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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: KENNETH COBONPUE

Filipino Designer Kenneth Cobonpue has celebrities on his sofas

Love Kenneth Cobonpue? We examine even more craftsmanship from the Philippines in the latest edition of our e-magazine. Check it out!

Kenneth Cobonpue seems to be contemplating his next move after years of accumulating international design awards. When we say Kenneth is looking ahead, we do mean that this world-renowned, Filipino designer, creative director of Design by Hive, has his eyes skimming the globe. He unveils new work each year at design shows from New York to Paris and speaks regularly about Southeast Asian design during his world travels. Back in March 2014, he was named Designer of the Year in the first edition of Maison & Objet Asia in Singapore.

What’s more, he integrates locally sourced materials with innovative handmade production processes. This design genius has Hollywood celebrities like Brad Pitt and members of royalty tugging on his sleeve, asking him, “What’s next?” His Voyage Bed is even featured in Maroon 5’s music video Never Gonna Leave This Bed.

It all began in 1987 at Pratt Institute for industrial design in New York, and here he is now, a must-have. Although Phaidon’s book entitled “& FORK” underscores his position as a leader of the new movement incorporating new technologies with crafts, his home city, Cebu, must feel a pride few have known. The Z bar, a 2012 project, in Cebu represents the exciting, low-candle side of Kenneth’s style. It may be two years old, but it holds endless magic.

Looking closely at the Z Bar, we can see a link to his Little People collection, a favorite of ours. The collection is so playful but it remains classy. Hundreds of individually bent metal rods twist into what is called the Little People. Kenneth uses salago fiber to coat the hand bent metal into a perfect texture, allowing endless possibilities of whimsical creativity. At first glance you might miss the little guys hanging on for dear life, so keep an eye out.

Follow Kenneth’s Little People along to our latest emag edition, where we present you with more international craftsmen.

Maroon 5 - Never Gonna Leave This Bed

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  • United States
  • Kenneth Cobonpue