JULIA RANSOM AND JOHANNA DUNN

Hailing from the worlds of fashion, retail and finance, the American-born, London-based founders launched their creative collaboration earlier this year and like Marfa Stance, explores the harmony between aesthetic and function. Ransom + Dunn was born from a desire to create a capsule of considered furniture and objets that make up the essential cornerstones of a home. Like the key pieces of a refined and timeless wardrobe. Their debut collection ‘Foundations’ juxtaposes neoclassical influences with an appreciation for 20th century design and contemporary living, using marble, stone, wood and rich textiles.


TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND

Julia: I started my career at Conde Nast in NYC and moved into finance from my mid 20's to early 30's. After moving to London, I decided to shift focus and pursue what I was passionate about - interiors and design. I enrolled in the Inchbald School of Design to study architectural interior design, a course which also highlighted product design.

Johanna: I grew up outside Detroit and have always been fortunate to be surrounded by incredible design beginning at Cranbrook Academy and the Cranbrook Institute of Art. I went on to study Art History at the University of Pennsylvania and then went on to work in luxury retail in the US and Europe at Saks Fifth Avenue and MyTheresa as a buyer. I fell in love with living abroad and moved to London after Germany where I received an MBA at London Business School. From there, I continued to work in partnerships and marketing the fashion and luxury sector but knew long-term I wanted to create a brand within the homeware and design space where I believed there was a void.

WHAT LEAD YOU TO LAUNCH RANSOM + DUNN?

Julia: Before starting our business, we would spend hours at night looking at furniture. We both felt the simple and strong pieces we wanted to buy were not available outside of the gallery space, so we decided to work together to develop a capsule collection of furniture with small suppliers throughout Europe and make the pieces we were looking for. We were drawn to create our partnership because we share a very similar taste and personal style - tonal, textured, modern and classic usually with a statement piece or two which we believed would translate well into the world of home.


WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

Julia: I think we have a strong point of view, and this is evident in our product and consistent brand identity.

Johanna: Agreed. We have laid the foundations of our brand, and this is just the beginning. We have so much in store to look forward to.

HOW DO YOU STYLE YOUR MARFA STANCE PIECE AND WHY DO YOU LIKE THE BRAND?

Julia: Our brands have a similar ethos. They are edited and refined. There is an attention to detail, material and silhouette. Marfa Stance is what we want to wear all of the time. On the school run with denim and trainers, to the park in wellies, out to dinner with leather pants and heels.

Johanna: I am a great admirer of Marfa Stance brand and product. Georgia and her team have created the ultimate wardrobe beginning with outerwear, a category I always saw a void in, similar to our own brand. I can wear the pieces from day to night, outdoor to indoor and whilst traveling which is key for me. I love the versatility of each product whether it is the endless ways to wear each piece by reversing it our building on to it.

Photographer: Amelia Allen