Apparatus's Latest Collection Pays Tribute to Designer's Mother and Persian Heritage
Apparatus artistic director Gabriel Hendifar has created Act V: Afsaneh, a collection inspired by his Iranian mother and the women in his family. The line includes lighting, furniture, and rugs that translate motifs like seeds, flowers, serpents, and globes into functional objects. Hendifar says the shapes came to him from a dream, reflecting themes of hospitality and passing on knowledge.
The collection's development spanned four years, during which Hendifar was simultaneously furnishing his new SoHo loft, allowing him to test domestic ideas in his own space. His research mood boards drew from periods of intense cultural flowering that were interrupted, including Weimar Germany, 1970s Iran, and Cuba.
The Jahaan table's form derives from the tombak, a traditional hand drum played by his father, while the Rahvi light's curve came from observing a friend's tightly banded ponytail. New materials like fiberglass enabled a 40-inch-wide Gol pendant, and the Esfand pieces incorporate incense holders, reinforcing themes of hospitality and ritual.
This collection may resonate beyond design enthusiasts, offering Iranian American audiences a visible celebration of heritage within luxury furnishings. By translating Persian motifs into contemporary objects, Hendifar could encourage broader cultural storytelling in mainstream design, potentially inspiring other designers from immigrant backgrounds to explore their own narratives. The line may also prompt conversations about how cultural traditions are preserved and adapted in modern commercial contexts, affecting how consumers value authenticity in design.