Arik Ben Simhon

Tel Aviv designer Arik Ben Simhon is known for bold design pieces which reference the fashions of contemporary culture and sport. Beginning his career in design at the age of 24 he first worked on a series of commercial projects in the capital including hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. Now, after a successful international launch in 2008, he is not only considered one of the most prominent and influential designers in Tel Aviv but is widely achieving recognition on a global scale. This year’s new collection draws inspiration from the world of sport with shapes that reference the protective sportswear/pads used in hockey and skateboarding as well as polished tubular stainless steel structures inspired by gym equipment. Ben Simhon comments “For the new collection I started by looking at 1930s movement photography and juxtaposed this with fashion. Sport has been pivotal in fashion since the 70s with functional high performance sports clothing moving from the sport hall and streets to a high fashion context. I wanted to capture this with furniture that is made to the highest quality but that maintains a cool informal edge...” The collection includes sofas, easy chairs and occasional seats as well as more obscure items such as a rocking chair, children’s high chair, hammock and punching bag. Materials include full-grain fashion-quality leather in monochrome and metallic hues with flashes of colour introduced thorough ultra-bright occasional seats and bright velvet chairs. With a wink to chesterfield upholstery techniques many of the pieces are stitched and padded by hand, imparting a sense of humour often found behind these designs. Ben Simhon comments “In uncertain times I hope to evoke positive emotion and give people a piece of furniture which they will want to live with for years, an “investment piece” both from the practical aspect but also the emotional”