The power of women: meet the UK’s best female designers

Empathetic, resourceful and tough as nails, a new wave of female designers are making their mark.
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Kate Burnett23 April 2019

An ever-growing group of creative women in the design world are forming their own companies, becoming powerful influencers and taking their place in the boardrooms.

Here we meet just a few of them.

Sophie Ashby: go-to designer of hip London restaurants and smart homes

Interior designer Sophie Ashby, the go-to designer for some of London’s hippest restaurants and smart homes, learnt her skills at college, where she studied art and design.

Sophie, 30, who lives in Marylebone with her husband, the fashion designer Charlie Casely-Hayford, decided to put her creative skills to good use by founding an interiors practice, Studio Ashby, which she has run for five years.

“I wanted to be an interior designer from about the age of 17. I think my industry is changing and it’s really exciting to see the likes of up-and-coming designers such as Beata Heuman and Fran Hickman.

“I feel appreciated for my skills now. Within my company we’ve produced a body of work that speaks for itself and I am no longer fighting to justify our seat at the table. It surprises me that in most commercial projects I am still the only woman at the boardroom table.

"I think women and men should be considered equals as designers and judged on talent and skill over anything else. But I do think women are better listeners and that women are more aware of domestic needs when designing a home.

"My advice is to support other women. I love the ‘shine theory’ — that if you help another woman shine, then you shine too.”

Ilsa Parry: product designer

Ilsa Parry, 38, lives with her husband Anthony, a design and technolgy teacher, in Liverpool, and works on projects and a gift range from a city-centre studio. She featured in the recent BBC2 series The Victorian House of Arts and Crafts. “

“By the age of 24 I had finished my degree in 3D design and was teaching in an all-boys high school. I moved to a college of further education and it was around that time that I got my first studio, a tiny 6ft by 10ft space.

"I am quite independent minded. I think this helps in terms of overcoming preconceived ideas, for example in getting the students to relate to me, especially when I am trying to introduce them to new skills.

Ilsa Parry: the Liverpool-based designer says women’s sense of purpose and resourcefulness makes them productive designers. Her Sphere fibre-glass seat spears into the ground. Her ghost lamp delights children

“My product designs are often based on an empathetic approach, such as my walking stick or the ghost lamp I designed for kids.

"Women are good at design because they are purposeful and resourceful, and they understand people’s needs whether emotional or physical. I think there has been a shift in society, and women now have more confidence and self-belief.

Pereen d’Avoine: architect

Third-generation architect Pereen d’Avoine, 39, lives in Limehouse with her partner and fellow architect Mathew and their daughter.

She founded her practice, Russian for Fish, in 2006 with her co-director Nilesh Shah. They work on a range of projects, from home extensions to whole houses and work spaces.

“My dad has his own architecture practice and has always maintained a strong female presence in the team. My mother ran her own accountancy firm and my aunts all worked for themselves, so I never questioned my decision to train as an architect or my subsequent decision to set up my own practice.

“I have definitely seen the women in architecture movement grow stronger and more prominent in recent years. Architecture is a demanding profession but because I run my own practice I can be flexible.

"The proportion of female-led practices is low and I believe that the professional demands on time are the reason.

"There are lots of wonderful people and practices to help women considering architecture, where gender is not seen as relevant, and personality and skill are valued.

"Architecture is a small world. Meet, talk and listen to people, and use the information you glean to apply to the companies you feel are right for you.”

Dara Huang: architect

Dara Huang, 35, is single and lives in Chelsea and Hong Kong. She co-parents her son, known as Wolfie, with her former partner Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Huang studied architecture at Harvard and heads the team at Design Haus Liberty, her own practice based in London and founded in 2013.

Dara Huang: she studied architecture at Harvard and runs her London practice, Design Haus Liberty. A mother herself, she says too many new mums “disappear” from the workplace

“When I had to pick a degree I naturally gravitated towards architecture because my parents were insistent on a professional qualification. At first they didn’t love the idea of me being an architect but I think they are fine with it now. I only thought about what I wanted to do and what excited me.

“I don’t think we give enough options to working mothers and there is a huge decline in the profession after a certain age. The most talented women that went to Harvard with me have disappeared from the industry.

“I try to mentor the young women in my studio and I’m also a working mother, so leading by example is the best way, setting the way for other mothers not to lose confidence or feel compromised.

“We’re not fragile flowers — we’re tough as nails.”

Bethan Gray: designer

Born in Cardiff, Bethan Gray was inspired to learn woodwork from her grandfather. She completed a degree in 3D design and won a scholarship to work at Habitat.

She has become a huge infuence in modern design, with 16 collections to her credit featuring beautiful combinations of materials such as stone, shell and ceramics.

Bethan Gray: with Emily Johnson of the ceramics company 1882 creating their Lustre collection of bone china tableware

“Women have always done amazing things in design, but they are a lot more visible now.

"When I was at college I looked up to historical figures such as Eileen Gray and Charlotte Perriand, but I wasn’t aware of many contemporary female designers. Now there are a whole host of brilliant women in the public eye.

“Running your own business can be really empowering. Part of the reason for setting up my own design studio and making my own work was to escape the limitations and expectations of the corporate world.

“If you can, find a mentor or a champion farther up in your company or within the wider industry. Having a woman who has been where you are and who can offer insightful advice is absolutely invaluable.

“And my request is to make space for women. The loudest voice in the room isn’t always the one most worth listening to.”

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