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Anne-Maree Sargeant / aka AMS - is an independent curator, writer & design consultant based in Sydney, Australia. As contributing editor to Monocle, Surface Asia/USA, she has been editor-at-large of Belle Magazine. AMS founded THE SNAP ASSEMBLY blog & helms the 2016 relaunch of THE AUTHENTIC DESIGN ALLIANCE - an education platform aiming to make fake designer furniture illegal in Australia.

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READ // Fast furniture is hurting the planet - so think big next time that ‘bargain’ is bundled in to the back of the car!! And consider I t’s time to end fast design! + With the Ikea catalogue surpassing The Bible as the most printed book in the world (?!!!) with 200 million+ copies annually - it’s astounding to learn IKEA use 1% OF THE WORLD’S TIMBER - that’s 1%!! + Being mainly cheap particle board - not recyclable - made from wood chips x glue - the lion-share of this resource feeds landfill. It’s not just @ikea - with @colessupermarkets Introducing a $10-35 homeware collection to improve the #retailexperience 😞joining @targetaus @kmartaus & other chains knocking off trends fuelling what we call #disposabledecorating - it’s time to #chosewellbuyless & invest in furnishings we keep for life! + Vote with your wallets people!! Furnishings are an investment - not a trend. We need to be responsible. + If we embrace ethical food supply & avoid palm oil or unsustainable fishing - is it time to address #fastdesign #fastfurniture? + If we’re horrified about the ethical, environmental & human impact of fast fashion - should we apply that thinking to furnishings? + How often do we see a dumpster full of cheap furniture? Businesses saving a buck to buy cheap crap or #replicafurniture only to replace it again. And again. + Or homes seeking a ‘decorator look’ / #knockoffs vs investing in pieces that are made to endure, pieces with character, meaning & things we care about. + Take a stance - help educate yr friends & family. Be informed. Inform others. + #replicaisfake #stopdesigntheft #getrealybuyrealsupplyreal #supportoriginaldesign #authenticdesign #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory + 🙏thank you @livingedge For sending this. Living Edge are a founding ADA Member & continue to support us as Platinum Members + If yr keen to support our campaigns for change pls become an ADA Member 🔗link in Bio ☝️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B1fArbDFAzU/?igshid=9kh4sj9yy5dj

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Following a spate of photographers successfully defending copyright infringement for unlicensed use of their work - street artist follow suit! + Influencers & social media stars are under-fire if using street art as backdrop for sponsored or even unsponsored posts - currently a swag of cases are being settled out of court, with experts predicting a spike in street artists rightfully defending commercial representation of their work legally. + "One of the factors courts consider is whether the use is commercial. But that analysis can be tricky in the age of influencers. "Most of the content posted by social media personalities is inherently commercial," says (a lawyer in the article). "Their posts are all heavily curated and strategically trying to build their persona and their business.” + Tagging the artist isn’t deemed sufficient. + 👉🔗 @hollywoodreporter article on our FB / Linked in👈 + 🤔SO WHAT ABOUT FURNITURE & LIGHTING DESIGNS? + Given that Australian copyright law does NOT protect these works automatically - it seems pretty unfair that other creative disciplines are treated differently to the furnishing sector - right?🤭 + More on that soon - if you’re keen to support our new campaigns by becoming an ADA Member - get in touch or link in bio!☝️ + #copyright #intellectualproperty #replicaisfake #stopdesigntheft #supportoriginaldesign #authenticdesign #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory + Illustration @zoharlazar ✔️ Post via @surfacemag ✔️ Cc @auscopyrightcouncil ✔️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B066Tl-lrKb/?igshid=kac63hs1hqk3

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🤔Serious Q - Suggestions please! + We’ve seen a spike in instances where retailers simply don’t know that some of the products they’re selling are copies of #originaldesign + Too quickly design fans & industry jump to the automatic conclusion that certain retailers / e-tailers are playing dumb - but it’s not always the case we’re finding + #replicafurniture #replicalighting resellers fall into three categories 👉 don’t know / don’t care 👉 do know / don’t care 👉 don’t know / do care .... or might care of made aware + It’s the segment that care or might care we’re curious about how to educate / advise / help steer away from products they honestly do not know are #knockoffs of an original product + Two instances in the past fortnight -the retail network, once aware, has agreed to quit selling specific copies - a smaller percentage of the whole, agreed, but a significant start when considering large chains w massive online reach ✔️ + Whilst these retailers are not legally bound to do so under current design IP laws - it signals a market segment we want to reach + So how can the ADA help manage this? Suggestions welcome pls! + Our hands a full ATM w a range of things including about to announce 2 new in-house staffing roles + Are you keen to support us? ADA Members directly enable our education & advocacy - if your business or brand is committed to helping us build awareness about the irreversible damage to our industry caused by #designtheft 👉consider joining the ADA 👉🔗link in Bio ☝️ + #replicaisrake #stopdesigntheft #getrealbuyrealsupplyreal #intellectualproperty #supportoriginaldesign #supportauthenticdesign #authenticdesign #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory https://www.instagram.com/p/B0j_dRBFeeC/?igshid=1cs81dpu4o91e

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The Australian lighting industry is savaged by replicas, copies & the endemic problem of substitution (more on the latter below!) + @ismobjects discovered a design from their collection by @chrisconnelldesign is currently advertised by a major discount homeward chain 👉swipe for copy🙄 + KAPELO was design registered prior to launching in 2008 - IP protection that expired early last year - leaving the design to be legally copied! + Result? ISM are now forced to discontinue the collection “its an awful way to be forced to retire products” Celina Clarke ISM co-founder stating they refuse to make the product offshore to match the chainstore price “it wouldn’t represent our ethos of producing quality products” + So lax IP laws force early retirement of commercially viable products - locally made products that have a broader impact beyond the designer & the commissioning brand - impact that extends to loss of business for a vast network of suppliers & fabricators + Substitution - more on that later - the vast quantity of products swapped out across the building industry at an alarmingly increased rate ....... continues to garner unfavourable headlines as development projects fall u der the watch dog microscope.... + #lighting #lightingdesign #replicalighting #replicafurniture #industrialdesign #replicaisfake #stopdesigntheft #getrealbuyrealsupplyreal #australiandesign #supportoriginaldesign #supportaustraliandesign #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory https://www.instagram.com/p/B0e4FpWl52N/?igshid=1e6itrt98jem0

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SUNDAY BARGAIN HUNTS // @zanotta_spa #Sciangi (1973) - $450 neg on Gumtree - a cult classic that nabbed the 1979 Compasso D’oro - the design industry equivalent of an Oscar 🏆 + “Objects must enter into a relationship with the user, and must be easy to use,” explains Paolo Lomazzi in an interview for RAI television. “Everyday objects, domestic objects and objects that we are attached to.” + Inspiration for Sciangai was the Chinese game where wooden sticks are held in the hand and then dropped onto a table. + The opening/closing mechanism is realized with a steel grommet - simple, functional, clever! + Zanotta - a heritage Italian design vanguard distributed here @cultdesignau + 👉Anyone keen? + #zanotta #italiandesign #designicon #designporn #replicaisfake #stopdesigntheft #getrealbuyrealsupplyreal #supportoriginaldesign #buylesschoosewell #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ctpXjFd_U/?igshid=1lwx1jw12gzfn

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Great post by @archdigestpro - delving into Clients requesting #replicafurniture & #knockoffs / #counterfeitdesign + 👉link on our FB + Considering the circular economy we’re faced with the urgent need to buy once & make things last - buy to keep (aka invest) in products we love, products made with care that will last decades, or source via the secondary market like auctions or vintage resellers! + Investing in a sofa or chairs that will endure, age gracefully & that can be repaired / restores (per my own 27 year old @cassinaofficial sofa designed by #vicomagistretti - ageing as gracefully as a same era Mercedes Benz!!) + The article flags the importance of educating clients by distilling the fabrication process of products vs simply flashing brand names. Imparting knowledge about the longevity of each piece, cultural relevance & creating an emotional connection with specified furnishings + Whilst the article addresses the residential market - these same clients are business owners - many of who may apply new found knowledge to their commercial endeavours..... + It only takes 15% of change in consumer behaviour to affect more widespread change (so we’ve learned) - so for everyone advocating, creating, making, distributing & selling #authenticproducts - consider diving further than brand & designer names & talk about HOW things are made, WHY products exist, their environmental / cultural impact & strive for EMOTIONAL connection + Thanks #architecturaldigest for continuing an important discussion! + Links to their hand articles ☝️in our Bio or on our FB ✔️ + #replicaisfake #stopdesigntheft #getrealbuyrealsupplyreal #furniture #lighting #architecture #interiordesign #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory + Illustration 🙌 @georgewylesol https://www.instagram.com/p/B0U65LhlYRZ/?igshid=1n6o6ct4z7cd2

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In support of the current #IPAustralia review into design systems - we coordinated recent UTS industrial design graduate MITCH TOBIN met with the team from Canberra + MITCH’s dissection PROJECT REPLICA features at our HOME.GROWN. 3 day event I March @sydneydesignfestival + The project focussed on collecting discarded #replicafurniture & creating hybrids by connecting iconic designs that informed each other eg Vernor Panton single piece injection moulded chair informed Jasper Morrison AIR - the latter innovating technology made possible by the former + “ we spoke in depth about no incentive to stay in Australia as a young furniture designer, and explained design process and the trouble caused by social media & design leaks before design registration.” + Noting the LACK OF A GRACE PERIOD - inhibits Australians across the board + “They seemed quite surprised that it can take years to develop a product & of the fear of showing new products to anyone before its registered.” + DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE REVIEW? EMAIL US OR CALL! + @mitchtobin #replicaisfake #stopdesigntheft #getrealbuyrealsupplyreal #intellectualproperty #industrialsdesign #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory + Illustration from animation by Mitch Tobin - stay tuned as we’ll release it shortly ✔️ + Thanks @cultdesignau for again hosting the meeting 🙌 & @adamgoodrumstudio for the introduction 🙌 https://www.instagram.com/p/B0SMU6vlECC/?igshid=bwz9jz8kijtr

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🙌Big ups to ADA Silver Members @so_watt_studio for being the only Australian brand shortlisted in their category for the @dezeen Awards 🙌 + ROVER - a clever demountable table system created to meet the ever-changing needs of the modern workplace - incorporates concealed cable trays & features eco friendly, hard wearing, scratch resistant surfaces 👌 + Launched at our 3-day HOME.GROWN event in March @sydneydesignfestival - an event So Watt supported us as a strategic production partner - deftly facilitating our exhibition installations 🥊 + ⭐️For info on how to help support our campaigns for change - discover ADA Membership benefits & join our plight to #stopdesigntheft + 🔗in Bio ☝️or 👇on our FB ✔️ + #sowattstudio #australiandesign #furniture #furnituredesign #industrialdesign #australianmade #supportoriginaldesign #supportaustraliandesign #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory https://www.instagram.com/p/B0SJR0zl4pv/?igshid=1gzkfbt4tk9tu

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🌟in the countdown to DENFAIR - we’re excited to be supported by EASEL PROJECT 🌟 Created by Adam Cornish & Marcus Piper, the debut collection by 8 creatives explores originality & authenticity via experimentation! + Each work is translated into physical objects by using different materials & process, the project created in collaboration with AXOLOTL - read more about how this fantastic project evolved 🔗in Bio ☝️ + The objects are produced in an edition of 8 with a portion of each sale being generously donated to the AUTHENTIC DESIGN ALLIANCE 🙏 + EASEL COLLECTION ONE // ARTISTS @_easelproject Adam Cornish Adam Goodrum Belynda Henry Ham Darroch Jaime Hayon Louise Olsen Marcus Piper Rachel Derum + Launching @denfair - Melbourne June 20-22, 2019 REGISTER FOR DENFAIR 🔗in Bio ☝️ + EASEL SUPPORTING PARTNERS @axolotlgroup @denfair @forest_furniture @tim_robinson_photography + @adamcornishdesign @adamgoodrumstudio @belynda__henry @hamdarroch @jaimehayon @hayonstudio @louise_olsen @marcus_piper_studio @rachel_derum + #easelproject #denfair2019 #supportyoriginaldesign #supportaustraliandesign #replicaisfake #stopdesigntheft #getrealbuyrrealsupplyreal #authenticdesign #authenticdesignalliance #thedesigndirectory #adamcornish #adamgoodrum #jaimejhayon #louiseolsen #art #design #designinnovation https://www.instagram.com/p/BxG3cUxlO0w/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=133s8b2p4as5b

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Creating event content, curating exhibitions, and producing speaker series - Anne-Maree Sargeant (AMS) is now helming the 2016 re-launch of the AUTHENTIC DESIGN ALLIANCE > an education platform aiming to make fake designer furniture illegal in Australia.

2015 project highlights include :

ID. x SNAP at DEN Fair - AMS debuted ID. x SNAP - an independent designer installation curated & produced by SNAP, featuring 20 Australian furniture & lighting designer brands. The installation was awarded special commendation as an show feature, Melbourne May 2015.

UNSW School of Art & Design - AMS joined the Final Year assessment panel, University of NSW Faculty of Design, Sydney June 2015.

VIVID SYDNEY - AMS created & produced design talks at Museum Contemporary Art, MCA Sydney, moderated by AMS for VIVID IDEAS, June 2015.

DECOR + DESIGN - moderated / produced design talks on REPLICA DESIGN and EXPORTING AUSTRALIAN DESIGN, in Melbourne July 2015.

OBJECT GALLERY // AUSTRALIAN DESIGN CENTRE - September 8th  - AMS moderated GOLD SERIES TALKS celebrating iconic women in design.

DUBAI DESIGN WEEK // MELBOURNE LIGHTS UP! -  AMS curated / produced Melbourne International Design Week for DDW October 27-30, 2015. Featuring three Melbourne lighting design brands on the rise - Christopher Boots, Andre Hnatojko and Jonathan Ben-Tovim.

With her creative agency - AMS and THE SNAP COLLECTIVE connect creative and creative brands to business opportunities.

THE SNAP ASSEMBLY.com // blog

THE SNAP COLLECTIVE.com // agency

LinkIN with AMS // Follow on INSTA

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BELLE Magazine - Salone del Mobile / Euroluce report #design #euroluce #lighting by @NealeWhitaker & @AMS_info

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BELLE Magazine (Aug/Sept) by AMS #art #design #architecture @isalone #salonedelmobile blogged @AMS-info.

Featuring Australian furniture, lighting & product designers - Ed Linacre, Chris Hardy, Adam Cornish, Adam Goodrum, Brodie Neill (who's brand MADE IN RATIO ranked in Wallpaper* magazine's top 10 new brands at Salone) - & Nic Graham for Stellar Works - the chair designed for QT Hotel Sydney & debuted at TOM DIXON 'MOST" during Milan.

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FLOS lighting at Euroluce during Salone del Mobile Milan - AMS reporting for @Share_Design #design #lighting @FLOSlighting #iSalone - HERE & HERE

READ full post HERE at Share Design & HERE at The SNAP Assembly.

[ichheisselola]

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LOVING Le Bambole sofa!! Craving it in denim :). #design #B&BItalia #interiordesign

via @YellowTrace #Yellowtrace

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BELLE - @AMS_info on @BokjaDesign #Alessi #PeterZumthor @BisazzaOfficial #PhilippeStarck #design #art #architecture @bellemag - on sale Monday!

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BELLE mag - @AMS_info profile on Brit designer Michael Young #design #furniture @Mini #minimoke #LASVIT @bellemag #published - on sale Monday!

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BELLE (June July) - AMS profile on #TomDixon @TomDixonStudio #design #furniture #lighting #published @bellemag @AMS_info #adidas - on sale Monday May 6th!