By LAWRENCE TAN

Nature, or more specifically its varied forms, is at the heart of Alexander Lamont’s latest collection, the LAMONT/02. For example, the curves of a ripe pumpkin, crumpled leaves from lotus ponds, or textured skin of a jackfruit have been beautifully and artistically interpreted and translated into sculptural pieces, accessories and vessels in caste bronze, shagreen and hand-blown glass.

Besides turning out original designs using traditional artisan techniques, Lamont’s multi-national crew of 100 skilled craftsmen also work with ‘rare finds’ sourced from Lamont’s extensive travels around the world, and especially this part of Southeast Asia.

Lamont insists he is not so much a designer and prefers to call himself ‘an editor of materials’. His design sensibilities are honed from an accumulation of cultural experiences gleaned from growing up in Kenya and India, and ‘playing’ with the folkart that his father imports for his family business – “as if they were toys”, he said.

“I feel that my work is in reducing materials to something quite basic.  First and foremost is form, then good materials. What Lamont Design produces are beautiful items with a timeless quality that are not a part of a trendy ‘design’ fad,” Lamont said.

Alongside LAMONT/02, the self-taught designer is presenting a collection of sculptural pieces fashioned from such materials as carved stone roof awnings from Sumbawa, 19th century Chao Fah temple finials from northern Thailand, the corroded prows of boats from Laos, and giant wooden wheels from ox carts in Java.

A leaf sculpture wall installation at the Capella Singapore

The Englishman, who made Bangkok his home nine years ago and founded his own self-titled design atelier LAMONT, is no stranger to the travel and hospitality industries. Lamont’s collections can be found in five-star hotels, luxury villas, resorts and spas such as Capella Singapore, The Setai Miami, Aman Summer Palace, the Connaught Hotel London and most recently, the Nam Hai in Vietnam.

His five boutiques, (spread around Bangkok and one in Phuket), are also the go-to places for fellow interior designers. Lamont counts among his clients major design and furnishing showrooms like Baker and McGuire, and contemporaries like Jacques Garcia, Deborah Oppenheimer, Thomas Pheasant and Christian Liaigre. However, if Thailand is not on your travel itinerary anytime soon, you can visit Lamont’s recently ‘opened’ online shop to check out his latest collections.

Lamont