Fumie Shibata on furniture as 'expanding landscape of daily life'
Fumie Shibata, the Japanese designer and founder of Design Studio S, shares insights on her international collaboration with the Italian company Flexform. Originating from a family of weavers in Fujiyoshida, Shibata studied at Musashino Art University in Tokyo and initially specialized in medical equipment design. Her collaboration with Flexform, established by the Galimberti brothers in Brianza in 1959 and now in its third generation, led to the creation of the Eri armchair (debuting in 2024 and currently in production) and a mirror named Soreto (2025). Shibata views furniture as 'an expanding landscape of daily life,' drawing inspiration from a soft collar for Eri and envisioning Soreto as an architectural line. She emphasizes the connection between industrial production and traditional monozukuri craftsmanship, asserting that objects should resonate with users. An award-winning designer, Shibata also teaches at a university and oversees a team of six in her studio.
Key facts
- Fumie Shibata is the head of Design Studio S with a 24-year career.
- She comes from a family of weavers in Fujiyoshida, a textile town.
- She studied design at Musashino Art University in Tokyo.
- Her first design interest was in medical equipment.
- Flexform is an Italian manufacturer founded by the Galimberti brothers in Brianza in 1959.
- Flexform is now in its third generation.
- The Eri armchair was first unveiled in 2024 and is now in production.
- The Soreto mirror was introduced in 2025.
- Shibata sees furniture as an 'expanding landscape of daily life.'
- She bridges industrial production and monozukuri craftsmanship.
- Shibata has won multiple awards and teaches as a university professor.
- Her studio has a team of six people.
Entities
Artists
- Fumie Shibata
Institutions
- Design Studio S
- Flexform
- Musashino Art University
Locations
- Fujiyoshida
- Tokyo
- Brianza
Sources
- Monocle —