IAMMI Studio
Stephanie and Nicolau, please introduce yourself:
Hi, we are Stephanie and Nicolau — together, IAMMI.
As a design studio, we explore the fascinating interplay between classic and contemporary aesthetics, pushing boundaries with bold, unconventional combinations. We aim to challenge traditional notions and evoke emotion through playful subversion and provocation. Our motto is:
“Where timeless ideas find their home”
Tofu_Do not eat
#1 How does your dynamic collaboration as a design duo influence your projects? Are there clear roles or does your creativity come from a fluid exchange?
In our early projects, our two identities were clearly distinguishable: we followed distinctly different aesthetic lines, and it wasn’t hard to tell who had led the work. However, years of constant collaboration and shared experience have allowed us to achieve perfect harmony, working today in such close symbiosis that we almost feel like a single mind.
That said, each project still retains a clear division of roles: Stephanie primarily focuses on communication and aesthetics, while Nicolau handles the technical and industrial development. However, concept, ideation and design remain a constant dialogue—a creative flow that involves both of us at every stage.
#2 How does your base in Italy - with its rich design history - influence your work, and how do you combine this with your individual cultural backgrounds?
The place where we live inevitably influences and inspires us. Until last year, we lived in the French Riviera, where we were captivated by their appreciation for the raw beauty of materials. From Italy, on the other hand, we’ve certainly learned how to be bold in our projects: designing products with a strong, distinctive character, built on concepts that are subjects of our daily life yet universally deeply meaningful. Italy's rich design heritage, rooted in centuries of artistic and architectural traditions, has shaped our approach to design. We draw inspiration from the timeless elegance of Italian craftsmanship and the way it blends innovation with deep respect for tradition, mixing it with our personal experiences and references.
CLOUDS_Embracing Ethereal Comfort
#3 Your designs often have a strong emotional component. How do you ensure that your objects are not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally engaging and meaningful?
We believe that the key to creating meaningful projects lies in where you choose to seek inspiration. The risk is to focus on drawing from current trends and what has already been done. For us, it’s essential to go beyond that and integrate everything that forms part of your present reality. This doesn’t just mean the materials and production techniques at your disposal, but also using projects as a means of personal expression, tackling themes and challenges that are deeply connected to our everyday life. To ensure our objects are emotionally engaging, we place great importance on the stories they tell and the emotional resonance they evoke. We aim for our designs to be more than aesthetically pleasing; we want them to stir feelings, evoke memories, and form lasting connections with those who experience them. In this way, design becomes a tool not only for beauty but for deep, meaningful interaction.
#4 Your projects operate at the intersection of art and design. How do you decide if a design goes more in one direction or the other?
When creating a project, the decision to direct it more towards art or design often depends on the complexity and immediacy of the concept. More intricate designs, which require deeper interpretation and engagement, tend to lean towards the world of art and collectible design. These projects evoke emotions in a more subtle way and often require the viewer to invest time in understanding their full meaning. On the other hand, designs with a simpler, more immediate appeal are typically oriented towards the design world. These works are meant to resonate quickly with a wider audience, offering a more direct emotional connection. Ultimately, it’s about the nature of the interaction we want to create: art invites contemplation and interpretation, while design connects more instantly with people.
Frankenstein Leather Collection
#5 IAMMI has a distinctive design language. With the ‚Frankenstein Leather Collection‘ you combine foam and leather in an unusual and innovative way. What is the significance of this material combination for you and how does it influence the perception and use of the objects?
With the ‘Frankenstein Leather Collection’, we wanted to explore the contrast between appearance and reality. The design has a deconstructed look, with an intentionally raw and contemporary stitching technique, but the result is compact and well-structured. This combination of high-quality luxury leather with a bold, almost unfinished aesthetic allows us to challenge the perception of what’s traditionally considered refined and elegant. We like to experiment with materials that seem contradictory at first glance, creating designs that defy immediate expectations. Our goal is to play with these perceptual contrasts—what appears disjointed or rough is actually carefully crafted and cohesive for example. This approach extends across our broader work, where we mix traditional and luxurious materials with more experimental, regenerated, or even leftover materials. For us, working with perception is key, and this will be a central theme in our upcoming Milan Design Week exhibition, 'SENSES.' Co-curated with Materia Studio, the exhibition will present a selection of both new and existing designs by us in a fully sensory experience, inviting the audience to engage with our creations through touch, sight, and beyond.
#6 In a world of rapid consumption - how do you integrate sustainability into your work, and how do you define the longevity of a design?
We integrate sustainability into our work by focusing on both the conceptual and material aspects of our designs.
From a conceptual standpoint, our products are highly emotional and timeless, designed to transcend trends rather than follow them. This means they are not subject to the constant cycle of being replaced or discarded when a new trend emerges. Their enduring appeal ensures they remain cherished pieces over time.
On the material side, we prioritize sustainability by using eco-friendly and innovative materials. Our furniture is not only crafted with sustainable resources but is also designed to be recyclable. In this way, our designs reflect our commitment to longevity and environmental responsibility in every dimension.
Friendly Monster Cabinet_Welcome the Extraordinary and Celebrate the Unconventional
#7 How do you see your role as designers in today’s society?
As in any profession, being a designer comes with responsibilities. At IAMMI, we believe one of the most important roles of a designer is to make people feel good. Design is about functionality and, luckily, is now closely linked to sustainability. But what we consider truly essential is the emotional impact of a space – how it makes you feel.
Creating environments that promote well-being is at the core of contemporary design for us. With AI becoming more prevalent, we believe it’s crucial for designers to bring their own ideas and creativity into the process. AI is a powerful tool, but it should support, not replace, human innovation. Designers must continue to push their creativity to ensure their work remains original and meaningful.
#8 How does your environment influence your work?
We live in a house surrounded by greenery, which gives us the space to breathe and recharge, especially after the constant production trips we make. Our family and friends are incredibly diverse, and together they create this amazing sense of osmosis. We’re not selective about sticking to a single environment or type of person—we love adapting, embracing variety, and having fun.
The same philosophy applies to our work: the recipe is always changing, but the flavor is consistently good.
MIND THE GAP
#9 Three things that inspire you at the moment?
Our daughter, the functional and provocative design of the French artists Lalanne, and the craft exploration led by JW Anderson for Loewe.
#10 What do you currently read, watch, listen to?
We “read” a ton of memes, watch endless biographies of people far removed from our world, and we’re always listening to music - lately, though, we’re obsessed with Lucio Corsi.
Links: www.iammistudio.com
Instagram: iammi.iammi
Photo Credits: IAMMI
Interview by Lisa Puschmann