Recently we welcomed over 300 guests to Cult Sydney in celebration of our 25th anniversary and launch of the Cult Design Icons exhibition, which showcases 25 design icons curated by 25 leading Australian creatives who have played a significant role in Cult’s 25-year journey.

Guests enjoyed a night stepping back in time, with signature cocktails by Four Pillars Gin, a retro grazing table (hello prawn cocktails!), disco ball installation, design icon art contest, Sacco beanbag lounge and much more. 

Read on to see more from the party!

Photography by Jiwon Kae

Established by Richard Munao (left) in 1997, for 25 years Cult has championed authenticity and established its position as the home of design icons and go-to destination for authentic 20th-century furniture and lighting. 

“At Cult we are proud to advocate for authentic design and the value of investing in original design icons. We are passionate about sharing the surprising stories behind the world’s most recognisable design icons and the legendary designers behind them,” shares Richard.

Guests arriving at Cult's 25th anniversary party.

On show until 01 March 2023 at Cult Sydney, the Cult Design Icons exhibition showcases 25 of the world’s most recognisable furniture and lighting designs by Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Le Corbusier, Verner Panton, Achille Castiglioni and more. Showcasing expert craftsmanship and innovative ideas, this exhibition explores the makers, ideologies and social contexts that have shaped the design landscape over the last century.

Guests exploring the Cult Design Icons exhibition. 

Each icon in the exhibition is presented alongside personal anecdotes from the curators who have selected them; some who have loaned designs from their private collections for the exhibition.

Curators include influential designers and architects, design editors, leading stylists, fashion designers and other prominent leaders from the Australian design industry.

Meet the curators >

Claire Delmar (left) and Aleesha Callahan (right) - two of the 25 exhibition curators with their design icon selections.

From devilled eggs to prawn cocktails, guests enjoyed a retro grazing table inspired by dinner parties from the 50s - 70s; an era when many of the designs featured in the exhibition were created. Guests also enjoyed signature cocktails designed with Four Pillars Gin, including an 'Lampe de Martini' with Olive Leaf Gin Martini, 'Swan Collins' with Rare Dry Gin and 'Fronzoni Fizz' with Bloody Shiraz Gin.  

Over 300 guests from the design industry attened the event, including leading architects, interior designs and editors who have played a big role in Cult's 25-year journey. The Cult Design Icons exhibition is on show at a gallery space adjoining the Cult Flagship Showroom at 21-23 Levey Street, Chippendale, Sydney 2008. On show now until Wednesday 01 March, 2023.

Part of the Cult Sydney showroom was transformed into a disco, complete with a lounge of iconic Zanotta Sacco beanbags and disco ball instalation. Guests danced all night long under the disco ball, with the best of Diana Ross playing well past midnight.

Cult's Founder and CEO, Richard Munao, made a speech welcoming guests and sharing highlights from the last 25 years in business as Cult has evolved over the years. Thank you to Carl Hansen & Son for donating a CH24 Wishbone Chair as the lucky door prize, and congratulations to the winner  Brett Mickan!

Guests were invited to get creative and make an artwork inspired by their favourite design icon from the Cult collection for the chance to win an &Tradition Flowerpot VP9 Portable Lamp by Verner Panton. 

All exhibition visitors are welcome to enter the Design Icon Art Contest. Adjoining the exhibition is a creative table with paints, pencils, fabric and more to create your entry. Interstate or unable to visit the exhibition? You can still join in! Create your artwork on an A5 card and simply post it to Cult Sydney by 01 March. 

A shortlist will be selected by our exhibition curators, and the final winner will be chosen by Cult’s CEO, Richard Munao, on 02 March.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our 25th anniversary! We had a such a great night with all our friends, clients and partners under the disco ball. Here's to another 25 years!

Created in partnership with Design by Toko, Cult has produced two limited-edition exhibition posters which are available to purchase Australia-wide online at cultdesign.com.au. Event guests received a copy of the poster as they left the event, and all shortlisted design icons art contest entries will receie a copy of the poster too. 

Visit the Cult Design Icons exhibition.

Cult is the purveyor of the best in international design with a portfolio of over 25 brands across furniture, lighting, accessories, storage and kitchen – predominantly from Denmark and Italy. Shop online Australia-wide at cultdesign.com.au, or find your local store and view opening hours here.