Lani Adeoye: Heritage by Design

Lani Adeoye is an award-winning designer and the founder of Studio-Lani, a design brand spanning sculpture, lighting, furniture, fashion and assistance devices. While her practice is multifaceted, it is consistently rooted in the ethos of connection, drawing individuals in on a deeper level, nurturing and celebrating shared human values. Her creative process seamlessly blends the rhythmic warmth of her Nigerian heritage and echoes of time-honored craftsmanship with a futuristic approach. This results in timeless objects that harmonize with a universal melody while remaining deeply attuned to a sense of place.

 Lani's hybrid mindset and experimental approach allow her to embrace unexpected ideas and explore different avenues to enhance the value of her designs. This creative junction is her joy zone, crafting new futures and memorable designs known to exude an enigmatic elegance. At their heart, her creations celebrate the profound impact of the human touch, in sculpting intangible values into designs that resonate both physically and emotionally.

 Her unique creations have earned placements in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the Vitra Design Museum, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and Die Neue Sammlung. Notable accolades include winning the first prize in Milan's 2022 'SaloneSatellite: Designing for our future selves' award for her creation, RemX—an asymmetric walker hailed by the jury for merging "elegance and dignity in a useful object for all." Additionally, she was honored by Elle Décor in its 'Women of the World: 75 Global Female Designers Worth Celebrating' issue in 2020 and has been featured in prominent publications such as Designed For Life, Woman Made, and Phaidon's '1000 Design Classics.'

Lani's journey encompasses a diverse range of experiences. She grew up as an artistic child, participating in art competitions in Lagos, Nigeria. But she went on to complete her Bachelor of Commerce at McGill University in Montreal and subsequently worked as a consulting analyst at Accenture in Toronto. Then, taking a big leap of faith, she transitioned back to her creative roots and graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York, where she also shares her knowledge as an adjunct professor. This rich tapestry of interests and skills equips her with a versatile toolkit to tackle design challenges, blending analytical rigor with an innate sensitivity to form and material.

 Through Studio-Lani, she delights in collaborating with clients across various industries, offering bespoke commissions, exclusive partnerships, and customized variations of her studio collection. With a perennial curiosity and a dedication to fostering cross cultural synergy, Lani continues to push boundaries, using design as a tool to ignite meaningful human connections, cultural celebration and dignity for all.