“In a world of design which is dominated by rationalism, minimalism and technology, it is a pleasure and a necessity to find a scarce and lonely soul who puts forward her power and sensitivity to create pieces with a smart esthetic and feminine language,” says Marcel Wanders of Slovenian designer, Nika Zupanc.“Let’s hope she will lead a way for the long awaited emancipation of femininity in design.”

Bubble lamps. Designed by Nika Zupanc.

Fresh off the press, Zupanc is satisfying the Wanders hope for a bit of feminine brilliance in her transparent Bubble lamps of the Summertime Collection that are new for 2012. Created out of a light pink glass that is blown by the Vistosi brand, it’s thin, “centenary tradition in glass of Murano” is held elegantly but a metal black stem and designed for ceiling suspension.

In both a 60 cm and 45 cm diameter, the pendant lamps can be hung together in groupings, spaced out in a linear fashion, or used as a single, opulent bulb. Zupanc used her Bubble lamps as a part of her smash hit “Summertime Collection” that debuted at Milan Design Week 2012. Focusing clearly on an emotional outpouring of color and shape using various materials, the collection included the Bubble lamps hanging above red and foldable, golden-embroidered anchor design chairs to match a black table design with a wind-up looking mechanism that flips the surface.

Though the highly-acclaimed designer is young, her courage as a standout artist with a vision that pushes the playful limits of aesthetics and material are noticed by all who pay attention to where the designs of 2012 and beyond are now heading.

About the Designer: Nika Zupanc is a furniture designer who “believes in and fights for the right to express values that do not derive from rationalism, technicism, pure utilitarianism, and low-key comfort – the ideas that still dominate contemporary design”. The former Academy of Fine Arts and Design student from Ljubljana focuses on the innovative side of contemporary furnishings and lighting with a long list of design awards already pinned to her sleeve as well as collaborations with Moooi, Moroso, Spazio Rossana Orlandi and Nodus.