Marcel Wanders' designs which cannot be related with existing schools and styles are inclassifiable. His undogmatic designs range from classically modern or primarily functional to amusing creations filled with humour, ironic hints and citations.
The Dutch born in 1963 completed his studies at the Art school in Arnheim. After some years of free-lance activity, he opened his own studio in Amsterdam in 1995. His label Moooi was founded in 2001. Together with his innovative, young team, Wanders dedicates himself to the development of extraordinary furnishing objects which intentionally break with conventions, or with a wink.
Marcel Wanders' lights and furniture are not only in Moooi's portfolio, but are also bestsellers of renowned companies like Flos, Kartell or Magis.
Wanders' passionate designs which surprise and appeal to people are based on Romantism and Humanism.
He became famous with the Knotted Chair which was awarded the Rotterdam Design Prize in 1996. It combines tradition and innovation, craftsmanship and modern technique. Artfully woven ropes have been hardened with epoxy resin and serve as a chair, while keeping a net's ephemeral and filigreed character.
Wanders' taste for diversity is visible in his many and various designer lights. The Moooi Hang suspension features a classical, timeless, no-frills design.
The extraordinary Zeppelin suspension, available at Flos is an ironic tribute to the classical chandelier, while its shade with spider webs looks as if it were straight out of a fairy tale or a mysterious dream.
Also Wanders' lights in the Skygarden-collection by Flos are associated with opulent, traditional architecture because the seemingly simple, dome-shaped light fixture bears a stucco-like, intricated relief structure inside.
Many designer objects by Wanders are displayed in permanent exhibitions in major museums across the world. They are exhibited in the MoMa in New York, in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, in the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich and in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.