A relative newcomer to the London design scene, New York furniture and lighting brand Apparatus opened its first UK outpost, in Mayfair, in spring 2023. Since its inception in 2012, the brand has become renowned for its all-encompassing approach to design, led by co-founder and creative director Gabriel Hendifar. The detailed narratives that Hendifar weaves inform every detail, from the tactile materials he selects to the immersive launch events he hosts – the brand’s ‘Operatic’ collection debuted in a historic theatre in New York, while another was based on pre-revolutionary nightclubs in Tehran.
In light of this, it’s perhaps no surprise to learn that Hendifar began his career in costume and scenic design after studying at UCLA, and cut his teeth working in fashion. In 2012, after he was unable to find suitable lighting fixtures for his own home, he created Apparatus alongside Jeremy Anderson, and grew it into a global design brand. One year since opening its London gallery, Hendifar reflects on his journey so far, shares his impressions of London, and reveals his plans for the future.
