Happy International Women’s Day! To celebrate, we place the spotlight on seven incredible female designers well known for their brilliant and beautiful designs. These wonderful women have made huge contributions to the design world! Discover more below.

Ray Eames

Artist and designer, Ray Eames (1912-1988), is said to one of the most influential designers of the 20^th century. Married to Charles Eames, the pair are known internationally for their ground-breaking designs, in particular their mid-century plywood furniture and iconic chairs. Ray’s approach to design was fun and playful, she enjoyed playing with shapes and using vibrant colours – this is really apparent in the couple’s designs. She was a truly remarkable women and even today she continues to inspire designers.

Patricia Urquiola

The renowned Spanish architect and designer, Patricia Urquiola, has work exhibited around the world in various art and design museums. Combining a mix of styles, materials and patterns, Urquiola is not afraid to create bold and extraordinary designs that leave a lasting impression. Her most recent design, Nuez Lounge BIO, in collaboration with Andreu World, has received multiple awards for its design excellence and sustainable attributes. Considered as one of the world’s top designers, Patricia Urquiola’s designs are always revolutionary and exciting!

Gabriella Crespi

Gabriella Crespi (1922-2017) was an Italian artist and designer, best known for her sculptural furniture and jewellery designs. Crespi’s work was admired by many and owned by various public figures including for example,  Audrey Hepburn, King Faisal and Grace Kelly. This year, to celebrate what would have been her 100^th birthday, Danish furniture manufacturer, GUBI, re-issues a collection of rattan furniture which was first conceived by Crespi in the 1970s. This was designed to unite indoor and outdoor living.

Ilse Crawford

Ilse Crawford is a British interior and furniture designer and founder of the award-winning design studio STUDIOILSE. Last Year Crawford was awarded the London Design Medal – “the highest accolade bestowed upon an individual who has distinguished themselves within the industry and demonstrated consistent design excellence.” In a recent collaboration with Danish furniture manufacturer Carl Hansen & Son, Crawford was invited to develop a colour palette that would give a new perspective to five distinct chairs in the Carl Hansen collection. Inspired by art and nature, the 9 matte colours chosen are a beautiful selection of sumptuous, earthy tones.

Greta M. Grossman

Greta M. Grossman (1906-1999) was a Swedish architect, interior designer and furniture designer. Regarded as an icon in mid-century design, Grossman had a highly successful forty-year career in both Europe and North America. Grossman designed more than 15 homes across the globe, but her most notable work was in lighting design. Some of her most famous works, for example, included the Gräshoppa floor light and Cobra table light.

Nani Marquina

Nani Marquina is the founder of the Spanish rug and textile manufacturer nanimarquina. As the daughter of Rafael Marquina, creator of the famous oil cruet, Nani was determined from a young age to ‘follow in the footsteps of her father and strengthen the family gift: to create.’ On a mission to make “visually surprising rugs for people to enjoy” the family-owned company is now known worldwide with around 100,000 households owning a nanimarquina rug. Each beautiful piece is handmade using ancient techniques by weavers in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.

Lucienne Day

Lucienne Day (1917-2010) was one of the most influential textile designers in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Inspired by nature and abstract art, her designs were groundbreaking and are still hugely popular today. Over her 60-year career, Day worked with many big-named brands in the industry designing fabrics, wallpapers, carpets, homewares and ceramics. She was the first woman to be awarded Master of Royal Designers for Industry in 1987, and in 2004 she was further awarded an OBE.

Each of these incredible women are a true inspiration and in their own unique way have shaped the design industry. They continue to impact interior design to this day, as well as a broad range of other design mediums.

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