Merging Local Tradition and Modern Innovation in Furniture
Saturday 18 January —
11:00
- 11:45
The Talks — Hall 7
Description
Designers will share insights on balancing cultural influences with innovative materials and techniques, aiming to create furniture that honors heritage while meeting contemporary needs. HK-FR: Furniture For World Design is organized by the Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association, with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Government of the Hong Kong SAR as the Lead Sponsor. It connects Hong Kong's excellent furniture and home decoration manufacturers with leading designers from Hong Kong and winners of the M&O Rising Talents.
Participants
Joey HoDesign Partner - P A L Design Group
Tommy Li Branding Consultant, Tommy Li Design Workshop
Raphaël CuevasCabinetmaker & Co-founder - Line & Raphaël
Robin Hoske Co-founder - WINT Design Lab
Christopher LaiDirector, France, Spain and Portugal, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Joey Ho
Design Partner - P A L Design Group
Joey is a visionary design partner at P A L Design Group, driven by the belief that the essence of design lies in inspiring creativity and unlocking new possibilities for life. With a dynamic, borderless approach to his craft, Joey has cultivated an impressive portfolio that spans multiple sectors and specialties. His expertise encompasses corporate, residential, educational, hospitality, and diverse other fields, reflecting his ability to adapt and innovate across industries. Joey’s work extends internationally, showcasing a global perspective that enriches each project with creativity and purpose.
Tommy Li
Branding Consultant, Tommy Li Design Workshop
Tommy is a renowned brand consultant and one of the few designers to achieve international success in Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Italy. With over 650 prestigious awards, his accolades include the PolyU Outstanding Alumni Award and the Gold Pencil Award from The One Show in New York. Recognized as one of China’s top 20 designers by News Weekly and Design 360, he has also received the "World Outstanding Chinese Award" and "Hong Kong Artist of the Year." Tommy Li’s designs reflect a philosophy of balance, merging functionality with artistry to create transformative experiences, integrating natural elements, technology, and symbolism in every piece.
Raphaël Cuevas
Cabinetmaker & Co-founder - Line & Raphaël
Raphaël Cuevas, trained as a cabinetmaker, began his career creating bespoke furniture and small series pieces. Line Pierron, a designer passionate about innovation, explored the endless possibilities of 3D printing through her first decorative objects brand. In 2019, their collaboration led to the creation of the Line & Raphaël studio, where they combine their expertise to design furniture that redefines the boundaries between craftsmanship and technology. Their workshop, located in Ivry-sur-Seine, is where tradition and innovation come together to bring unique projects to life.
Robin Hoske
Co-founder - WINT Design Lab
Robin Hoske is co-founder of WINT, an industrial design and research lab that supports brands in developing innovative products for everyday life. The studio was founded in 2019 by industrial designers Robin Hoske and Felix Rasehorn and is based in Berlin, Germany. WINT collaborates with leading start-ups and industrial clients like IKEA and Adidas to explore the design space of sustainable materials, bio-based production, and circularity strategies. The studio has received international recognition, including the German Eco-Design Award and the Maison&Objet Newcomer Award in 2023.
Christopher Lai
Director, France, Spain and Portugal, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Christopher leads the Paris Office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), overseeing the Council’s strategies and operations to facilitate greater bilateral business relations between Hong Kong and France, Spain, and Portugal. He has held a number of positions during his 18-year tenure at HKTDC, most recently as Section Head for IP and Technology, where he was responsible for comprehensive worldwide promotion programs on intellectual property commercialization as well as technology collaboration. He has also previously served as Director of Korea and Section Head of Financial Services.