved, designers transformed into neo-artisans have now also become manufacturers/publishers, pushing through projects as personal as they are original. Alone or working as labels or collectives, well-known or emerging, thousands of talented designers are now self-editing and selling their creations directly. This has created a veritable plethora of unique products available via thousands of talented designers but, for the vast majority of consumers, difficult to find.
In keeping with its will to support creativity and to best respond to the expectations of today’s consumers, Designerbox’s dedicated platform allows:
- hand-picked designers to sell their carefully conceived, carefully manufactured objects
- the public and interiors professionals to buy exclusive, high-quality objects directly and at the best price
Combining transparency, direct sales and storytelling, Designerbox with its virtuous business model provides a viable alternative to the interiors industry’s traditional distribution methods.
Making the exclusive accessible…
Designerbox hand-picks the best international designers in order to offer you authentic products, designed and made with the utmost care by the creators themselves or by the best local artisans. Moulded, shaped or woven, every Designerbox object, whether an accessory or a piece of furniture, bespeaks unique knowledge and skills.
From decorative accessories to furniture, these are unique and precious objects available directly at accessible prices, to the delight of those who eschew mass-market items or who want to buy objects with a little more soul.
... durable ...
At Designerbox, each object is guaranteed authentic. These are objects with integrity. Made to resist the test of time and to age well, they are come with stories that can be handed down to your children and grandchildren.
... for ethical consumerism.
Objects hand-made by Europe artisans, creators and independent labels, recycled or recyclable materials, and direct logistical chains – these are all important undertakings for Designerbox.All Designerbox’s objects have something to tell us. Whether they reflect the DNA of their designer, are the expression of a trend or are the fruit of very specific skills, their vocation is to open the doors of the world of design to us, and to bring a little extra soul into our homes.
For us, each object is above all an opportunity to discover a universe – that of its designer. Designerbox’s editorial teams have the joyful task of going to meet both established and emerging talents in order to bring you inspiring portraits in our online magazine or in the magazine that comes in your Box every month… It’s a simple way of bringing you and the designers even closer together!
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