Gabriel Hendifar’s New Apparatus Lighting Collection Honors Iranian Heritage and His Mother Afsaneh

Artistic director Gabriel Hendifar of Apparatus has unveiled a deeply personal lighting collection inspired by his mother, Afsaneh, and rooted in Iranian design traditions. Drawing from centuries-old Persian motifs—such as intricate geometric patterns and symbolic floral forms—Hendifar translates these cultural elements into modern furnishings with handcrafted precision. The collection features custom brass, glass, and ceramic pieces that reflect both ancestral craftsmanship and contemporary minimalism, embodying a legacy passed down through generations. Each fixture in the new Apparatus lineup carries emotional weight: the 'Afsaneh Pendant,' for instance, echoes traditional Iranian lanterns while reimagining them with fluid silhouettes and warm ambient light. The materials—hand-forged brass, blown glass, and locally sourced ceramics—are selected not only for their aesthetic resonance but also for their connection to Iran’s artisanal history. This fusion of heritage and innovation underscores Hendifar’s commitment to storytelling through design, transforming family memory into functional art. The launch marks a pivotal moment for Apparatus, known for its boundary-pushing furniture and lighting, as it expands beyond avant-garde aesthetics into emotionally driven narratives. By centering his mother’s influence, Hendifar elevates personal history into universal themes of identity, migration, and belonging. As global audiences seek authenticity in design, this collection stands out as a powerful reminder of how culture shapes creativity. The future of design may lie not just in form, but in the stories behind it.