USC Professor Doris Sung

French artist Gil Bruvel is known for his pixelated wooden sculpture that's made of thousands of wooden sticks. I came across his sculpture by chance when I was walking past a gallery and immediately captured by the meditative state of the face. I was mesmerized. IG @gilbruvel

Two years ago, I met James Patmore at the newly opened SoHo House in Wynwood, Miami. James was the head of SoHo House Design between 2018 - 2024. Eight months ago, James moved to San Francisco to head the Product Design at Arhaus, an upscale US furniture brand. Born and raised in London, James has spent the past 17 years as a product designer. In this episode, James opens up to us about his design career.

Andrea Spiridonakou was a former ballerina with Miami City Ballet. Then she started her second career as a fashion designer after graduating from FIT. Right now, she has a bespoke wool jacket line exclusively available at Bergdorf Goodman. Currently based in Miami, Andrea showed us her studio at Bakehouse Art Complex. @spiridonakou https://www.spiridonakou.com/

Metals open up when heated like skin pores. I was at awe when I first saw Doris’s “Oculus” at Craft Contemporary in LA. Trained as an architect, Professor Sung now is the director of undergraduate architecture program at USC. Driven by strong curiosity, Doris dived into innovative materials to find solutions for sustainable architecture. She chose thermo bimetal to create energy efficient facades for buildings, in response to “heat island effect” in modern day metropolis. IG @dosustudio https://www.dosu-arch.com/

Like every fashionista, I first discovered Josh Raiffe's glass handbag from Coperni's 2022 Paris Fashion Show - Gigi Hadid carried the transparent glass purse. And that's how Josh rose to stardom overnight in the high fashion world. During Art Basel Miami 2023, I had the chance to see the glass purse in person at Patbo's new store in Design District. At this year's Design Miami, Josh exhibited his new collection. In this podcast, Josh showed us his sketchbook - all the original drawings of the glass purses. https://www.raiffe.com/shop@raiffeglass

I discovered Nader's latest lighting collection "Vessels" at Design Miami this month. Made of handmade ceramics, this collection is inspired by fungus, which happen to be one of my obsessions. And I knew I had to talk to the designer. Currently based in Dubai, Nader studied Lighting Design at Parsons after his bachelor degree in Architecture. Always wanted to be a product designer, Dader is now fulfilling his destiny. @nader_gammas https://www.nadergammas.com/about/

At Design Miami 2024, I discovered Tadeáš's work - "Bloom of Bones". It's made up of three white wood pieces - a chair, a mirror and a chandelier. It's mystical and lyrical. @tadeaspodracky https://tadeaspodracky.com/

I first came across Anya's art at SCAD Museum of Art in October and I was immediately captured by the color of her work. When I looked closer, it was also 3D. Then, much to be my delight, I saw her pieces again at this year's Design Miami. A graduate of SCAD, Anya grew up in Geneva, Swiss and is now based in Austin, Texas. @anyamolyviatis https://www.anyamolyviatis.com/

This past week at Art Basel Miami 2024, I first came across Moffat's work and its originality caught my attention right away. When I looked closer, much to my delight, it was made of computer keyboards and toothbrush heads. I thought to myself, it would be the kind of art that an executive at Apple or Google would collect. Moffat is known for his artwork that utilize recycled everyday objects - aka trash. He sees beauty in trash and transform them into something playful and artful. @moffattakadiwa

Janet Echelman is known for her whimsical colorful giant installation made with nets. I first experienced her art at Renwick Gallery in DC, the Smithsonian gallery right across from the white house. I was blown away. While I was lying down the topography carpet, also designed by Janet, and watching the light projections on the installation right above me, it was such a meditative process. @janetechelman https://www.echelman.com/map