What is beauty? What words define it best? To me it is simple: “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder” – eight words. No more. No less. It simply depends on each one of us, whose connection with someone or something is only known to and cherished by us. But, let’s be honest, in the design world, it has to be more than just those eight words. Design needs more. It needs attention. Your eyes should crave to see what it has to present you, and consequently it should drag you in as it opens up to you, showing its other sides. Design needs you to take notice, to fancy it, and fall in love with it. It must make you its slave. Please, I’m not exaggerating. What I just described is precisely what’s happening in the world I live in, a world full of quirky, exciting and beautiful things to be incorporated into our lives, adding pinches of coolness to our spaces.
Let’s talk about Moooi, a Dutch brand founded in 2001 by Marcel Wanders and Casper Vissers. When we talk about “beauty” Moooi has a lot to say and show. “Mooi” means “beautiful” in Dutch, and the men behind this brand added the extra “o” to emphasize the extra uniqueness and beauty in their products. They are designed by nationally and internationally recognized designers, and are timeless, unique, risky, daring and playful. Above all, they make you fall in love with them. They drag you into their hearts and make you stay there without ever being bored or tired of what they have to offer you.
This swanky Dutch brand has received several awards over the past 13 years, with its very varied and truly unique set of collections. What makes them stand out from others is the way they unite certain aspects and characteristics of antiques with modern flavors, making their pieces ageless.
One of Moooi’s most well-known lighting products is the Paper Chandelier L by Studio Job, a modern lighting piece inspired by classic icons but manufactured like modern day furniture. Then there is Raimond by Raimond Puts, a perfect sphere of mathematical ingredients punctuated by tiny LED lights, which make you feel like you are staring into the soft glow of a starry night. And finally, the Horse Lamp by Front, one of the true icons among design products nowadays.
Apart from lighting, Moooi’s accessories are also quite eye catching especially the Heritage & Oil Pillows by founder and designer Marcel Wanders, and the Blown Away Vase by Front. Moooi is also keen on chairs like the funky New Antiques Barstool by Marcel Wanders, Carbon Chair by Bertjan Pot & Marcel Wanders and the Smoke Chair by Maarten Baas.
So, how do you define beauty? Still have any doubts? I think in this world full of colourful little touches by a lot of extraordinary hands, one of the words should definitely be Moooi.
