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Barber Osgerby

Designer of the Year by Maison & Objet in Paris, a nomination for the Compasso d‘Oro, the German Design Award, and, and, and...: a total of 31 prizes and awards line this British design duo’s path.

And that seems to be only the beginning. With all this fame, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have stayed humble. They embody British understatement. Exactly like the designs with which they have been enriching the repertoire of renowned furniture and lighting manufacturers since the founding of their London studio in 1996. These include B&B Italia, whose sculptured dining table “Tobi Ishi“ received the Wallpaper Design Award this year; designs for Capellini, Established & Sons; for the glass virtuoso Venini, for Flos, Sony, Magis and many more.

The duo also conceptualised new models for Classicon and Vitra. The graduates of the Royal College of Art came to international attention on the occasion of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, however. Selected to redesign the Olympic torch, Barber Osgerby managed to unite sportiness and contemporary aesthetics in their design. The new symbol of grandeur represents the tradition of the Games and, of course, of the British tradition at the same time.

The Olympic torch was the first time that we designed something of worldwide interest

says Barber. That it’s referred to lovingly as they were called “cheese grater” by the Brits doesn’t bother the designers, as the radiance of the golden sceptre has also brought exciting new projects for the smart two-some both in their mid-forties, this year. Louis Vuitton has already booked the duo as part of a new collection. And from May the London Design Museum is dedicating a first retrospective to Barber Osgerby.

Their first exhibition at the renowned London art gallery Haunch of Venison in September 2011 has the visionary title of “Ascent”. The ascent can be dazzling if it’s made by Barber Osgerby! More than just products: as with their exhibition “Ascent“, Jay Osgerby and Edward Barber also exhibited skeleton-like objects, that could have originated in the space and aviation industry, at the Paris Trade Fair. In between one can see lights by Flos and their award-winning “Tobi Ishi“ table for B & B Italia. shelf or room divider: “Paris“ by Classicon was created in 2004. The portable solar-powered Murano glass light “Bell” originates from Louis Vuitton’s collection “Nomad Objects”. Wobbling is allowed: TipTon stacking chair for Vitra.