022
LOCAL MANUFACTURING: SOMETHING BEGINNING WITH
“We feel that it is extremely important to foster and support local manufacture for many reasons. It allows us to support this diminishing industry, which still employs many. It also means we can have in-depth involvement in the construction and quality control of our product.”
“Working in the furniture industry, I always knew that one day I would take the risk and liberty of introducing a fresh and eclectic collection of products tailored towards the architecture and design market. I wasn’t sure how this would occur, or with whom I would take this journey. I just knew I would,” says Laelie. With twelve years of experience in furniture and homeware design, Lisa Vincitorio made her mark as the youngest Australian designer to partner with design industry heavyweight, Alessi. Her work alongside Alessi received international recognition and won an award at the 2005 Tokyo Designers Block, in addition to a myriad of products in production and supply with Australian distributors; and is commissioned to design furniture for events such as the Flemington Spring Carnival. “From Year 10 I knew I wanted to be in a creative industry. Initially I thought that would be graphic design but it wasn't until I went to the RMIT furniture exhibition and met Kjell Grant that I knew I wanted to design furniture. There is something special about creating a functional product that can be enjoyed by its
Winter 2016
owner as well as be an expression of someone's personality,” Lisa explains. “As a designer, being able to translate your personality into a product and have it accepted and enjoyed by someone else is extremely satisfying. Laelie and I decided to create our own brand and distribute our products ourselves because we love to see where things end up and how they are being used on a daily basis.” In 2011 they did just that, and five years on, they haven’t looked back. Since establishing their first studio space in Collingwood, the brand now works alongside eighteen highly valued and talented individuals in its headquarters, manufacturing and logistical channels. “We love Collingwood’s vibe and it’s certainly a great reflection of our business ethos and our diverse and bespoke collection… We feel that having a bricks and mortar location will help to further solidify and legitimise the brand. Now having the amenity to showcase the comprehensive and continually expanding product collection in one space will allow clients to engage with the product,” Laelie explains.
Above: Manufacturing images featuring the ARRAY Stool and the making of the MIA Coffee Table.
Needless to say, there are many reasons to love SBW’s furniture collection, with each piece staying true to its signature-refined design, exceptional materials and beautiful detailing. Not surprisingly, it wasn’t long before SBW began garnering attention for all the right reasons. “We’ve been really humbled by the design industry’s response to our wares, which has seen the steadfastly Australian-made designs and high quality products specified in a diversity of project genres by eminent design firms. Arguably one of the biggest compliments has been the specification of SBW pieces in the studios of architect and design firms [and] having a product which is well received and seeing it come to fruition in a public space or commercial installation, with the end user being extremely satisfied with both the result and service provided,” Lisa and Laelie explain. Within the realms of SBW, both Lisa and Laelie work closely to conceptualise each product. From there Lisa takes care of design development and engineering, while Laelie adeptly manages sales and marketing. There are now twenty-one product ranges in the