Cult launches NAU - a New Australian Design Brand

This morning I attended a special media breakfast at Cult to celebrate the launch of the new Australian design brand, NAU. Marking 20 years as the leading purveyor of international design in Australia, the exciting launch sees Cult expand into the production, manufacture and retail of Australian design with a contemporary brand that offers furniture, lighting and accessories by a collective of Australia’s most curious, talented and spirited designers.

Fat Tulip Collection by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Aran Bed & Nest Table by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Hosted by Richard Munao, Founder and Managing Director of Cult, the launch not only gave an overview of the designers and their incredible range of products, but also insight into the brand and how it came about. 

Now is the time for a new Australian design movement. New by necessity, Australia’s design culture stems from a place of isolation; our influences are unique from the rest of the world, and we have no design ancestry with which to adhere. We are free to immerse ourselves amongst our extreme natural landscapes and unique materials, and as a result have carved out a resourceful, hands-on and open-minded design culture. NAU is the embodiment of this fresh thinking, broad-spectrum approach, offering contemporary furniture, lighting and accessories brand by a collective of Australia’s most spirited designers including Adam Cornish, Adam Goodrum, Gavin Harris and Jack Flanagan. Producing designs suitable for residential and commercial spaces, from elegant lounge furniture to modular shelving with endless possibility, the NAU collection is reductive in form, honest in materiality and timeless in style.

Aran Armchair by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Aran Sofa by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Loom Armchair by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Driven by the ambition to bring premium European design to Australia, Richard Munao established Cult in 1997 with a humble showroom in the backstreets of Chippendale. Since then, Cult has grown into the leading purveyor of the best international design in Australia and New Zealand, with a portfolio of over 35 brands across furniture, lighting and accessories. Over two decades, Cult has evolved from showroom destination to full-service design house; diversifying into the production, manufacture and retail of Australian design. In 2014 Cult launched its first exclusive collection of Australian furniture; the AG x Cult capsule by acclaimed designer Adam Goodrum. Since then, Cult’s product development has grown significantly and it’s time to establish these designs as one brand, and promote Australian creativity to the world. From this, NAU is born.

Bigola Armchair & Table by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Bell Pendant, Malloy Dining Table & Malloy Chair by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Frame modular shelving system by Adam Cornish for NAU

Kubrick Stools by Jack Flanagan for NAU

"After more than 20 years in the design industry in Australia, I have grown an unwavering passion for the production and manufacture of Australian furniture. I truly believe we are at the cusp of a new Australian design movement, and I am incredibly proud to introduce NAU to the market and promote Australian creativity to the world.”- Richard Munao, Owner & Managing Director of Cult and Founder of NAU

Malloy Chair by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Nest Tables by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Plum Easy Chair & Footstool by Adam Goodrum for NAU

NAU launches internationally at ICFF in New York (21-24 May) and locally at DENFAIR in Melbourne (8-10 June). The NAU stands at both fairs are designed by award-winning Australian design firm Design Office and take inspiration from the Australian landscape and palette, including imagery from Brooke Holm. After learning about the beautiful range, from which I've shared some favourites in today's post, I can't wait to see the exhibition at DENFAIR next month.  

Rev Stools by Adam Cornish for NAU

Strand Collection by Adam Cornish for NAU

Takushi Table by Gavin Harris & Malloy Chair by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Photos 1-5 & 10-12: Styling by Marsha Golemac / Photography by Brooke Holm
Photos 6-9, & 13-15: Styling by Marsha Golemac / Photography by Dan Hocking 

The full NAU collection will be available exclusively from all Cult showrooms in Australia and New Zealand from June 2017. 

Images courtesy of Cult