Portugal Design Lab : from local creativity to global impact
Saturday 17 January —
14:00
- 14:45
The Talks — Hall 3
Description
Exploring how Portuguese design is shaping its international presence, interior architects and designers Nini Andrade Silva, Gabriel Tan and Toni Grilo discuss the dialogue between local craft, industry and global ambition, sharing how place and process inform their practice. Moderated by Romain Casella Founder & Director of Creative Agency, MAY Concepts Ltd.
Nos partenaires : ITALIAN TRADE AGENCY
Participants
Nini Andrade Silva Founder & CEO - Atelier Nini Andrade Silva
Toni GriloDesigner and art director
Gabriel Tan CEO - Gabriel Tan Studio and Studio Antimatter & Co-founder - Origin Made
Romain CasellaFounder & Director of Creative Agency, MAY Concepts Ltd
Nini Andrade Silva
Founder & CEO - Atelier Nini Andrade Silva
Nini Andrade Silva is a visual storyteller with over 30 years of experience, transforming interior architecture into immersive cultural experiences. Born in Madeira, she blends Portuguese soul with a global design language. Recognised among the world’s leading designers, she signs projects for brands like Marriott, Hilton, Belmond and IHG in 40+ countries. Featured in major publications, she holds national honours from Portugal and Colombia. In 2025 she was a Cosentino global opinion leader, curated Made in Portugal at Paris Design Week, and joined the AHEAD Awards jury.
Toni Grilo
Designer and art director
Designer and art director, Toni Grilo was born in France in 1979. Graduated from Ecole Boulle in Paris in 2001, he then went to Portugal, finding his roots. He discovers a country rich in industry, a strong craft tradition and then becomes obsessed with the beauty of technical processes and materials. After various collaborations, he founded in 2008 his own studio, drawing objects, furniture and spaces. He creates several brands of contemporary and timeless design pieces, such as Riluc in 2009, Haymann Editions in 2012, Blackcork in 2014. He also created the fair LXD Lisboa Design Show and became art director of the prestigious centenary silver brand Topázio from 2013 to 2016. In 2019, he founded INOT, a free edition of exceptional pieces in collaboration with craftmen. His work is part of private collections, such as the Thierry Barbier-Mueller collection. It is present in museums such as the MUDE in Lisbon, the MADE in Évora, the Museo Automovilístico de Málaga, the MUDAC in Lausanne and the Mobilier National in Paris.
Gabriel Tan
CEO - Gabriel Tan Studio and Studio Antimatter & Co-founder - Origin Made
Gabriel Tan is a Singaporean designer based in Porto who founded Gabriel Tan Studio in 2016. Working at cultural intersections, he explores new approaches to tradition, craft, and technology. He designs for renowned brands including B&B Italia, Herman Miller, and Louis Poulsen, while also creative directing Japanese furniture brand Ariake and craft-driven design brand Origin Made. His interior design practice, Studio Antimatter, works on selective residential and hospitality projects. Gabriel's work has received international recognition, including the Industrial Designers Society of America's IDEA Award, Japan Good Design Award, and the 2025 President's Design Award for Designer of the Year, Singapore's highest design accolade.
Romain Casella
Founder & Director of Creative Agency, MAY Concepts Ltd
With over 15 years of experience in the creative industry, working with leading organisations such as Publicis Groupe and WGSN, Romain Casella founded the creative agency MAY Concepts Ltd in London in 2012. Collaborating with institutions and public organisations (Swiss Arts Council, City of Porto) and lifestyle, fashion, and design brands (Cappellini, Business of Fashion, Panter & Tourron), MAY provides branding, creative consulting, as well as end-to-end communications and public relations services. Romain also acts as a lecturer, speaker, and coach (ECAL, Westminster University, London College of Fashion), helping creatives develop impactful marketing and communications strategies.