Marina Bautier

I’m not trying to pass on any message with my design. The products are designed to be used and last over time. To work perfectly and blend into the user’s environment.

I’m not working on any interior and exhibition projects at the moment. I’m mainly developing my designs for manufacturers and my own brand. I really love the combination of designer and entrepreneur. Developing ideas, but then also managing the production, thinking about how to promote and sell the products. A good combination of creative and more pragmatic work.

The website is very important to me. And without question Instagram is the most important medium and the only one I actually use. It does seem to be a good vehicle for promotion, as this seems to be the way information spreads. But I don’t direct people to my website to find out more or order products till the end.

Actually Ligne Roset has just stopped producing the mirrors. They were the first piece of mine to go into production, so a great first step in the business, helping to be taken seriously by other brands. But this was a one-off venture with Roset and did not mark the start of a collaboration between us. But I did meet Idée at the Salone, a Japanese brand I still work with today, and some products designed in 2007 are still available today. But most importantly, this has become my strongest and most successful collaboration. We’ve already produced 3 collections together and a few extra pieces. Still ongoing.

I don’t feel really attached to the city workwise. It’s my hometown, where I have my friends and family. I do love the city, as it’s lively, but neither too big neither or too small and makes for a very comfortable life. My work still draws great inspiration from my time in the UK.