The other day in the office we were talking about a trend we’ve been noticing: geometric pendant lamps with bright, color-blocked designs, reminiscent of 1960s and ’70s styles and made of wire or wood frames wrapped tightly with string. We couldn’t help but remark on the similarities of their makers as well: four young European women designers, many of whom also happen to be photographers. What are the chances? Here’s a look.
Ana Kras
![serbian born, new york–based designer (and model and photographer) ana k 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ana-kras-bonbon-lights-733x1116.png)
![a tower of earth toned bonbon lamps. \2\20;each bonbon is handmade 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ana-kras-bonbon-lights-3-733x1105.png)
![kras\2\17;s lights are available on request; prices start at \$\1,800. c 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ana-kras-bonbon-lights-couch-733x1097.png)
(For a look at Kras’s furniture designs, see 8 Side Tables in Confident Colors.)
![kras at work on one of her hand strung lamps, which were featured at the nyc ma 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ana-kras-with-light-jody-rogac.jpg)
Wera Jane
![another set of designs comes from wera jane: lamp no. \1\2: leila com 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/wera-jane-no-12-leila-733x1100.jpg)
“A few months ago, I did a break from my studies to start my own project with designing lampshades,” designer (and model and photographer) Jane of Wera Jane wrote to us. “These objects are influenced by the old UFO-form lampshades from the 1970s. From the beginning of welding till the process of weaving the yarn around, everything is handmade and makes each lamp one of a kind.”
![the lamps are made of italian thread and woven in jane\2\17;s studi 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/wera-jane-no-4-suki-733x488.jpg)
![the bold no 9.: lexar; €360 (\$384). 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/wera-jane-no-9-lexar-733x781.jpg)
Julie Lansom
![in paris, designer and photographer julie lansom weaves ethereal 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Julie-Lansom-Lighting-Designer-Amandine-Paulandre-Remodelista-6-733x1105.jpg)
“As a child I was totally crazy about Spirograph,” says Lansom. “If I added up all the hours I spent drawing with a Spirograph, it must have amounted to at least a year of my life.” Now her Sputnik lamps combine groovy Spirograph-like patterns with 1960s-style woven pendant lamps. (Read more at Sputnik Sweetheart: A French Designer’s Handwoven Lights.)
![lansom makes her sputnik lamps by hand in her paris studio, wrapping cotton thr 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Julie-Lansom-Lighting-Designer-Amandine-Paulandre-Remodelista-11-733x489.jpg)
![lansom at work. contact her directly for more information or to order. pho 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Julie-Lansom-Lighting-Designer-Amandine-Paulandre-Remodelista-4-733x1100.jpg)
Elsa Rande
![hardwired: though similar in style, paris based designer elsa randé 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/elsa-rande-shining-lamp-blue-black-733x479.jpg)
![the shining lamps are available in monochrome or color blocked designs; € 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/elsa-rande-shining-lamp-mantel-733x479.jpg)
N.B. They’re made in Australia, but we also like the looks of the handwoven, natural-fiber Dreamweaver lamps by the husband-and-wife team behind Melbourne shop Pop & Scott.
Can’t get enough of hand-crafted lamps and lights? We have a few more ideas:
- Reborn in the USA: Soviet Industrial Lights from Fixt Electric
- Wo & We: Industrial-Chic Lighting from Villeurbanne, France
- Luminaire Authentik: An Upstart Lighting Company in Quebec
Frequently asked questions
What is the String Theory lighting collection?
The String Theory lighting collection is a series of retro lamps designed by European designers and available on Remodelista.
What kind of lamps are included in the collection?
The String Theory lighting collection includes pendant lamps, table lamps, and floor lamps.
Who are the European designers behind the String Theory lighting collection?
The European designers behind the String Theory lighting collection are Michael Anastassiades, Flos, and Gubi.
What is the style of the String Theory lighting collection?
The String Theory lighting collection features a bright and retro style that is both playful and elegant.
Are the lamps in the String Theory lighting collection available in different colors?
Yes, the lamps in the String Theory lighting collection are available in several colors to match your decor.
Where can I buy the lamps in the String Theory lighting collection?
You can buy the lamps in the String Theory lighting collection on Remodelista's website.
Do the lamps in the String Theory lighting collection come with a warranty?
The warranty for the lamps in the String Theory lighting collection varies by designer and product. Please check with Remodelista for specific details.
What is the price range of the lamps in the String Theory lighting collection?
The price range of the lamps in the String Theory lighting collection varies by designer and product. Please check with Remodelista for specific details.
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