The Belgian design scene is vast and diverse. Belgian institutions are always at the forefront of supporting the people, new projects and products that make our country dynamic and unique.
Julien Renault is the Designer of the Year 2023!
Julien Renault has been operating from Brussels since 2009, where he founded his own studio in 2015. His work sits at the intersection between artistic and industrial product design while also venturing into photography and creative direction. Renault's eponymous studio has successfully completed projects for renowned international design brands such as Hem, Hay, Massproductions, Mattiazzi and others.
Amélie Rombauts, Design and Architecture editor at Knack Weekend, says the following about his appointment: “In a sea of drops and must-haves that we often forget after a few months, Julien Renault creates timeless classics. His furniture and objects don't clamor for attention. Their beauty lies in the subtleties that become apparent only when you take the time to observe them: the graceful curve of a table leg, the elegant neck of a pitcher, the silhouette of a wall shelf. With these details, he captivates not only the present generation of design enthusiasts but undoubtedly the next.”
Looking ahead, Julien Renault has a series of exciting projects in the pipeline. In 2022, he launched his debut collection with Hay, called Pastis, which pays homage to the cafés and brasseries missed during the previous years. In 2023, he unveiled two new collections, Milk and Rod, in collaboration with Nine at 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen. Milk features an industrial carafe and glasses set, while Rod showcases a more artistic approach to product design, exemplifying the unique dichotomy of Julien’s design approach. This fall, Nine and Julien will release a third collection together, called Inline, showcasing a singular design language applied to a shelving and side table collection.
