UO x Clever: Find out 6 Rising American Design Talents

What happens when Urban Outfitters - a major lifestyle retailer highlighting creativity and cultural understanding - and Clever - the young, dynamic, online-oriented branch of Architectural Digest - join forces in the field of design? The emergence of new talents in American design. Indeed, during their partnership, UO x Clever highlighted young independent designers for their ability to represent what design should be today according to the online magazine: "interesting shapes, a certain sensitivity for the durable, and undoubtedly a somewhat strange aspect". Discover 6 rising American designers to be followed in the coming years and their work.

UO x Clever

Elise McMahon | Likeminded Objects

Every project of the studio Likeminded Objectsfounded by Elise MacMahoncomes to life in the form of collaborative events and exhibitions. Exploring the sharing and social organization around art, Elise believes in and creates inspiring design, to which she attributes strong properties, such as the responsibility to help others through design, and to participate in the improvement of each life we encounter in full consciousness. For the collaboration UO x Clever, the American designer and artist has created a series of colourful, radiant and fun furniture and objects, perfectly in line with her philosophy and the type of projects for which she is known.

Below, Bleached Denim Chair, Dining set and Face Mirror, for sale on Urban Outfitters.

Joseph Algieri

Since 2016, we have been able to regularly appreciate the work of Joseph Algieri during renowned group exhibitions, such as In Good Company (2017), Jonald Dudd and Inside Out (2019). Well-known for his foam luminaires with organic forms and even extraterrestrial aspects, the designer likes to work with unusual materials, leaving it to his intuition to create irrational shapes to express his vision. Carefully chosen by Clever, he created for Urban Outfitters a foam and ceramic object series in perfect harmony with his usual style.

Below, Joe's Collection, for sale on Urban Outfitters.

Katherine Entis | Soft Century

Soft Century is a design studio that designs quality textile products for the home, both in terms of visual appearance and the materials used. Founded by Katherine Entis, the studio promotes ethical and sustainable design, using natural materials as much as possible and offering a decent and fair salary to all intermediaries involved in their collections. Convinced that quality products have their place in our daily living spaces, the American textile designer imagines carpet and pillowcases with an attractive and refreshing design. For UO x Clever, she has created several products including:

Below, Plaza Shag Pillow and Playscape Throw Blanket, for sale on Urban Outfitters.

Leonard Bessemer | Objects for Objects

Founded in 2017 by Leonard Bessemer, the design studio Objects for Objects has recently been highlighted at local events in Los Angeles, such as the LA Design Festival and the bi-annual exhibition of independent designers Object Permanence, co-curated by Leah Ring from Another Human. Leonard is what we call a real maker, a self-taught carpenter, who has set up and renovated on his own many spaces (stores, cafés, private residences) in Los Angeles bay before creating his furniture design line and studio. With his expertise, he created an entire pop and lacquered furniture collection, made of engineered wood, MDF and plywood, which he shaped it all by himself.

Below, his exclusive furniture series, for sale on Urban Outfitters.

Mansi Shah

Mansi Shah creates poetic and surprising objects and sees her work as a continuous exploration of play through colours and shapes. Her collection of small mirrors, wall sculptures and other cute decorative elements, placed next to each other, communicate a certain joy and the carefree spirit of children's rooms. It is therefore natural that designer Mansi Shah has created a set of delicate and colourful objects for the partnership between UO x Clever.

Below, Waves Hand Mirror, Mobile and Moonrise Glass Mirror

Sally Rizzoli | Pezzi

Last but not least, Clever has also selected Sally Rizzoli of design studio Pezzi in order to make some nice pieces for Urban Outfitters. Pezzi makes affordable objects and small furniture for the home, handmade by the designer. Borrowings from a minimalist style, her products are all made of wood and plywood, an ideal and durable material. For this project, the pieces she designed have the curved form in common, a guiding line that is here both formal and poetic... 

Below, Tryptich Bud Vase set, Cut-out Shapes Room Divider and Plywood Vase, available on Urban Outfitters.

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