Recently, English designer Faye Toogood was celebrated as "Designer of the Year" at Maison&Objet in Paris. Her unconventional and multidisciplinary approach makes her a standout figure in the international design scene. Let us introduce you to the British creative mind.
For Faye Toogood, design is about shaping emotions and connecting people through her creations. A self-taught designer, her work speaks for itself: she impresses with her creative versatility, seamlessly blending design, fashion, art, and sculpture. Her pieces, such as the iconic Roly-Poly Chair, showcase her ability to translate bold and playful concepts into tangible, inspiring designs. It comes as no surprise that the Maison&Objet trade fair in Paris has named her Designer of the Year for 2025.
Connection to Nature and Creative Freedom
Growing up in the idyllic English countryside, far from televisions and digital distractions, Faye Toogood found her inspiration in the natural world and the power of imagination. She collected found objects, arranged them, and let her creativity run free. These early experiences played a crucial role in shaping her unique design style.
“I was born in the UK to a very English family, and we lived in the countryside. My mother was a florist, and my father loved ornithology. We didn’t have television, so I read, drew and we got up early to watch the birds. Nature was our playground, I collected all sort of things and then spent time arranging them. This still influences my work in the way I use materials. My colour palette is inspired by those landscapes.” Faye Toogood
After studying art history at the University of Bristol, she began her career as an editor at the renowned magazine World of Interiors, where she worked as a stylist and later as an editor. This experience sharpened her eye for detail and deepened her knowledge of design history and styles.
In 2008, she founded her own studio in London, which quickly became a hub for experimental and multidisciplinary design. Two years later, her first collection, Assemblage 1, impressed the design world with its unique blend of traditional English materials and contemporary aesthetics. Her journey demonstrates how a deep connection to nature, imagination, and a profound understanding of design history can lead to a distinctive creative signature.
Limited Editions as a Playground for Experimentation
Toogood's limited editions offer her the opportunity to push artistic boundaries and rethink design. These experimental works have not only gained her worldwide recognition but are also part of the permanent collections of several international museums. In New York, she is represented by the renowned Friedman Benda Gallery.
“For the last 10 years alongside my made-to-order furniture collections, I’ve been producing limited edition pieces for collectors. This practice has been widely criticised for being too expensive and not functional enough. Like haute couture, it’s the purest part of my artistic expression. The freest. It has an impact on everything I do. Roly-Poly would not have existed without this research. It’s a liberation. Are the pieces expensive? Yes. Are they aimed at museums or collectors? Yes. But it’s an essential part of my practice.” Faye Toogood
Toogood has collaborated with numerous prestigious brands, from Italian rug designers cc-tapis and Maison Matisse to New York-based wallpaper designers Calico and furniture brands Tacchini and Poltrona Frau. A standout example of her work is the Roly-Poly Chair, available both as an industrially manufactured version by Driade and as a handcrafted studio piece. (Available through Nunido at stilwerk Hamburg.)
“This chair is better known than I am. For two years, no one was interested. It was an alien. Some see in it the curves of Art Deco, others a primitive African style with elephant feet. It was so different from the marble and brass we were seeing at the time. Roly-Poly was a turning point for me. I’d just had my first child and everything became softer, rounder and bouncier. Before, I produced dark things, with angles, steel and welding. I find that when a piece of work is linked to real emotions, it hits home. It conveys an intuition and feelings that go far beyond aesthetics and form. If we design objects in this way, they take off. Roly-Poly is also a child’s approach to the world. Picasso said: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist as you grow up.” I believe successful creatives have not lost that connection.” Faye Toogood
Her latest collection, Assemblage 8, reflects her experimental approach: furniture pieces that can be assembled like a puzzle or a children's building set. "Give people the pieces of a puzzle and let them figure out how it works," Toogood explains.
"Creativity is at the heart of who we are, where we come from, and who we might become one day." – Faye Toogood
The diverse work of Faye Toogood and her studio Toogood: Top left © Genevieve Lutkin, top right A glimpse into the studio © Toogood, middle left Holistic composition © Genevieve Lutkin, middle right Roly-Poly Chair © Matthew Donaldson, bottom from left to right © Toogood, © Andrea Ferrari, © William Waterworth, © Matthew Donaldson.
Women at the Center of Design
As one of the few internationally recognized women in the design world, Toogood advocates for greater representation. Her work is part of the Women&Design initiative at Maison&Objet, which supports and promotes women in the industry. She sees herself as part of a new feminist movement that does not blur gender differences but rather celebrates them.
A Parisian Highlight: walnut head
For Maison&Objet 2025, Toogood invites visitors to immerse themselves in her creative universe—her so-called walnut head. The exhibition is divided into four chapters—drawing, material, sculpture, and landscape—offering a surreal journey through the artist’s mind. This interactive installation impressively demonstrates how design can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
“WOMANIFESTO : CECI N’EST PAS UNE CHAISE !”
“This is my womanifesto. Self portrait of the brain as an artist. Squishy. Surreal. Sensual. Sexual. Spontaneous. Turning the studio of my subconscious inside out.”
Womanifesto © D.R.
Design That Connects
In a time when artificial intelligence and technology increasingly shape everyday life, Faye Toogood's approach remains deeply human. For her, design is not just about creating functional objects but about capturing emotions and forging genuine connections with people. Her works are more than mere objects—they tell stories, evoke feelings, and invite us to experience the world in a new and more profound way.
About Maison&Objet
Since 1994, Maison&Objet has been a cornerstone of the international design and lifestyle industry. More than just a trade fair, it is a magnet for creatives and brands from around the world. With two annual editions in Paris and its digital platform MOM (Maison&Objet and More), the event not only showcases the latest trends and talents but also offers extensive networking and business development opportunities. From interactive exhibitions and inspiring discussions to exclusive product launches, Maison&Objet is an essential gathering for the design community and a driving force positioning Paris as a global capital of creativity.
Source: Maison&Objet