Reliving the 2024 VL50 Awards

A night-of-nights

The grandeur of the leap year was doubly celebrated on February 29 this year with the debut of the Vogue Living VL50 awards ceremony. Set to coincide with the release of the March/April issue, this event not only brought to life the creativity showcased on the magazine's pages but also unfolded within the majesty one of Sydney’s iconic venues.

Representing the pinnacle of creative excellence in the Australian design landscape, the VL50 list made its mark in a special way this year. Breaking tradition, the annual list was feted through an intimate awards ceremony held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales' newly constructed North Building, designed by Pritzker Prize winners SAANA, with Architectus. Since its opening in 2023, the venue has been a hub for diverse cultural events, and it provided a fitting backdrop for an evening dedicated to honouring Australia’s foremost creatives.

It was an honour for Mobilia to be the principal partner in such a prestigious showcase, drawing talent from across the country and beyond, including esteemed guest Patricia Urquiola lending her presence.

The elegance of the evening was further accentuated by an exclusive installation featuring Urquiola's designs for cc-Tapis, Cassina, Moroso, Kettal, and Glas Italia.

The affair commenced with a glamorous red carpet entrance, followed by an inspiring opening address from Vogue Living's editor-in-chief, Rebecca Caratti.

Throughout the night, guests were treated to heartfelt speeches from the 10 award winners spanning various categories, including art, architecture, interior design, product design, and landscape design. These speeches not only added depth but also underscored the evening's commitment to celebrating creativity and fostering community spirit in Australia.

Rebecca Caratti. Vogue Living's editor-in-chief with Patricia Urquiola.

VL50 Award Winners

Congratulations to all the winners from last week’s Vogue Living's VL50!

Olivia Bossy
On the Ascent Product Designer of The Year, presented by cc-tapis

Trent Jansen
Product Designer of The Year, presented by Mobilia

Secret Gardens
On the Ascent Landscape Designer of the Year, presented by Kettal

Paul Bangay
Landscape Designer of the Year, presented by Mobilia

Jason Phu
Artist of the Year, presented by Range Rover

Taylor and Hinds Architects
On the Ascent Architect of the Year, presented by Poltrona Frau

Wardle Studio
Architect of the Year, presented by Mobilia

Pattern Studio
On the Ascent Interior Designer of the Year, presented by Moroso

Fiona Lynch Office
Interior Designer of the Year, presented by Mobilia

Flack Studio
Creative of the Year, presented by Cassina

On designing the Waterford VL50 trophy

Mobilia’s founding director Sam Fazzari worked with heritage glassmaker Waterford to design the trophy for the inaugural VL50 Award.

On the process, Fazzari says: “The inspiration behind designing the VL50 award for Waterford came to me when I delved deeper into thinking about the recipient’s sensation and gesture of holding the award. I wanted to extend the celebration beyond just the moment of receiving it, and break boundaries to create something more than a conventional trophy. I envisioned an object that people could experience frequently in their day-to-day lives, like a vase or a carafe, something sculptural. This way, the winners could reconnect and resonate with the feeling over time. Materiality played a crucial role in this design, as it contributes to the award's longevity and preciousness. Creating an award that is treasured and not just placed in a trophy cabinet was pivotal to the entire design process, ensuring its permanence and significance.”

This year’s VL50 ceremony was not just a recognition of achievements but a testament to the vibrant and evolving landscape of design Down Under.