Collection by Marianne Colahan
Streamlined Designs by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio
Seattle–based Ladies & Gentlemen Studio is comprised of husband and wife designers Jean Lee and Dylan Davis. The two met while studying Industrial Design at the University of Washington in Seattle and founded Ladies & Gentlemen Studio in 2010, for which they design and create products that blend unexpected materials and refined silhouettes that celebrate the simplicity of function.
After they graduated from college, both Lee and Davis were designing and making products for local Seattle companies, and took the experiences learned into their own business.
In their Aura Lights, the designers were inspired to take a ceiling light and pare it down. According to Lee, the “simple and versatile light celebrates the two elemental ingredients: the source (the bulb) and its illumination (highlighted by a brass ring).” The result is a halo-like diffusion of light that creates a dramatic, yet minimalist aesthetic.
The Aura Light is available with a brass holder or a copper holder.
The duo has a balanced approach to design. As Lee states, “Typically we’ll each come up with our own ideas, but we’ll bounce them off of each other for feedback, and to further develop it.” Once the duo decides to pursue an idea, they choose who will take the lead, or they will continue to work on it together. “For the most part, we have a pretty organic design process.”
Pictured, the Cylinder Shakers in polished brass.
Ladies & Gentlemen Studio began designing its own products at JOIN, a Seattle–based design collective that was started in 2008 by Jean and Dylan’s friends Jamie and Brian of Iacoli & McAllister. Through that experience, the team discovered a resurgence of independent design in the state of Washington. When asked what their ultimate goal is as designers, Lee says that they want to have a design studio “that allows us to explore constantly.” Above all else, they “want to make sure we can try new ideas, do collaborations, learn new things, and gain new experiences.”