FRED RIGBY

We are pleased to spotlight our latest Marfa Muse, interior and furniture designer Fred Rigby.

Fred founded his London-based furniture and interior design practice Fred Rigby Studio in 2008. The independent studio in London Fields works across scales from complete interiors to furniture. Using British materials, suppliers and manufacturers the studio takes a conceptual approach, which blurs the line between art and design. 

Fred wears size L in the Shareable Quilt in black with reverse dark olive, personalised with the Shearling Collar in buttermilk.

#marfamuse

Tell us about your background

I grew up in Dorset in South England. A beautiful place full of rolling hills, woodlands and pebble beaches, all a source of inspiration for me now! I then moved up to London to study Furniture Design at university and developed a career in designing Furniture and Interiors. Our studio and showroom is now based in London Fields, where there is a tiny, tiny piece of woodlands, which give me my taste of Dorset if I can’t escape. 

What led you to working in interiors and furniture design?

Having grown up in the countryside I’d always been making and creating whether in my Dad’s garage (much to his protests) or out in fields, building treehouses, go-karts or playing with bangers (old cars). I’d also been interested in using my hands, which led me to study Furniture Design where I discovered artists Ron Arad, early Tom Dixon, Rietveld and Richard Hamilton. Then I started to create furniture and interiors (through collage). I think I nearly failed the course as I got stuck into creating so many ideas in the amazing workshops at university! I then decided that rather than wait for a furniture commission, if I designed interiors I could design and make loads of furniture at once. Designing homes were a long journey so I decided to stick to retail interiors to begin with, they were fun, quick, and I loved planning the spaces around a customer journey, and still apply this to our interiors whether homes or retail. 

Talk us through your journey so far

The journey is always continuing! We’ve just opened our first showroom, so that’s the next journey! 

What are you most proud of?

I suppose opening our new studio home, it’s something I’d always dreamed of doing. Housing our design studio, workshops and a space to view our furniture in a homely setting. I can’t wait to start welcoming guests into the space and discussing pieces for their homes or new retail or home interior projects.

What advice do you have for others who are thinking about getting into similar roles?

Get ready for a rollercoaster! 

How do you style your Marfa Stance piece?

I’m constantly adapting it and changing it, it’s like having 4 jackets in one depending on the weather or whether you’re heading to a meeting or pub! 

Photographer: Stuart Simpson