Interview: Annett and Kerstin of ANVE

I recently wrote of my love of the fantastic long cord lights recently made available by Portuguese design studio ANVE in Lisbon. Imagine my surprise and delight then, to find that a very dear friend had spoiled me by procuring a couple for me from their shop! I immediately got in touch with ANVE to see if they'd indulge London Lisbonite with a little bit of background for my dear readers and also to stalk their new ideas, like a "paper bag" made from goatskin which will revolutionise the world of packed lunches. Over to Annett!

1. Tell us how you got started and what it is you do?
Kerstin and I met in Lisbon about a year ago. We had both recently moved here for love, still didn't know the city very well, and started roaming the bairros, the neighborhoods, together, hills up and down. Like this we stumbled into many odd little stores, specialized in screws or ropes, pans or buttons, many still holding stock from ages ago – things that in more capitalized countries like Germany have long vanished. We were just sparking with ideas what to use this or that for, and during coffee breaks our paper napkins were covered with little drawings. Soon we felt like a good team and decided that this was what we wanted to do, to design things from the materials and skills we find here.
2. What inspires you?
Places. I have been a nomad for the last ten years, living in Tokyo, in Berlin, in Cape Town and Maputo, and now in Lisbon. In Japan, a place I've always felt a very strong connection to, i learned a lot about simplicity and the beauty of time. Mingei and Sori Yanagi has influenced me a lot. Berlin stands for nowness, as it reacts very quickly to what moves us. My friends there who run very individual shops or labels like stue, or Wolfen, are also a huge inspiration. Africa told me an excellent lesson in inventiveness. It's really amazing how people there see something in any bit of material and turn it into something useful and beautiful, with the most basic means. Lisbon is a great place to live. It's beautiful city full of history, it's much slower than other European capitals, and quite affordable. It still has a wealth of culture and crafts not yet wiped out by brands and global mainstream. Nature here is powerful, in the lush old gardens, or on the wild beaches and mountains close by.

3. How did you develop your technical skills?
I've always liked making things, remodeling apartments, making my own clothes. I studied Industrial Design but i prefer learning by doing. You can learn a lot from asking and watching the right people. And a career as an interior and fashion stylist didn't hurt.

4. What's your favourite piece?
In general i like things that stay with me. Things i use every day for decades and i never get tired of. This can be a piece of designer furniture as well as a worn wooden spoon. That's what we would like to achieve with products for ANVE, to create things that stay with their owners. We have just started, but i think the LABORATORIO lamp might be something like this.

5. What do you do when you're not creating/selling?
Creating without selling. I also work as a photographer, and Kerstin works in the field of contemporary art.

6. Where would you like your business to be in 5/6 years time?
In Portugal. Apart from this i find it difficult to plan for such a long period. It would be great if we could make a living out of what we enjoy doing. 7. Any advice for someone starting out?
Personally i would recommend to stay true to your ideas and act ethically. You can't cope with the sharks anyway.