Coco Flip director Kate Stokes on inspiration, imitators and good design

Domain  catches up with Kate Stokes – co-founder and director of Coco Flip, a lighting and furniture label that started in Melbourne – to find out what makes her tick.

Q: You co-founded the Melbourne lighting and furniture label Coco Flip in 2010. When did you realise you wanted to be a designer?

A: I spent time working and travelling in Europe after finishing school and it was my trip to Copenhagen that first piqued my interest in furniture design.

Q: Where do you find inspiration?

A: I love travelling and the freedom of each day bringing a new adventure. Regular life at home inevitably develops a rhythm and I find breaking that opens up the possibility for fresh ideas.

By immersing myself in new cultures and travelling in unfamiliar environments, I feel excited to create. I usually start with a mood or a tone, and try to translate that feeling into an object.

Q: How hands-on are you in the manufacturing of your products?

A: We work with local manufacturers in Melbourne who specialise in their trade. The components are then brought into our studio for quality checking and the products are assembled and packed by us in Collingwood.

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Q: Your Coco Pendant light has spawned knock-offs. What do you think of the adage “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”?

A: Yes, unfortunately there are many imitations of our Coco Pendant out there. You don’t have to look too carefully though, to see that the knock-offs don’t have any of the craftsmanship of ours.

I think a lot of people don’t realise the implications of buying copies and how destructive it is for the Australian design industry.

So many young designers are taking risks and developing world-class products, but unless there is support for authentic design it won’t be sustainable in the long term.

Q: What are the greatest challenges you face running a design business in Australia?

A: The biggest challenge is reaching a wider market in Australia, and educating people on the value of authentic design.

Design is not inherent in our culture like it is in Scandinavia or Japan. We are a young country and we often don’t value longevity and permanence.

Q: Do you have any advice on how to choose lighting and furniture for a home?

A: Like art, furniture and lighting can have an immense impact on the overall feeling of your space. You don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money, but each piece should have a story.

When it comes to lighting, I like to think of it as dressing in layers for a Melbourne day. You should be able to peel back layers of light to set the right mood in a room.