For many Australian design businesses, the story begins long before the first showroom opens or a product reaches the market. It begins in family workshops, factory floors and the relationships that shape how things are made. These were some of the threads running through Reflections on Design, a conversation hosted by Reece during Saturday Indesign at its recently opened Rosebery showroom.
Moderated by design editor Virginia Jen, the discussion brought together Vanessa Katsanevakis, Director of Sussex; Bobby Gordon, Director and General Manager of Robert Gordon; Fleur Sibbel, Managing Director and Co-founder of Zuster; and Tara Solberg, Founder and Creative Director of Few & Far.
Each has taken a different path through the design industry, although family, entrepreneurial spirit and an appreciation for making emerged as common ground.
For Bobby Gordon, growing up around the family pottery business offered an early education in both craftsmanship and commerce. “I grew up in the pottery next door,” he recalled. “We grew up working in markets, so understanding how to sell a product to people, what that involves – honesty and integrity – and that’s what has been drummed into us at an early age and that’s what we really hang our hat on.”
Vanessa Katsanevakis shared similar memories of growing up around Sussex. “I grew up rollerblading in the factory carpark, vacuuming the factory floors on a Saturday for my little $150 per week,” she said. “Learning through my father and the way he set up the business with integrity is at the base of everything that we do.”
For Fleur Sibbel, whose upbringing was shaped by a family building business crafting mid-century homes, the experience also informed her confidence as a woman in the industry. “I’ve always been treated like an equal, so there was so much inspiration that I took from growing up,” she explained.
Tara Solberg’s path was somewhat different. Beginning in graphic design for a surf brand, she travelled internationally on sourcing trips with her husband Danny, developing an interest in furniture, interiors and retail. Those experiences eventually led the couple to establish Few & Far, initially importing a container of furniture.
The conversation also explored the particular dynamics of working with family. Gordon spoke about the complementary skills he and his sister Hannah bring to Robert Gordon, while Katsanevakis described the balance between her creative role and the operational expertise of her husband and CEO, George.
For Sibbel, running a business means knowing when to adapt. “It’s very flexible when you have your own business knowing what your skills are and where you think you can make a difference,” she said.
There was also room to reflect on the less predictable aspects of business ownership. Sibbel spoke about accepting decisions made with the information available at the time, while Solberg recalled how a business originally intended to support a relaxed lifestyle quickly became something far more consuming.
Relationships between designers, manufacturers and suppliers were another important part of the discussion. Katsanevakis pointed to Sussex’s longstanding association with Reece as a formative part of the company’s development, illustrating how partnerships can help sustain Australian design businesses over time.
Looking ahead, the speakers considered the growing influence of digital platforms and artificial intelligence, alongside the continuing importance of physical experiences and craftsmanship.
“Craftsmanship is really what our brand has been built on, so I place a lot of emphasis on that,” Solberg said. “I always believe that the in-store experience is always going to win in the end.”
That emphasis on making extended beyond the panel discussion. Visitors were invited to explore the processes behind the products through workshops demonstrating the internal workings of a Sussex tap, the design of a Zuster handle and the application of a custom sand glaze to a Robert Gordon Potters basin.
For Reece, returning to Saturday Indesign provided an opportunity to bring these conversations and demonstrations together in its new Rosebery showroom. Beyond the products themselves, Reflections on Design offered a glimpse into the personal histories, working relationships and practical decisions behind some of Australia’s established design names.
