There are few furniture brands in Australia that are able to stake claim to a long a fruitful existence. With globalisation, “the internet” and social media increasing the appeal and accessibility of a considered approach to interior design – and decreasing the expense of it – it can be tricky to compete in an international market. Add to that an unwavering commitment to design and manufacture on Australian shores, and the path to long-lasting success becomes steeper still.
And yet, here and there people manage it. People with immense skill, unfaltering moral standards, and dogged determination.
A quarter of century since foundation, Susan and Gordon Tait recently celebrated this momentous milestone in Tait’s history in the new flagship Melbourne showroom. NGV’s Senior Curator (Dept. of Contemporary Design and Architecture), Ewan McEoin welcomed a crowd full of notable members of the design industry, key company partners, a bevy of Australian designers, employees, close friends and family.
Mark Simpson and Damien Mulvihill of DesignOffice then spoke to the design concept of the new flagship showroom before Tait Director and Co-Founder, Gordon Tait, closed out the evening by paying tribute to an incredible 25 years in the industry.
Here’s to 25 more.
Photography by Gareth Sobay