The T4 collection of
Holloway Li for UMA
Designers
6 January 2023
Reminding us of colourful 1990s settings, lava lamps and inflatable armchairs, the T4 collection is a nostalgic invitation to ‘Back to the Future’.
Drawing on the visual language of retro-futurism, the creative duo Holloway Li has teamed up with Steph Gallia, the founder of Uma, to imagine a series of armchairs and sofas in colour blocks. All in roundness, bi-material and in a deliciously greedy palette, T4 seems to come straight out of an old Prisunic catalogue.
Between London and Izmir, Uma is inspired by materials from the automotive industry and models the playful, modular shapes designed by Holloway Li. Tinged with humour and mischief, the T4 collection is available exclusively in Europe at the Goodmoods Galerie.
How did Holloway Li come about, as a creative duo and then as a design agency?
Na : “Alex and I first met through our respective projects at Michaelis Boyd Design Studio. In 2018, we founded Holloway Li together, and then it all went very quickly. From numerous interior design projects between New York and Hong Kong, to designing our very first furniture collection in collaboration with Uma.”
What is the story behind Uma?
“In parallel with my architectural projects, I started to produce my own pieces in the family factory. Amidst the industrial moulds and car parts made for Mercedes, Ford and Volvo, I set up my own small laboratory. Working for several designers and architects, I gradually brought this project to life. Today, Uma makes designer furniture in moulds, and experiments with different materials and industrial techniques.”
Tell us about your meeting between Holloway Li and Uma.
Na : “We’ve worked with Uma on a number of hospitality projects over the last couple of years. We’ve been working together since the early days of Holloway Li, so it was a no-brainer.”
Alex : “All three of us are driven by a common intention to innovate. Uma allowed us to push the limits of the material. Thanks to their technique and know-how, we were able to create without constraints. And to freely imagine a typology of geometries and volumes, which are nevertheless complex to achieve.”
What has influenced and shaped your taste?
Steph : “My influences swing between Turkey and the UK. Beyond aesthetics, my dual nationality allows me to find a balance in my work. Being able to collaborate, not being locked into one style and combining references to create something new and relevant.”
Alex : “Our influences are constantly evolving as we work on different projects. We like to create interiors that are anchored by a strong visual and narrative identity. Our designs always evoke a world with a real cinematic quality.”
What were the beginnings of the
T4 project?
Na : “The T4 collection was born as part of our project for the Bermonds Locke Hotel in London. The idea was to create a new retro-inspired setting. Each design had to evoke that same reference. Later on, the mould and design was developed and evolved into our first ever furniture collection in four vibrant shades.”
What were your inspirations?
Alex : “The 1990s were a kind of genesis for the design of the T4. The optimism of that era is very touching to us and we wanted to capture that nostalgia. The idea was to finely balance a retro aesthetic with a futuristic palette to create a potential ‘classic future’ so to speak.”
How did you compose this colour palette?
Na : “We work with a range of colours that are always very vibrant. Orange is used in many of our recent projects. We find it completely saturated in T4 Overground Orange, and slightly toned down in T4 Blush Pink. Even the walls of our flat are covered in it…”
Steph : “Next to these orange shades, the cream colour of T4 Cream Soda came to us quite naturally. We wanted to reproduce the yellowed look of the old white plastic and the Prisunic furniture pieces. We loved playing with these colours and the imaginary things they evoke.”
After a happy, nostalgic and colourful T4 collection, what will be your next playgrounds?
Alex : “In the continuity of the T4 modules, we will very soon launch a new collection, LIQUORICE. The pieces will be unveiled exclusively in Milan during the 2023 edition of Alcova between April 17 and 23.”
