Creature Comforts

MANILA, Philippines - Lilianna Manahan moves like a free spirit. She imagines a world built on whimsy, fashioning products that anchor to reality. With her current collection of cast brass creatures and resin home accents, Lilianna invites you to a reality of her own making: “Quirky, whimsical and eclectic,” in her own words, describing the aesthetic. 

Lilianna Manahan graduated with a degree in industrial design from the University of the Philippines. She spent a year in Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and underwent mentorships with Italian architect Fabio Novembre and Kenneth Cobonpue. On design that is both decorative and functional, where she is and where she wants to go, the young product designer sits down with YStyle and talks shop.

YSTYLE: Hello, Lilianna! Talking to you feels a bit like “dropping in” on your career, in medias res. Can you give us an update on where you are in terms of work and what’s going on in your studio?

LILIANNA MANAHAN: I am in the middle of working on improving the items that I have and, hopefully, working on a new collection for 2015.

Can you tell us about your current collection? What materials and techniques did you use?

My most recent collection is a series of tabletop creatures made of cast brass and resin. They’re both decorative and functional. Right now, I have them available in Cura V, Univers and Pinto Gallery.

If I had to pick a favorite — but I like all my creatures — I’d say Groink, just because of the cute name.

Coming from everything you’ve learned from CITEM’s Red Box (and also, from Kenneth Cobonpue and Hive), can you walk us briefly through your design process?  

I’m always finding a better way to improve my groove. The design process always changes and adjusts, and I know it takes time. The process of improving my process is the fun part.

What inspires your design?

I like looking at a lot of different things, and I like reading a lot. But then, I’m not really sure. Most of the time, things just come together and form into something.

What’s next for Lilianna Manahan? Are you looking to develop your line for more international shows (like Maison&Objet Asia in 2014) or focusing on the local market?  

Right now, I’d like to focus more on improving my existing items and making them evolve. I’d like to concentrate on making more collections of my own, I want to see what happens and where I can take it from there.

What kind of trajectory would you like your pieces to take? Is it more bespoke, or more mass market?

I enjoy the detail I put in my work, so I’m gearing towards more accent pieces. Bespoke and limited collections (are) where I can really spend more time with each piece that I make. I’d like to say custom, but I’m always geared towards my design language.

ON SELF

Personal style? Laid back.

Who taught you how to dress?

I’d have to say my mom and my sister.  

Follow fashion trends?

None at all. If I like something, I’ll probably go out and buy if it I can.

Fave vacation destination? Baler.

Mode of relaxation? Sleeping and eating.

If you could be stocked anywhere in the world? The Nilufar gallery in Milan or Bergdorf Goodman.

Magazine of choice? Wallpaper.

Necessary extravagance? Shoes. I’ve injured my feet, so I need good shoes.

ON BEAUTY

How much attention do you give to beauty?

Not a lot, but I do. Just enough.

Walk us through your daily beauty routine.

I wash and cleanse my face, moisturize, put on sunblock, concealer, blush then mascara.

What’s your “can’t live without” product?

Moisturizer. Definitely.

For your hair? Serum by Awapuhi.

Scent? Nenuco.

ON INTERIORS

What is your favorite space at home?

My bathroom. It’s the quietest place in the house.

In your opinion, what is the most underrated piece of furniture? Something that most people didn’t know they needed?

I’d have to say, a place for guests to put their bags. For when people visit, guests just end up putting their bags in random places. Or on an unused chair.

Describe your personal aesthetic when it comes to interiors.

I put together elements that I like, and I find a way to make them all work out. But I always prefer a clean-looking base (walls), not too feminine and, always, with a metal accent somewhere.

If you had to recommend a single piece of furniture to start decorating a bare-bones bedroom or living area, what would it be?

The style would always depend on the person, but for a blank living area, I’d start with the couch because that’s where everyone centers around. A place to hang out. If it were up to me, the couch should be very simple, straightforward, and very comfortable.  

Whose body of work would you like most to emulate? Your design idol, so to speak.

I look up to a few people. But I’ve always admired the work of Marcel Wanders. His work was what got me interested in product design. Photos by CHOLO DELA VEGA

Makeup by INA DE GUZMAN