MARIE MICHIELSSEN AT AREA

The creative force behind Serax for 25 years, Marie Michielssen finds inspiration in the natural beauty of her surroundings and in the talent and craftmanship of others. Through dedication, artistic vision, and the support of a talented team, she has helped to propel the Belgian brand to international acclaim, creating a legacy of beautiful, meaningful objects that stand as a testament to her creative spirit.

Marie embraces imperfections, both in people and in her creative work. In her view, these natural flaws and unique characteristics aren’t defects to be hidden, but rather the very elements that bring true beauty and authenticity to both art and humanity. She creates most of her designs intuitively, working with her fingers. Each object is thus perfectly imperfect, with slightly rounded edges and curved lines. Drawing on accumulated experience and wisdom, she now prioritises timelessness in her work, crafting pieces designed to endure for generations.

Marie Michielssen was named Designer of the Year 2025 by Tableware International at the prestigious Awards of Excellence.

Apparent contrasts between feminine intuition and masculine ratio, between light and dark, between organic and symmetrical, find a balance in a series of accessories, lamps, tables and chairs. They float between a functional piece and an aesthetic object, that does not have to prove anything, just be. Influences from outside, but also inner thoughts and emotions flow together in a line, a shape and ultimately an object. Every object is an exploration. Boundaries are pushed. Through her designs, Marie Michielssen shows what is not always said. For her interior accessories Marie often starts from materials that she can model by hand. The intuition, the gut feeling, often gets the upper hand. Her successful Earth collection in papier-mâché is the best example of this.

Designing furniture requires a different approach. After all, tables, chairs and stools must fit human proportions. First, Marie makes sketches which she builds up almost mathematically. She plays with volumes, ovals, circles, beams. The proportions have to be right, in line with the Bauhaus principle.

For instance, for the Valerie lounge chair, she started from an elliptical base to which she added two rectangular surfaces, a seat and back at a perfect angle that makes it possible to sit comfortably. She chose lacquered steel so that Valerie can be used both outside and inside. She also likes steel because it is an honest, somewhat brutal material.

The common thread in my life: love and beauty. Love is the antidote to all that is ugly and harsh in this world. I draw a lot of inspiration from beauty around me, also from the beauty and talent I see in people. It brings so much satisfaction to work with talented people, craftsmen and women, to take my designs to the next level. Over the years I strived for more authenticity in my work. I am letting go of excess ballast and trust my feeling, experience and yes, wisdom to create objects that are more meaningful. As I get older I find it more and more important that my designs can stand the test of time and last for generations. - Marie Michielssen