Unpacking Vogue Living's Top 50 Designers of 2025
The Australian design landscape continues to evolve with remarkable creativity, innovation, and global influence. Vogue Living's prestigious VL50 list for 2025 celebrates the pinnacle of this talent, showcasing designers who are redefining spaces and pushing boundaries across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. From established design powerhouses to emerging voices, this year's honourees represent the diverse excellence of Australian design on both local and international stages.
The Significance of VL50 in Australian Design
The VL50 stands as the definitive authority on Australia's design elite, recognising not just established maestros but also rising stars who are making significant contributions to the industry. The 2025 list, celebrated with an awards ceremony presented by Mobilia, honours designers selected for their exceptional creativity, dedication to craft, and community contributions.
What makes this year's list particularly noteworthy is the growing international reach of Australian designers, with several studios expanding their influence to prestigious projects across Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Celebrating Australian Design and Global Recognition
As a proud distributor of designer lighting,Nook Collections is honoured to support and collaborate with the incredible talent shaping the Australian design landscape. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of this year's VL50. Your work continues to inspire us and the broader design community, reinforcing Australia’s reputation for excellence. The world is watching, and it is clear that Australian design has never been more influential.
Leading Voices in Australian Interior Design
Thomas Hamel & Associates: Three Decades of Luxury
With a career spanning over three decades, Thomas Hamel has witnessed Australian design "mature and evolve into a globally recognised force." His approach focuses on creating cocoon-like interiors that envelope clients in stylish yet timeless surroundings with rich, layered details that promote comfort and ease.
Hamel's commitment to nurturing industry talent shines through his Mentorship Program, which successfully completed its third iteration in 2024. His studio continues to expand its global footprint with upcoming projects in Sydney's Point Piper, Melbourne's Toorak, Palm Beach, and London's prestigious Mayfair district.
Blainey North Studio: Measured Extravagance
As a major international voice in design, Blainey North approaches spaces with a philosophy that connects interior environments to wellness. "Creating spaces that inspire peace and happiness is so important. We spend most of our lives indoors and should be focusing on the alchemy of these spaces as part of the new wave of wellness," North explains.
Her studio demonstrated remarkable versatility in 2024, stepping into the entertainment world with set design for The Roast of Tom Brady comedy special in Los Angeles - a project that showcased her work to billions of viewers. North's upcoming projects span continents, including a multi-level clinic in Mayfair, a residence in Manhattan's Steinway Tower, and a grand Sydney home.
Jillian Dinkel: Storytelling Through Design
American-born Jillian Dinkel brings a fresh perspective to Australian design, noting the "warmth and openness" that characterises the local industry. With a background in fashion and media, Dinkel has developed a signature style that expertly weaves narratives into her interiors, particularly in heritage properties and period homes.
Her 2024 highlight was establishing a new studio in Woolloomooloo, creating a welcoming base for clients. Looking ahead, Dinkel is tackling her first heritage multi-residential development, alongside new builds in Mosman and a country house project in the Southern Highlands.
Fiona Lynch Office: Soulful Purposeful Design
Renowned for creating soulful spaces with clear purpose, Fiona Lynch approaches each project as "an opportunity for growth and learning." Her dedication was recognised with the prestigious Vogue Living's VL50 Interior Designer of the Year award.
Lynch's talent is now extending beyond Australian shores, with her next major project situated at a vineyard near Siena in Tuscany - highlighting the growing international demand for Australian design sensibilities.
Left: Golden, Right: Greg Natale
Image Credit: From Vogue Living by Eventive Photography
Innovative Studio Approaches
Golden: Environments for Wellbeing
Directors Kylie Buhagiar and Alicia McKimm of Golden have established a practice that emphasises design's potential to enhance emotional and physical wellbeing. "We strive to design environments that enhance how we move, live, and feel in our daily lives, fostering a sense of purpose and optimism," they explain.
Their 2024 highlights included the completion of McKimm's family home and the "once-in-a-decade project" Temple House. Looking forward, the studio is finalising the Mobilia Sydney showroom and undertaking a heritage restoration in Melbourne, demonstrating their versatility across commercial and residential sectors.
Flack Studio: Community-Focused Design
David Flack's approach extends "beyond the physical and tangible" to actively engage with and support the local design community. Through initiatives like Open Library and Plinths, Flack Studio fosters dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning within the Australian design ecosystem.
The studio's international profile continued to rise in 2024 with the launch of the Me and You lighting collection with Volker Haug Studio at Milan Design Week and a showcase at The Future Perfect in Los Angeles. Having completed their first residential project in the US, Flack Studio is now working on several private residences and a new Melbourne hotel.
Akin Atelier: Experiential Brand Environments
Kelvin Ho and his team at Akin Atelier have established themselves as masters of brand identity through environmental design. Whether creating fashion retail spaces or restaurants with distinctive ambiance, their work reflects a desire to "foster community and bring people together" through thoughtful visual storytelling.
Ho cites a research trip to Mexico City as a 2024 highlight, where the team gained inspiration from local designers and architects. Their upcoming hospitality project in Byron Bay, several years in development, promises to reflect the studio's playful approach and depth of consideration.
Pattern Studio: Joy in Problem-Solving
Lily Goodwin and Josh Cain of Pattern Studio have developed a distinctive style that applies equally well to fashionable brand environments and spirit-lifting residences. Their approach centers on finding joy in the design process: "It's a privilege to spend our working hours thinking of how we can thoughtfully and elegantly solve problems."
The studio's talents were recognised with the inaugural VL50 On The Ascent Interior Designer of the Year award in 2024. Their upcoming projects include new iterations of spaces for established clients including Above The Clouds, Nagnata, and Deiji—partnerships that allow them to "play a small part in the stories of these Australian brands."
Established Masters Redefining Australian Design
Greg Natale: Building a Design Empire
Greg Natale continues to expand his design empire, balancing his acclaimed interior design practice with product development. His philosophy centres on "imagining possibilities, creating comfort and crafting environments that foster joy."
Natale's international presence grew significantly in 2024 with the completion of residential projects in both London and New York. His upcoming projects include a country house in Oklahoma, flagship stores for luxury retailer Kennedy, a new décor collection, and a timber flooring collaboration with Tongue & Groove.
Alexander &Co.: Design with Purpose
Jeremy Bull leads his B Corp-certified studio with the conviction that design "has the capacity to heal landscapes and communities when done well." This principled approach comes from his belief that designers "have the authority to imagine any future we can bring ourselves to believe in."
The studio celebrated the launch of Ayrburn, a hospitality precinct in New Zealand's Arrowtown near Queenstown, as their 2024 highlight. Looking ahead, Alexander &Co. will unveil the Mondrian Gold Coast hotel and several integrated architectural and interior design residential projects that have been years in development.
YSG: Cultural Fluency Meets Rock 'n' Roll Attitude
Yasmine Ghoniem's YSG studio continues to garner global recognition for its culturally fluent approach and distinctive attitude described as simultaneously "blue-skied and rock 'n' roll." For Ghoniem, design "breaks down barriers, melds cultures together and heightens curiosity and diversity."
Despite welcoming "YSG Junior" (her first child) in February 2025, Ghoniem's studio remains extraordinarily productive. Upcoming projects span Australia and international locations, including a product launch, a Brisbane hotel, artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran's apartment, and international projects in Dubai, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
Handelsmann + Khaw: Confidence in Design Identity
Tania Handelsmann and Gillian Khaw believe in design's capacity to nourish the soul, noting that "an interior with colour and playfulness can lift the spirits, but on a deeper level, surrounding oneself with beauty does do something for the soul."
The duo has reached a point of creative confidence, describing 2024 as a period of "being comfortable in our own 'design' skin. There's something liberating about not needing to prove oneself." This assurance allows them to venture into new territory, with upcoming projects including their first product design—a lighting range with Dunlin—and a retail fit-out.
Rising Stars Making Their Mark
Phoebe Nicol Interior Architecture: Understated Chic
Phoebe Nicol has established a singular aesthetic that balances meticulous detail with understated elegance. Her philosophy centers on creating "spaces that inspire and bring joy" and "add positivity to daily life and remind people of the beauty around them."
After expanding her business and relocating to a new Woollahra office in 2024, Nicol is working on the mid-century Helsham House (featured in the current issue of Vogue Living) and beginning work on a Southern Highlands farmhouse project.
Decus: Elevated Residential Design
Under the leadership of managing director Alexandra Donohoe Church, Decus continues to create residential spaces known for their elevated scale and distinctive atmospheres. Donohoe Church views design as an opportunity to pause and reconnect, considering beauty a "powerful antidote" to negativity.
Her 2024 highlights included new commissions, collaborations with long-time clients, a French sourcing trip, and a serendipitous encounter with design hero Pierre Yovanovitch at PAD London. Upcoming projects span from North Bondi to Cottesloe and Sydney's east, alongside the restoration of a new Decus studio—a passion project for the team.
Collaborative Studios Defining Australian Aesthetics
K.P.D.O.: Synthesis of Elements
Kerry Phelan and Stephen Javens of K.P.D.O. approach each project seeking "the best possible solution" through a synthesis of light, space, logical planning, and beautiful materials. They view the current era as "an incredibly liberating time to be part of the wider design community."
One of their 2024 highlights involved preserving "the soul of a 1930s English Revival home set in an Edna Walling garden"—a challenge that speaks to their sensitivity toward architectural heritage. Their upcoming reveal of the Mobilia Sydney showroom's Special Exhibitions Space continues their thoughtful approach to curated environments.
Arent&Pyke: Colour Masters
Creative directors and co-founders Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke continue to inspire with their masterful use of colour, which they believe "opens minds to different ways of viewing and appreciating our diverse world."
Their studio growth in 2024 focused on team expansion and reinforcing core values, creating a sense of unity and readiness for future challenges. Upcoming projects include a home in Sydney's eastern suburbs in collaboration with architect Polly Harbison, as well as retail venues that build on the success of their KODA Cutters salon—representing their strategic expansion beyond residential design.
Richards Stanisich: People-First Design Philosophy
Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich have built their practice on strong relationships and community values, emphasising that "these are our people" when discussing the Australian design industry. Their people-first approach proved invaluable during 2024's challenges, with the duo noting: "Our team stepped up and were outstanding."
The studio achieved a significant milestone with its first international commission—a "prestigious, multi-level residential project in central London" that involved relocating team members abroad, further demonstrating Australian design's global appeal.
The Future of Australian Design
The VL50 2025 list highlights the remarkable diversity and global influence of Australia's design community. With established studios expanding internationally and emerging talents bringing fresh perspectives, the industry is characterised by confidence, innovation, and an increasingly distinct Australian design language.
What sets apart this generation of Australian designers is their willingness to transcend traditional boundaries - geographic, disciplinary, and conceptual. They are creating spaces that not only function beautifully but also foster wellbeing, connect communities, and tell compelling stories.
As these designers continue to evolve and expand their influence, Australian design is positioned to make an even greater impact on global design conversations, reinforcing its reputation for excellence, innovation, and a unique perspective that combines international sophistication with distinctly Australian sensibilities.
With the world watching, Nook Collections is proud to support and celebrate the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Australian designers by providing thoughtfully curated designer lighting that complements and enhances their visionary spaces.
