It’s that day of the year when we scour stories of creativity, passion, resilience, and success. It’s that day when we pay ode to the driving force of design, architecture, and art. It’s that day when we contemplate whether one day is enough to commemorate the impact and legacy women have created. Nonetheless, it’s the day we try to address prevalent gender bias, celebrate equality, and turn Womecrux to appreciate the female of power and humbleness.
After talking to a dozen women architects and designers in 2023, the conclusion I drew was that in the dynamic world of architecture and design, women are not just participants, they are shaping narratives. They are the ones challenging norms and forging new paths. Last year, I voyaged to find the Women’s Mural in Architecture and Design, this year I have tried to dive into the dazzling sets of Hollywood and intricate fabrics of architecture and design to find stories that resonate with resilience, crayons with creativity, and foster with a fierce determination, to leave an indelible mark on the spaces we inhabit.
But before that, should a man even be writing about such matters? Even if he dares to do so, does he feel (or even know) what a woman has to undergo, experience, and is subjected to, in their personal and professional lives? Do I, or any man for that matter, who doesn’t feel pain every month, doesn’t have to face casual sexism at the office, and isn’t subject to body shaming; does such a man even get to write a story about the resilience and rise of women in design? Well, I believe, somebody has to, so why not me?
Despite this, the first feedback I received when I approached ladies of power for their expression about Women’s Day was pretty staunch. “Any article written about women struggle should be written by a women, not men,” a Managing Editor of an upbeat magazine said to shut me up. I’d take the cynicism positively, and why not, it’s years of repressed angst that someone has to bear with, so why not me? And, here it goes.
“Historically, women have always played a crucial role in politics, culture, and even in revolutions without being aware, nor acknowledged. Much has been done in recent times, although not enough. We have to be grateful to all those inspiring women who have fought to open doors for others to come, and continue to do so,” Manuela Lucá-Dazio, Pritzker Prize Director tells me.
“I see an entire generation of young architects – and so many of them are women, who are actively pushing the conventional boundaries of the discipline towards inclusiveness and innovation, understanding the power of architecture to contribute to personal freedom and social justice,” she adds.
Dazio further emphasizes that this new wave of change is not only limited to architecture but extends beyond hedges in art, music, journalism, literature, and many other disciplines. With this momentum, she envisions a future where more women will not only be recognized for their contributions as participants but will ascend to leadership roles like the Pritzker Prize and beyond.
Speaking of leadership, Isabella Alveberg is another figurehead in the design industry. She has been at the helm of Snohetta for years and has an interesting perspective on things. “We have over 300 employees. Not everybody is an architect or a designer. We have many other different roles in the company and they’re all equally as important because they all make Snohetta what they are. We have a very collective approach to how we work; I think if you look at our company as an organization, we’re both multicultural and multigender. In essence, we reflect all the societies that we work in,” she states.
What Dazio and Isabella say holds water, but even after four waves of feminism and the vocal #MeeToo movement, things are a little wonky. To get a fair sense of opportunities for women in design, architecture, set decoration, architecture, and design journalism, we need not look at statistics (because they aren’t promising). There is either very little research on the subject or that which is done hasn’t reached the public eye. So this year, I tried something different. I left an open mic for the brave and beautiful women of design, architecture, and set decoration to narrate their stories firsthand.
In the shimmering realm of Hollywood where dreams are spun into tales, the unsung heroes behind the scenes often work tirelessly to create the mesmerizing worlds we see on the silver screen. Among these silent architects of imagination is set decorator Tina Jones.
“When I first started out 35 years ago…sexism was prevalent and women were not taken seriously as it was always assumed you would leave the industry when and if you had children. The best advice I was given as a young runner was to grow a thick skin, turn a blind eye and accept that I would often be the butt of bad jokes and unwanted sexual advances. It was tough.”
Such an experience is not Tina’s alone. Oscar-nominated set decorator, Claire Kaufman, also has been strong in approach through the early days in the field. Tina opens up to Homecrux and reflects on the challenges she had to face as a woman stepping into the predominantly male-first set decoration domain.
“I once in defense of one of my crew, who had been subjected to unwanted attention, complained to the designer who said ‘Don’t worry Tina it was just a bit of harmless fun.’ When I reminded the male designer that this young woman could be his daughter, wife, or sister, he thought for a moment and agreed it was not to be tolerated. The offending male crew member was dismissed,” Tina narrates.
Courageously standing up for her crew member and against harassment, Tina’s action suggests, a woman’s voice must be heard and respected at the workplace. Despite the hurdles, Tina acknowledges the transformative power of movements like #MeToo and the increasing presence of HR departments, which have provided avenues for addressing issues of inequality and discrimination.
For Claire Kaufman, her journey spanning over two decades has seen the changing roles of women in set decoration. “When I started, women decorators were a rarity,” she recounts. “Now, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our male counterparts.”
“Probably working with construction was a hurdle to get over. I have made it a point to learn how to read construction drawings, learned how to use a scale ruler, and everything I could about scenic painting,” Claire mentions while underscoring the importance of continuous learning and skill development in breaking gender barriers.
As Hollywood embraces diversity and representation, women set decorators play a pivotal role in shaping narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. Claire’s nomination for an Academy Award stands as a testament to the triumph of talent and perseverance over entrenched gender norms. Her message to aspiring decorators is clear, “Have belief in yourself and keep the thirst for knowledge,” which are the cornerstones of success in this dynamic and fulfilling career, she informs.
As I steer my path from Hollywood sets to the world of design and architecture journalism, where every line penned shapes our perception of form, function, and space; women are leaving an indelible mark.
Pooja Khanna Tyagi is one such journalist who has been confronting biases, shaping narratives, and redefining the discourse on design and architecture. For Pooja, the journey into design and architecture journalism has been one of continuous evolution and adaptation to the situation and challenges thrown at her. Raised in the bustling streets of Kolkata in India, Pooja’s childhood was steeped in “the cultural tapestry of Bengal, fostering a deep appreciation for art, literature, and architecture.” “My proficiency in English owes much to my education in Kolkata,” she informs, reflecting the roots of her affinity for writing and editing.
Marriage and motherhood are important parts of any women’s life cycle and this phase brought Pooja to Delhi where she had to start from scratch, leading her to explore writing as a career option that she could pursue from the comfort of my home. Transitioning from a successful career as a Project Architect to the position of Editor-at-Large at Yanko Design, Pooja’s path has been marked by ups and downs.
“Starting as a Project Architect and now associated as the Editor-at-Large at Yanko Design has been a journey of highs and lows,” she shares. Despite the challenges, Pooja’s resilience and determination have propelled her forward, shaping her into a formidable force in the world of design journalism.
“In my opinion, women in design and architecture journalism and writing bring unique perspectives and insights due to their innate multitasking abilities. They adeptly blend the practical aspects of the field with the intricacies of storytelling, achieving a balance that incorporates both technical detail and emotive narrative. This balance is essential for crafting compelling and beautiful stories that resonate with readers.”
Another woman, who is considered a top voice in design and architecture journalism is Annalisa Rosso. For Annalisa, the path to becoming Editorial Director of Salone del Mobile.Milano has been one of exploration and innovation. Hailing from a small seaside town in Liguria, Annalisa’s childhood was imbued with a love for reading and interior decoration, laying the foundation for her future endeavors in journalism.
From holding the position of Editor-in-Chief of Icon Design to being appointed the Director of Domus online magazine, Annalisa’s career has been marked by a passion for reading, writing, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of storytelling. “Each conversation with a great thinker has a strong effect on me,” she shares. Annalisa further highlights the transformative power of dialogue and collaboration in shaping narratives.
Confronting gender biases and challenges head-on, now the Editorial Director of Salone del Mobile, she remains positive and hopeful for a future free from prejudice and inequality. “Architecture is a men’s profession, they say, but I have always ignored this,” Annalisa asserts.
Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and openness in storytelling, Annalisa seeks to give voice to overlooked perspectives and challenge conventional narratives, offering a fresh interpretation of history and ideas. “We are living the best moment ever to give back the truth,” she states.
Honestly, where we were, where we are, and where we will be in the context of opportunities provided to women is a tough question to answer. I once asked Maria Porro, Salone del Mobile President, ‘With You as President, Marva Griffin as Salone Satellite founder, and Annalisa Rosso as Editorial Director, is this the beginning of a new feminine wave in Salone and design world in particular.’
She responded, “For me, the question of being a woman in an industrial or design environment does not really arise. As a woman President I’m happy to have broken a routine and represented innovation and inclusiveness. However, I strongly believe that the motivation to grow and perform is human, not related to a specific gender.”
To me, Manuela Lucá-Dazio, Maria Porro, Isabella Alveberg, Tina Jones, Claire Kufmen, Pooja Khanna Tyagi, Annalisa Rosso, and many more women in leadership roles, the field of set decoration, design, architecture, and journalism are not just storytellers, they are architects of change. These women inspire us to reimagine our world. For in their hands lies the power to transform dreams into reality, whether it’s building one set at a time or penning one story that shapes the time…
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