Tuesday, 20 November 2007 | Levent OZLER
IDS 08 Matrix: Tom Dixon, British Design Icon
Tom Dixon is big news. Recently, the NY Times Style Magazine dedicated a 4-page spread to the UK's hottest designer. This past September, Tom used London's Trafalgar Square for a "Great Light Giveaway" of 1000 low energy lights. The year prior, it was the "500 chair grab", also in Trafalgar Square and the longest sofa ever (55 metres) at Milan's Malpensa airport.
Tom's entrée into the design world began with welding recycled materials and industrial scrap from London's steelyards into chairs and tables. It was a series of motorcycle accidents that changed Tom's career path from bassist for London's punk bad Funkapolitans to welder, designer and ultimately manufacturer.
 Known for his iconic Mirror Ball Light, Jack Light and the S Chair (designed for Cappellini), Tom was also the head of design for British furniture chain Habitat. Currently, he is the Creative Director for his eponymous brand TOM DIXON and modernist Finnish Brand ARTEK. Interior design projects include the swanky private club Shoreditch House in East London and residential apartments in Dubai. He has worked on shops for superbrand fashion labels Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood. His work can be found in the permanent collections of the most important museums around the world. Last year, in homage to Lacoste's iconic polo shirt and to his personal passion for eco materials and technology, Tom created the Limited Edition Eco Polo and Techno Polo shirt series for the brand.
At the 2007 Milan furniture fair, Tom introduced an exciting new collection of furniture and accessories. It will be launched in the US in January, and in Canada, or more specificlly Toronto in February at IDS 08, presented by Klaus by Nienkamper. See the new collection and hear Tom speak in the Azure Trade Talks series on Friday, February 22nd and in celebration of the IDS' 10th anniversary, complimentary trade day registration is available now for a limited time at http://www.interiordesignshow.com
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