By Cassandra Pizzey / 13-04-2011

Tell us what you're presenting this year in Milan.

"Firstly the white tent we're currently inside. I made a number of them previously on commission and then decided to make one to display my own designs. It's a blow-up tent but because the separate cells are inflated - and subsequently closed off - there is no need for a continuous pump."

What about the 'fat' furniture?
"They were influenced by a commission I did for a hotel. The brief was to design a room inspired by Surrealism; something I had little affinity with. While I was looking out over the street from the hotel window, I noticed many overweight people which formed the starting point for these 'exploded' chairs."

What do you mean by exploded?
"The buttons are placed are strange points, as if they had burst out of the material - something that happened whilst making the first prototypes -  and the furniture itself is bloated, to the point of exploding."

What materials are they made from?
"There are two different types: one is sewn, the other made from felt."

How does Milan design week compare to Dutch design week?
"I think Eindhoven more focussed on entertainment. By that I mean that there aren't many seriously interested people who visit, such as galleries. In Milan there's a much more international crowd and all the major galleries are present or come to visit."

How did you end up at Designersblock?
"I'd exhibited with them before and there was a really laid-back atmosphere. Also, they really help with most of the organizing, so I approached them for Milan. I did look around for a solo-space but this location is much better!"

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