Fringe Furniture
Awards 2020

Winner of the Tait Design & Innovation Award: Formosa Coat Stand by Brigitte Owers-Buccianti (Real Non-Real)

Recognising innovative and forward-thinking design is at the foundation of Melbourne’s Fringe Furniture Awards. Now in its 34th year, the Fringe Furniture awards are made possible by the ongoing support of the local community and industry partners. This time around called for a slightly different approach propelling the Fringe team into some forward-thinking of their own. The first virtual exhibition was held allowing viewers to select an avatar and experience the show with interactive 3D models bringing the beautifully crafted projects to life.

Formosa Coat Stand by Brigitte Owers-Buccianti. Photography by Tom Ross.

As loyal supporters of grassroots design, Tait hold the Fringe Furniture Awards in high esteem. Encouraging local design and manufacturing is at the heart of Tait’s operations which is why, 15 years on, Gordon & Susan Tait are proud to provide their continued support to the awards. Recognised by the design industry as a prestigious achievement for emerging designers,  it was a pleasure to announce the 2020 ‘Design and Innovation’ award winner, Brigitte Owers-Buccianti, for her well-considered piece the “Formosa Coat Stand”. Gordon & Susan selected the Formosa Coat Stand commenting, “we loved the way the designer had entirely reconsidered a traditional idea to better suit our lives today – and with great versatility. Beautifully resolved design and material choices.”

Formosa Coat Stand by Brigitte Owers-Buccianti. Photography by Tom Ross.

‘Formosa’, meaning curvy in Italian, is designed with the intent to capture your things and create a synergy between “possessions and furniture.” Brigitte explains of her design, “a coat stand and key tray for the entryway, a bedside table and enemy to the infamous ‘floordrobe’, or for catching and drying towels, a place to rest your jewellery, and a temporary home to those precious garments that wait patiently for hand wash day.” Welded by hand and available in three colours the Formosa Coat Stand makes use of vertical space illustrating the innovative design and craftsmanship of the maker.

See the ‘Formosa’ coat stand designed by Brigitte Owers-Buccianti, here.

Formosa Coat Stand by Brigitte Owers-Buccianti. Photography by Tom Ross.

Formosa Coat Stand by Brigitte Owers-Buccianti. Photography by Tom Ross.

Published 16 December 2020
Share

Latest Stories