JULIA RANSOM AND JOHANNA DUNN
We are pleased to spotlight our latest Marfa Muse duo, Julia Ransom + Johanna Dunn, Co-Founders of lifestyle and interiors brand Ransom + 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.
Both wear the Rain Coat, with Johanna choosing to wear on the stone side with the Aviator Collar in black and Julia styling on the black colourblock side with the matching Rain Hood.
Johanna also wears the Rain Cape with the Leather Collar in chestnut and the Long Patchwork Quilt in dark olive, bronze, stone with the Corduroy collar in mustard. Julia also wears the Cropped Aviator Vest in chocolate and stone with the Aviator Collar in natural shearling and orange leather.
#marfamuse
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.
TALK US THROUGH YOUR CAREER JOURNEY SO FAR...
Julia: Combined we both have experience in fashion, retail and finance honed whilst living in NYC, Europe and London. The core of most of my previous jobs has been sales, but I've always been a frustrated creative.
Johanna: I have worked extensively throughout the global luxury fashion retail sector at publicly owned department stores, e-commerce retailers, in-house at independent brands and start-ups. I knew I wanted to apply my experience and background to what I do know but also do it differently and better if possible. We have created a brand within the furniture and interiors space in which we consider the way we experience luxury today but in the context of the home.
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.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR RANSOM + DUNN?
Julia: We are working on developing more products which will expand on a few of the design elements of our first collection, Foundations. We think launching with a bedroom collection next makes the most sense in addition to adding a few pieces to our lighting category. We began our business with these serious core pieces but are looking forward to layering in tabletop and textiles and also doing collaborations with other designers we admire. In the next five years perhaps having our own brick and mortar store or some sort of outpost / presence in the USA. It would be a dream to design a boutique hotel.
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