Marcel Wanders

Designer of a New Age at O2TODAY

My experience and deep interests:

• Education (Adults)

I am based in: Amsterdam

Dubbed by the New York Times as the “Lady Gaga of Design,” I am an Amsterdam-based (Boxtel, Netherlands, 1963) prolific product and interior designer and art director, with over 1700+ projects to my name for private clients and premium brands such as Alessi, Bisazza, Kosé Corporation/Cosme Decorte, KLM, Flos, Swarovski, Puma, among scores of others.

Regarded by many as an anomaly in the design world, I have made it my mission to “create an environment of love, live with passion and make our most exciting dreams come true.” My work excites, provokes, and polarises, but never fails to surprise for its ingenuity, daring and singular quest to uplift the human spirit, and entertain.

My chief concern is bringing the human touch back to design, ushering in what I call design’s ‘new age;’ in which designer, craftsperson and user are reunited. In my process, I defy design dogma, preferring instead of focus on holistic solutions rather than the technocratic. In my universe, the coldness of industrialism is replaced instead by the poetry, fantasy and romance of different ages, vividly brought to life in the contemporary moment.

I want to make products that demand sustainability from consumers. From the art of giving gifts, to working as guerillas to persuade consumers to unconsciously become more sustainable, I am committed to having societal impact with my designs and products. I first drew international recognition with my iconic Knotted Chair (1996). My passionate quest for ongoing innovation, in combination with my rock star-like presence, makes me an exemplary forum guest.