Women in Design

Women in design

► Pioneers: The most important female furniture designers of the 20th century
► Contemporary Design: The most important contemporary female furniture designers

Did you know that some of the most successful furniture designs were created by women? The world of furniture design has been significantly influenced by a number of visionary women who have made an impression with their personalities, innovations or circumstances, but often only quietly. It is often not known to what extent a woman has designed a work of art or piece of furniture, or to what extent she has contributed to the creative process.

Gone are the days when Charlotte Perriand introduced herself to Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret in 1927 and was dismissed with the words "We don't embroider cushions here!", may be a thing of the past, but female designers still often stand in the shadow of their male colleagues and do not receive the recognition they deserve.

It is time to honour the achievements of female design pioneers. That is why we are introducing you to some of the most important female designers and their contribution to the history of furniture design.

Pioneers: The most important female furniture designers of the 20th century

The history of modern furniture design would be inconceivable without the contributions of numerous female designers. They shaped styles, broke with conventions and set new standards in terms of functionality, use of materials and aesthetics – often against considerable resistance in a male-dominated industry. The following pioneers of the 20th century made design history with their visionary designs and bold ideas.

► Aino Aalto
► Anna Castelli-Ferrieri
► Charlotte Perriand
► Dorothee Becker
► Florence Knoll
► Eileen Gray
► Kajsa Strinning
► Lilly Reich
► Ray Eames

Aino Aalto (1894–1949)

"There are two things in architecture: humanity or nothing."

Aino Aalto (1894-1949), née Marsio, was a Finnish architect and designer who had a significant influence on Scandinavian design with her clear, functional designs and her vision of a modern lifestyle. After studying architecture at the Technical Institute in Helsinki, Aino Aalto worked for Gunnar Achilles Wahlroos and Alvar Aalto, whom she married in 1925. Together with Alvar Aalto, she founded the company Artek in 1935, a platform that brought modern design from Finland to the rest of the world. Aino Aalto's product designs, such as the iconic glassware series from 1932, which is still produced by Iittala today, as well as her furniture designs and interior designs, demonstrate her sensitivity to materials and forms and are now an integral part of Scandinavian design heritage. This designer's work is not only a testament to her creativity, but also to her courage as a woman in a male-dominated world to innovate and forge her own path.

Anna Castelli-Ferrieri (1920–2006)

"It is not true that what is useful is automatically beautiful. It is beauty that is useful. Because beauty can improve people's way of life and thinking."

The round side table Componibili, which is always preceded by its iconic reputation and which for many children in their bedrooms probably represents the beginning of a certain affinity for furniture design, was designed by the Italian Anna Castelli-Ferreri. Did you know that she was also the founder of the Italian manufacturer Kartell |Kartell designer furniture|https://www.smow.de/kartell/? In 1949, Anna and her husband Guido Castelli established the furniture manufacturer Kartell. Guido was a chemist and Anna was an architect – a win-win situation. Together, they made Kartell the world's leading manufacturer in the design and production of plastic furniture. From the 1960s onwards, Anna herself became active as a furniture designer and found joy in experimenting with plastic as a material. She became known worldwide for her modular sideboard system "Componibili".

Charlotte Perriand (1903–1999)

"The extension of the art of living is the art of living."

Who isn't familiar with the famous LC2 armchair (now marketed by Cassina under the name 2 Fauteuil Grand Confort) with its recognisable tubular steel details? However, the mental connection that one automatically makes with Le Corbusier as the designer of this coveted piece of furniture does not do justice to the achievements of Charlotte Periand, who immortalised herself in collaboration with the great creator Le Corbusier. Perriand's expertise had a significant influence on their joint work. She improved and believed in the utopia of the "new man", also through the design of a friendly living environment. She already appreciated today's teamwork back then, which is why the pioneer of everyday design often refrained from being named as the creator of the revolutionary furniture that is now iconic in contemporary furniture design: modesty and passion before ego.

Dorothee Becker (1938–2023)

„Ich bin selbstverständlich eine Feministin. Für mich bedeutet das, dass ich nicht nur die gleichen Rechte, sondern auch die gleichen Lebenschancen verlange. Und das ist auch heute noch nicht gegeben.”

Ende der 1990er Jahre entdeckte Vitra einen Designklassiker der Pop-Ära wieder: das Aufbewahrungssystem und Wandregal Uten.Silo von Dorothee Becker, das sie 1969, inspiriert von einem Spielzeug aus Holz aus formbaren Plastik für ihre Kinder entworfen hatte. Die Neuauflage verhalf der 1938 in Aschaffenburg geborenen Designerin zu einem späten Revival und zu ihrem einzigen, kommerziell erfolgreichen Design. Dorothee Beckers Tochter Claude Maurer bezeichnete ihre Mutter als Feministin. In ihrem Nachruf heißt es: „Sie (…) legte großen Wert darauf, dass ihre Töchter nicht zu ,Mädchen in Rosa‘ dressiert wurden.“ und weiter: „Sie” nutzte ”ihren ausgeprägten Sinn für Ästhetik und ihr Talent und eröffnete ein Geschäft in München-Schwabing, da sie ihren Lebensunterhalt und den ihrer Kinder (anteilig) selbst verdienen musste.“ In ihrem Geschäft verkaufte Dorothee Becker Alltagsgegenstände und Designobjekte für Haus & Garten sowie eine sorgfältig ausgewählte Sammlung von Kunstpostkarten.

Florence Knoll (1917-2019)

„Ich bin keine Dekorateurin. Der einzige Ort, den ich schmücke, ist meine Wohnung.“

Florence Knoll gehört zu den wegweisenden – und lange unterschätzten – Frauen der Designmoderne. Als Designerin, Innenarchitektin und Unternehmerin prägte sie das Erscheinungsbild amerikanischer Büro- und Wohnkultur maßgeblich. Früh von Eliel und Loja Saarinen gefördert und in Kontakt mit Gestaltern wie Le Corbusier oder Alvar Aalto, entwickelte sie eine klare, funktionale Designsprache, die bis heute stilbildend wirkt. Bei Knoll International war sie ab den 1940er-Jahren die treibende Kraft hinter Design, Architektur und Unternehmensentwicklung und formte die Marke zu einem globalen Symbol moderner Gestaltung.

Eileen Gray (1878–1976)

"To create something, you must first question everything."

Eileen Gray's Adjustable Table E 1027 is one of the most copied pieces of furniture in history. It is a prime example of classic modernism, and its countless imitations are arguably the highest form of compliment to the Irish artist. Eileen Gray managed to achieve real success despite the male-dominated 1920s. She shocked people with her furniture designs and pursued the goal of designing furniture that was in keeping with the times. Today, the headstrong architect is known more than ever for the clean lines of her furniture, which, with their characteristic interplay of chrome, tubular steel and glass, are still emblematic of classic modernism and continue to be highly sought after at auctions.

Kajsa Strinning (1922–2017)

Kajsa Strinning war maßgeblich an der Entstehung des weltberühmten String Regals beteiligt – lange Zeit jedoch wurde ihr Beitrag wenig gewürdigt. Gemeinsam mit ihrem Mann Nisse Strinning entwarf sie Ende der 1940er Jahre das modulare Regalsystem, das einen internationalen Designklassiker darstellt. Unter dem Dach der gemeinsam gegründeten Unternehmen String Design AB und Swedish Design AB entwarfen die Strinnings zahlreiche weitere Möbel. Kajsa Strinning dokumentierte die Entwürfe mit Konstruktionszeichnungen und verfeinerte deren Umsetzung. Neben ihrer Arbeit als Designerin war sie zudem eine produktive Künstlerin.

Lilly Reich (1885–1947)

„… Wesentlich wird (...) sein, daß der Geist der Frau zur Sprache kommt, die sein will, was sie ist, und nicht scheinen will, was sie nicht ist.“

Die 1885 in Berlin geborene Designerin Lilly Reich begann ihre Laufbahn mit einer Ausbildung zur Kurbelstickerin, arbeitete anschließend in den Wiener Werkstätten und gründete 1911 ein eigenes Atelier für Innenarchitektur, Kunstgewerbe und Mode in ihrer Heimatstadt. Ab 1924 gestaltete sie gemeinsam mit dem Architekten Mies van der Rohe zentrale Projekte wie die Werkbund-Ausstellung „Die Wohnung“ 1927 und die Deutsche Bau-Ausstellung 1931. Unter Reichs künstlerischer Leitung entstand 1929 auch der berühmte Barcelona-Sessel – ein Werk, das lange allein van der Rohe zugeschrieben wurde. Leider wurde ein Großteil von Reichs Archiv 1945 zerstört, während Mies van der Rohes Archiv, auch dank Lilly Reichs Engagements, erhalten blieb. Nach dem Krieg setzte sich Lilly Reich für den Wiederaufbau des Deutschen Werkbundes ein, starb jedoch 1947, kurz nach Annahme einer Professur in Berlin. Heute wird Reichs Beitrag zur modernen Designgeschichte zunehmend anerkannt, besonders ihre innovativen Arbeiten im Bereich der Innenarchitektur und des Möbeldesigns. Das MoMA in New York widmete ihr bereits 1996 eine Sonderausstellung, die ihre bedeutende Rolle in der Designgeschichte würdigte.

Ray Eames (1912–1988)

"What works well is better than what looks good, because what works well is durable."

The artist couple Ray & Charles Eames are true design icons. However, Ray always operated under the same "company name" as her husband and is still often overshadowed by him when it comes to the designs of the two designers. Ray not only supported her husband – she also created furniture and interior accessories herself and stood on equal footing with him. With her keen eye for form and colour, she was largely responsible for the well-known Eames aesthetic that the furniture still embodies today and which determines its value.

Contemporary Design: Die wichtigsten zeitgenössischen Möbel-Designerinnen

Zeitgenössisches Möbeldesign lebt von kreativen Visionen, die Material, Form und Funktion neu denken. Designerinnen auf der ganzen Welt setzen innovative Akzente, verbinden Handwerk mit Technologie, spielen mit Farben und Strukturen und schaffen Möbel, Leuchten und Objekte, die sowohl funktional als auch ästhetisch begeistern. Ihre Arbeiten prägen den Stil unserer Zeit und zeigen, wie Design den Alltag bereichern kann.

► Cecilie Manz
► Constance Guisset
►​​ Hella Jongerius
► Patrica Urquiola

Cecilie Manz

"Everything should have the right quality and functionality, but aesthetics are just as important."

Cecilie Manz is one of Denmark's most successful designers. After studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Art and Design in Helsinki, she opened her own studio in Copenhagen in 1998. Her work, ranging from furniture and lighting to glass objects, combines minimalism with inspiration from the visual arts – such as Caravaggio's contrasts or Brâncuși's volumes. Cecilie Manz has collaborated with manufacturers such as Fritz Hansen, Iittala and Bang & Olufsen, received numerous international awards, and her works are represented in important collections such as the MoMA in New York.

Constance Guisset

"In my work, I always try to create an escape from reality."

Constance Guisset is one of the defining voices of contemporary French design. Since founding her Paris studio, she has developed works that are known for their poetic lightness and keen sense of ergonomics. Whether lighting, furniture or installations, Guisset combines technical finesse with a distinctive, almost dance-like aesthetic. She has received international recognition for her Vertigo lighting collection for Petite Friture, among other things.

Hella Jongerius

"There's too much crappy design."

Hella Jongerius is considered one of the most important designers of our time. Since the 1990s, her designs have challenged the boundaries between craft, art and industry, and her expertise in materials and colour – particularly in collaboration with Vitra – has set new standards in design. Jongerius's work has a deliberately open and process-oriented feel, inviting us to see incompleteness as a creative quality. Iconic designs such as the Polder Sofa or the Long Neck and Groove Bottles showcase her unique signature style and her influence on 21st-century design.

Patricia Urquiola

"People's living rooms are our true museums."

The Spanish-born, Milan-based designer Patricia Urquiola combines architecture, technology and craftsmanship in her work to create a distinctive, people-centred design language. With her studio Urquiola, founded in 2001, she shapes international brands and develops projects ranging from furniture and interior design to large hospitality concepts. As Creative Director of Cassina, she has been providing important impetus for sustainable and future-oriented design processes since 2015.