Spotlight on Anna Karlin

- We are in an incredibly unique space here tonight in New York. What brought you to take over this space and transform it into your studio? Can you talk us through some of its particularities?

A member of my team was picking up lunch from a spot opposite and saw it was for rent. The front had been ripped out and replaced with an awful 80's facade and the interior had really bad fire damage and parts with no floor or ceiling or proper walls, but on first visit it just felt like magic and I knew I desperately wanted it. It was then 6 months of full construction to turn it into the place that you see now. I researched the history of the building and recreated the original storefront as closely as I could. 

We have our design studio at the back where I built a full kitchen. My dream kitchen in fact. In NY, your apartments are so small you can’t host at the scale I like to host! So not only did this mean I could throw big dinner parties for work and friends alike, but it also meant I could design our desks so that we all felt like we were working at our kitchen tables and not in an office. One of my favorite parts is the small custom made arched doorway to the bathroom. It was a bit of a nightmare to build and install but I love it—so it was all worth it in the end.

- Who or what are some of your biggest influences that permeate your work?

I don’t have one major influence. Something that really keeps me energized is the fact that influence and inspiration are essentially everywhere, it’s not what you look at but how you look that is the crucial thing for me. 

- What do you believe the purpose, if any at all, of design to be?

It’s fundamental to the human condition, on both a practical and emotional level.  On a more personal note, if with an inanimate object I can render emotion in the viewer or user, then to me, I’ve done my job. 

- In a world that always wants more and more, what place do you think craftsmanship has? Is craftsmanship something you integrate in your work?

Craftsmanship is central to my work and it would be nothing without the skills of the highly talented individuals that fabricate the end designs. Something that is highly crafted and will last a life time is more important than ever given our climate crisis for those lucky enough to be able to make that choice. 

 - Your work ranges from fine jewellery and furniture to art direction and interior design. Does your creative process differ between these types of work or do you find overlaps?

To me, my process is the same if I’m designing a ring or a piece of lighting. I see all my work as pieces of usable sculpture.

- Which projects are you most looking forward to in the new year?

A big new collection!