YEAR IN REVIEW. Highlights from 2022
From three new store openings to book launches, street parties, award galas and inspiring trips abroad to design festivals in Milan, Copenhagen and London; 2022 has been a big year for the Cult team! Here we wrap up the highlights.
January.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
We kicked off the year with an important anniversary for Cult, as we celebrated our 25th birthday! To commemorate this significant milestone, we sat down with our Founder and Director, Richard Munao, to debrief on a handful of his most significant memories from the past quarter of a century. We also ran a giveaway series throughout the year.
CULT CONSULTATIONS
Our complimentary consultation process begins with getting to know you. This new service launched at the start of the year, allowing clients to book in 1:1 digital or face-to-face appointments with our knowledgable and dedicated retail and trade consultants.
PRODUCT LAUNCH | NAMI CONFERENCE
Handcrafted in NSW from sustainably certified solid timber, the Nami Conference table series is the latest edition to the Nami collection by Tom Fereday for Cult's in-house design brand, nau. Combining precision craftsmanship with functionality, Nami Conference can be customised to suit a plethora of commercial environments.
February.
IDEA GALA
The Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) is Australia’s largest and most successful independent design awards program. Cult has been a proud sponsor since the very first event in 2013, and we extend our warmest congratulations to the all practices awarded at the belated IDEA 2021 ceremony, especially Yasmine Ghoniem of YSG Studio who was awarded the top 'Designer of the Year' award.
PRODUCT LAUNCH | MEGA TULIP
Designed for the workplace of tomorrow, Mega Tulip is designed by Adam Goodrum for our in-house design brand, nau. Suitable for a plethora of commercial environments ranging from flexible workplaces to lobbies to public areas, Mega Tulip has a distinctive softness that also lends itself to residential settings.
DESIGN SHOW | CULT LOUNGE
Designed for meeting, reflection and conversation, our curated lounge area at Design Show in Melbourne was the launch pad for Mega Tulip - a new modular sofa system designed by Adam Goodrum that introduces new possibilities for commercial lounging. Mega Tulip was awarded 'Best in Show - Furniture' at the Editor's Choice Awards.
DESIGN SHOW | CULTIVATED X HAY EXHIBITION
A year after the re-launch of our sustainability program, Cultivated returned to the spotlight with a dedicated exhibition at Design Show 2022. The exhibition showcased the process behind restoring 16 x HAY AAL chairs that were destined for landfill after five years of intensive use at a Westfield shopping centre in Perth.
March.
THE CHAIRITY PROJECT
After a five-year hiatus, The Chairity Project returned for its fourth edition. This celebrated Cult fundraising event invites leading Australian creatives to bravely reinterpret an iconic chair, which are exhibited nation-wide in a travelling exhibition and auctioned off for charity.
In 2022, 18 creatives from a cross section of disciplines reimagined the HAY Result chair - a 1950’s classic by Friso Kramer and Wim Rietveld for Ahrend, now in production by HAY. We raised just over AUD $30,000 for Red Cross, Gunawirra, Cancer Council, St Vincent de Paul and Greening Australia.
CHAIRITY MELBOURNE EXHIBITION & LAUNCH PARTY
Launched in conjunction with Melbourne Design Week, The Chairity Project opened with a party and four-day exhibition at the Cult Melbourne showroom.
CHAIRITY SYDNEY EXHIBITION & CLOSING PARTY
The Chairity Project exhibition then travelled to Sydney, and was on show for a week at the new HAY Sydney store on Crown Street. The project concluded with a closing party for 200 guests.
NAWIC IWD BREAKFAST AT CULT SYDNEY
Cult has proudly supported the NAWIC International Women's Day Scholarship for 13 years, giving 13 women the opportunity to undertake research that challenges or changes the current industry thinking. During this breakfast event at the Cult Sydney showroom, 2021 scholarship winner, Emma Hassett, presented her research, and the 2022 winner, Gabrielle French was awarded.
HAY SYDNEY STORE LAUNCH
Our HAY Sydney store relocated to a larger site down the road from its previous location, and now occupies an expansive space on the ground floor of a new architectural build by SJB Architects. The industrial design of the new store features minimal concrete pylons, plus a stand-out travertine wrap-around bench. HAY Sydney is open daily at 255 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, 2010.
April.
NAU POP-UP IN PERTH
We collaborated with esteemed gallery KolbuszSpace in Perth on a special exhibition celebrating Australian art and design. On show for one week only, the exhibition showcased new releases by Adam Goodrum and Tom Fereday for Cult's in-house design brand, nau, alongside significant artworks curated by KolbuszSpace. The exhibition launched with an exclusive cocktail party attended by over 120 creatives from Perth's design community.
MOTHER'S DAY | CULT X THE DESIGN FILES EDIT
We partnered with leading design website, The Design Files, on a special Mother's Day campaign highlighting our top picks to spoil mum including portable lighting, sculptural vases, glassware and more.
May.
GUBI B2B EXCLUSIVE
In May, we were thrilled to announce Cult's appointment as the exclusive* B2B vendor of Danish design brand Gubi in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Following a long and successful partnership, which has seen Cult distribute GUBI in Australia for 10+ years both as a B2B supplier and B2C retailer, this new exclusivity appointment marked a significant milestone for both companies.
PRODUCT LAUNCH | LUNA WALL HOOK
Meaning ‘the moon’ in Latin, Luna is a new sculptural wall hook with a minimal aesthetic, inspired by the rounded curve of a crescent moon. Designed by René Linssen for our Australian design brand nau, Luna is available in two sizes and three timber finishes.
June.
SALONE DEL MOBILE - MILAN
Italy’s annual design event brings together the world’s best international design brands for a preview of the latest launches in furniture, lighting and lifestyle. Six members from the Cult team attended the 2022 edition, to discover the latest news and inspiration from our brand partners and beyond including Cappellini, Louis Poulsen, Nanimarquina, Zanotta, Softline and Carl Hansen & Son.
3 DAYS OF DESIGN - COPENHAGEN
Denmark's annual design event, 3 Days of Design, returned from 15 – 17 June in Copenhagen with a city-wide showcase of new design launches, workshops, talks, and parties. The streets were buzzing with energy and passion for design, and our Cult team from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore had such an inspiring time reconnecting with our brand partners from &Tradition, Carl Hansen & Son, Fredericia, Fritz Hansen, GUBI, HAY, Karakter, Louis Poulsen, Mater, Montana and Vipp.
July.
HOUSES AWARDS GALA
Presented by Houses Magazine, this annual awards program celebrates Australia’s best residential projects. Excellence is rewarded in nine categories, with the best house receiving the premier award of Australian House of the Year, which Cult has proudly supported since 2010. Congratulations to all award winners, in particular, Studio Bright for winning the Australian House of the Year this year for Autumn House in Melbourne.
August.
INDE AWARDS GALA
Presented by Indesign Media Asia Pacific, this annual awards program is unique in its celebration of the Indo Pacific, bringing together the best in architecture and design to celebrate that which defines our region. Two nau collections, including Mega Tulip by Adam Goodrum and Nami by Tom Fereday, were shortlisted for 'The Object' category, and Mega Tulip was awarded an 'Honourable Mention' at the gala event.
FREDERICIA GALLERY - CULT MELBOURNE
In August, we launched our new Fredericia Gallery at the Cult Melbourne showroom, which showcases authentic, purposeful and sustainable design from Danish brand Fredericia. Crafted to last, the Fredericia collection of furniture and lighting is exclusively available in Australia at Cult.
IDEA SHORTLIST REVEAL - CULT BRISBANE
The Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) is Australia’s largest and most successful independent design awards program, which Cult has proudly supported for over a decade. It was an absolute pleasure to host the IDEA 2022 Shortlist Reveal at Cult Brisbane on 18 August, with 80 design industry leaders in attendance. We were also delighted to see five nau products shortlisted for the 'Object - Furniture & Lighting - Professional' category including the Broad Pendant by Kate Stokes, Nami range by Tom Fereday, Banksia Oil Lamp by Zachary Hanna, and the Mega Tulip and Harbour ranges by Adam Goodrum.
DEZEEN AWARDS
From over 5,400 entries from 90 countries, we were thrilled to see two nau collections, Nami and Mega Tulip, among just 270 other longlisted designs in this global awards program.
September.
FATHER'S DAY | KARAKTER X AUTONOMY DISTILLERS GIFT SETS
We partnered with Danish brand, Karakter and Melbourne-based spirit makers, Autonomy Distillers to bring Dad the gift he deserves for Father's Day. Our limited-edition gift sets included 2 x Sferico glasses by Joe Colombo - an iconic geometric design from 1968 - plus a bottle of Native Australian Amaro - a complex aperitif that evokes the smell of the bush after the rain, with cinnamon myrtle, pepperberry and lemon gum notes.
SYDNEY DESIGN WEEK | REVIVING DESIGN ICONS BY CULTIVATED X FRITZ HANSEN
Our award-winning sustainability initiative, Cultivated, presented Reviving Design Icons during Sydney Design Week; a behind-the-scenes event at the Powerhouse workshop that offered a rare insight into the restoration process of the Fritz Hansen Series 7 Chair, one of the most iconic chairs in furniture history. The event saw over 180 visitors across a two-day exhibition that documented the circular economy in action.
LIVE REPORTS FROM LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL
Marking the festival’s 20th anniversary, the 2022 edition featured a programme of more than 300 events across 12 design districts, including exhibitions, talks, workshops and open studios. Cult was live on the ground for the first time, and shared the latest news and inspiration from Fritz Hansen, HAY, &Tradition, Fredericia, Carl Hansen & Son and more.
GOOD DESIGN AWARDS
We were delighted to see nau take home four awards at the Good Design 2022 ceremony last Friday for Mega Tulip by Adam Goodrum, Banksia Oil Lamp by Zachary Hanna, Nami by Tom Fereday and Terrace by Adam Cornish. Thank you to Good Design Awards for the recognition and congratulations to all awarded designers!
CULT X PINTEREST
This September, we reactivated our Pinterest account and post weekly with design inspiration and Cult edits, plus the latest brand and product news and imagery.
October.
NAU 2022 LOOK BOOK
nau is a contemporary design brand celebrated for championing a uniquely Australian creative vision, with a versatile collection that spans both residential and commercial applications. Marking the brand's sixth anniversary, we produced our first-ever collection shoot featuring nau furniture, lighting and accessories favourites released over the last half-decade by Adam Goodrum, Kate Stokes, Tom Fereday, Adam Cornish, Zachary Hanna, Rene Linssen and Jack Flanagan. The nau 2022 look book was shot at Queens Park House in Sydney, Australia, designed by Tribe Architects. Styling by Claire Delmar, photography by Anson Smart.
PRODUCT LAUNCH | LINCOLN SOFA, NEST MONOCHROME TABLES , FURL COAT STAND
In October, we were thrilled to present nau 2022 – the newest collection from our Australian design brand nau. We teamed up again with Sydney’s Adam Goodrum for three covetable pieces, including the new Lincoln sofa, Nest Monochrome side tables and Furl coat stand, which showcase Adam’s world-renowned innovation and distinctly Australian aesthetic.
DESIGN SHOW | LINCOLN GIN LOUNGE
Presented by Cult in partnership with Four Pillars Gin and Kvadrat Maharam, the Lincoln Gin Lounge was a place for meeting, socialising and conversation during Design Show 2022. Envisioned as an ‘anti-VIP’ space to bring the industry together, Design Show attendees were welcomed to visit the lounge and discuss Australia’s creative future over a complimentary selection of Four Pillars’ latest gin drinks.
DESIGN SHOW | NAU 2022 STAND
Styled amongst an understated backdrop of layered sheer curtains from Kvadrat Maharam in yellow and pink tones, the nau 2022 collection was presented in a series of soft residential settings to highlight its sophisticated design and versatility. Here we unveiled Lincoln, a new modular sofa system designed by Adam Goodrum which was awarded 'Best Furniture' at the show's Editor's Choice Awards. Other nau novelties on show included the Furl coat stand and Nest Monochrome tables by Adam Goodrum, alongside collection bestsellers.
November.
ARENT&PYKE BOOK LAUNCH EVENTS
We were delighted to host Arent&Pyke's book launch events at our Sydney and Melbourne showrooms! The new book, 'Interiors Beyond the Primary Palette' addresses the Sydney-based design studio's ethos expressed through joy, colour, character, spirit and alchemy, and showcases their best work.
HAY MELBOURNE STORE OPENING
Seven years since the opening of the first HAY store in Australia on Crown Street, Sydney, the Danish design brand has expanded with the launch of its second Australian retail space in Fitzroy. The premium 160m2 HAY Melbourne store is managed and operated by Cult Design, and brings a full retail experience of the world of HAY to Melbourne design lovers. Curated through an Australian design lens, HAY Melbourne features a vibrant mural by local artist Jasmine Mansbridge and stand-out retail counter designed by Adam Goodrum using recycled milk bottle caps from plastic recycling company Defy Design. Open daily at 176 Johnston Street, Fitzroy VIC 3066.
CULT SINGAPORE STORE OPENING
We're delighted to expand our Australasian presence with the opening of our first Singapore showroom. Located in a conservation property at 48 Club Street, we worked with Paper Plane Architects to gently restore the interior and design a space that interplays the traditional, the contemporary and the timeless. Cult Singapore is open now and home to well-known Australian collections from nau, Tait and Coco Flip, plus Danish design houses &Tradition, Vipp, Gubi and HAY.
CULT SINGAPORE LAUNCH PARTY
We welcomed over 120 guests to celebrate the launch of our new Singapore showroom in the heart of the buzzing Chinatown district. Thank you to everyone who joined us, along with our event partners Four Pillars Gin, Mud Australia, NON, Fost Gallery and Indesign Media Asia Pacific CUBES magazine.
IDEA GALA - MELBOURNE
The Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) is Australia’s largest and most successful independent design awards program. Launched by Inside magazine in 2003, the program celebrates the best of Australian interior and product design across 14 categories and six Special Awards, including the 'Designer of the Year' award which Cult has proudly sponsored for over a decade. Congratulations to all winners, in particular, Russell & George, for winning Designer of the Year 2022.
NAWIC AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE - SYDNEY
At the NAWIC NSW Awards For Excellence 2022, we proudly supported the live auction to raise funds that support the advancement of women in the construction industry. Cult donated 2 x FRITZ HANSEN PK0 chairs which were auctioned off for AUD$36,000. The funds raised will contribute to a scholarship for female senior leaders in the construction industry.
December.
CULT BLOOD DRIVE
Recently our dear colleague and friend Chelsea Rodrigues was diagnosed with terminal cancer at age 32. We became aware of Australia’s blood shortage after seeing Chelsea supported by life-saving blood transfusions - namely, that 1 in 3 people will need blood, but only 1 in 30 donate. In response, we worked with Chelsea to launch a new Blood Drive initiative via Lifeblood with the goal to generate 100 blood donations throughout December.
Read Chelsea's story
HAY MELBOURNE STREET PARTY
Over 120 guests joined us to celebrate the launch of our new HAY Melbourne store, which is nestled on the corner of Johnston and Napier streets in Fitzroy. The street was styled with Palissade furniture, where guests enjoyed drinks in the sunshine, a beautiful grazing table styled with accessories from the new Sobremesa range by Laila Gohar, delicious lasagne pies and a strawberry and chamomile pavlova birthday cake by Cake Barr.
HAY X HOPE ST RADIO BREAKFAST
We hosted a special breakfast with HAY at Hope Street Radio to celebrate the opening of our new HAY Melbourne store, plus the new HAY Phaidon book and HAY's 20th anniversary. Head chef Ellie Bouhadana created a beautiful breakfast menu which was enjoyed by a lovely group of guests from Melbourne's creative community, followed by a guided tour of the new HAY Melbourne store.
View event gallery