This morning I attended a special media breakfast at Cult to celebrate the launch of the new Australian design brand, NAU. Marking 20 years as the leading purveyor of international design in Australia, the exciting launch sees Cult expand into the production, manufacture and retail of Australian design with a contemporary brand that offers furniture, lighting and accessories by a collective of Australia’s most curious, talented and spirited designers.
Now is the time for a new Australian design movement. New by necessity, Australia’s design culture stems from a place of isolation; our influences are unique from the rest of the world, and we have no design ancestry with which to adhere. We are free to immerse ourselves amongst our extreme natural landscapes and unique materials, and as a result have carved out a resourceful, hands-on and open-minded design culture. NAU is the embodiment of this fresh thinking, broad-spectrum approach, offering contemporary furniture, lighting and accessories brand by a collective of Australia’s most spirited designers including Adam Cornish, Adam Goodrum, Gavin Harris and Jack Flanagan. Producing designs suitable for residential and commercial spaces, from elegant lounge furniture to modular shelving with endless possibility, the NAU collection is reductive in form, honest in materiality and timeless in style.
Driven by the ambition to bring premium European design to Australia, Richard Munao established Cult in 1997 with a humble showroom in the backstreets of Chippendale. Since then, Cult has grown into the leading purveyor of the best international design in Australia and New Zealand, with a portfolio of over 35 brands across furniture, lighting and accessories. Over two decades, Cult has evolved from showroom destination to full-service design house; diversifying into the production, manufacture and retail of Australian design. In 2014 Cult launched its first exclusive collection of Australian furniture; the AG x Cult capsule by acclaimed designer Adam Goodrum. Since then, Cult’s product development has grown significantly and it’s time to establish these designs as one brand, and promote Australian creativity to the world. From this, NAU is born.
Bigola Armchair & Table by Adam Goodrum for NAU
Bell Pendant, Malloy Dining Table & Malloy Chair by Adam Goodrum for NAU
“After more than 20 years in the design industry in Australia, I have grown an unwavering passion for the production and manufacture of Australian furniture. I truly believe we are at the cusp of a new Australian design movement, and I am incredibly proud to introduce NAU to the market and promote Australian creativity to the world.”- Richard Munao, Owner & Managing Director of Cult and Founder of NAU
Nest Tables by Adam Goodrum for NAU
NAU launches internationally at ICFF in New York (21-24 May) and locally at DENFAIR in Melbourne (8-10 June). The NAU stands at both fairs are designed by award-winning Australian design firm Design Office and take inspiration from the Australian landscape and palette, including imagery from Brooke Holm. After learning about the beautiful range, from which I’ve shared some favourites in today’s post, I can’t wait to see the exhibition at DENFAIR next month.
Photos 1-5 & 10-12: Styling by Marsha Golemac / Photography by Brooke Holm
Photos 6-9, & 13-15: Styling by Marsha Golemac / Photography by Dan Hocking
The full NAU collection will be available exclusively from all Cult showrooms in Australia and New Zealand from June 2017.
Images courtesy of Cult
