It is from their studio in Beirut that the creative duo recollect some of the main ingredients behind their creative process: “harmony, circulation, function and, most importantly of all, personality.”

INÊS GRAÇA How do you complement each other professionally? DAVID/NICOLAS We have always worked together, even while we were studying. Over time, we believe we have relinquished a certain individuality in order to forge a dynamic working relationship in which we operate as one. The advantages are manifold: we are more demanding and critical, and we are able to approach our projects from different perspectives, evolving quickly. It’s a very organic cooperation and it is being honed over time.

What changed after the Loulou/Hoda exhibition, in which you presented pieces inspired by your grandmothers? We originally started our studio in Milan and then moved to Portugal before returning to Lebanon. We were looking for a sense of purpose, and understanding where we came from helps us understand the direction we want to take. It was that point in life when we were questioning everything; we wanted to understand our vision and identity. Lebanon is highly diverse culturally and few people were developing products, so there was room for us to explore and share new aesthetics. The Loulou/Hoda exhibition became a way for us to recreate that nostalgia while looking towards the future. It was an emotional exhibition and even now we remember a lady in tears telling us that we had brought back so many memories for her. This was a turning point, since it was the first time we had exhibited our work in Beirut and communicated our own vision of the world.