We asked, they answered. Design Miami’s top collectors, curators, designers, and tastemakers tell us who they currently have their eye on and why. Scroll on to be inspired.

Kim Mupangilaï/“In the summer of 2023, Kim Mupangilaï unveiled an incredibly thoughtful furniture collection investigating themese of identity and cultural appropriation. This year, she’ll participate in two important exhibitions [in the U.S. and Europe] surveying contemporary design.” @pangilai

Sean Gerstley/“In 2023, we got a peek into artist and ceramicist Sean Gerstley’s exploration of new materials. In the spring, [Sean] will expand that exploration with a solo show of new work, his second with the gallery.” @seangerstley

Wendy Maruyama/“After nearly two decades of art making, legendary artist and craftsperson Wendy Maruyama returned to furniture in late 2023 with a hand-painted blanket chest exhibited by Superhouse at Design Miami/. She’ll continue the momentum at the gallery with a two-person show later in 2024 with fellow studio furniture maker and friend, Tom Loeser.” @wendymaruyama

Nifemi Marcus-Bello/ “Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello's empathy-driven, Lagos-based practice draws on local culture, materials, and manufacturing expertise to create commercial and collectible design pieces that center West African stories, past and present. His poetic work honors communities and craft heritage while also sparking discourse on some of today's most pressing issues—demonstrating design’s potential to connect beyond borders.” @nmbello1

ibiyanε/ “Tania Doumbe Fines and Elodie Dérond of ibiyanε named their design studio after the Batanga word meaning “to know one another.” Working from Martinique and primarily in wood, they hand-sculpt objects inspired by personal and collective memories that pay homage to the duo’s respective Caribbean and Cameroonian heritage. The resulting pieces embrace design as a tool for storytelling, and feel both powerfully intimate and elegantly timeless.” @ibiyane

Xanthe Somers/“London-based, Zimbabwean ceramicist Xanthe Somers’ expertly executed, large-scale ceramics are characterized by bold colors, exaggerated forms, and vibrant textures that demand a closer look. She reimagines everyday domestic objects as vivid, sculptural works—all while exploring the politics of aesthetics and, in particular, postcolonial Zimbabwean culture.” @xanthesomers

Leyuan Li/“[Leyuan] is an incredible architectural designer who draws from his Chinese heritage to raise awareness of cultural possibilities in typically absent landscapes.” @li_leyuan

Curry Hackett/“[Curry’s] work weaving multiple African American histories and alternative speculations through the use of artificial intelligence is simply remarkable. He is able to generate entire worlds through simple text prompts that make one proud to be Black American.” @curryhackett

Jennifer Bonner/ “[Jennifer’s] design work is whimsical and full of pop-culture references. Mass timber is her material of choice, and her Haus Gables has found itself in the music videos of Latto, 6lack, and many other Atlanta stars.”

Brent Buck/ “A fantastic architect with a great eye for interiors, I call him the new John Pawson. He is currently [top of my list] of architects I’d love to collaborate with.” @brentabuck

David Lucido/“Super talented, with a great eye for vintage furniture, David’s work feels approachable and unstuffy—just like his personality.” @dalucido

Courtney Applebaum/“Highly sophisticated but quite understated in both her interiors and furniture design, Courtney’s work shows great understanding for all things antique and vintage—something I identify with and have great respect for.” @courtneyapplebaumdesign

Formafantasma/ “[Formafantasma] never compromise. In all of their work (both concept and production), there is integrity while being precise and demanding.” @formafantasma

Fernando Laposse/ “[Fernando’s] way of working with and for communities is a reference for others and sets new standards for transparency.” @fernandolaposse

Alice and Gavin Munro of Full Grown/“[Alice and Gavin] invented their own way of working with nature, in full collaboration between mankind and nature, as opposed to extracting FROM nature.” @fullgrownfutureuk

Luam Maleke/“Both a material experimentalist and a close observer of psychology, Luam’s exhibition Furnishing Feelings at R & Company last year established her as a compelling new voice on the scene.” luammaleke.com

Robell Awake/“Though based on traditional joinery techniques, Robell’s furniture has a remarkable visual freshness and contemporary resonance. His groundbreaking research into the history of Black craftsmanship—in partnership with fellow furniture-maker Charlie Ryland—is featured in the current exhibition Hammer and Hope at the Center for Craft in Asheville, North Carolina.” @robellawake

Bill Carroll/ “Recent Rhode Island School of Design MFA grad Bill Carroll has a broad palette of inspiration, ranging from John Coltrane’s improvisatory jazz to the dust on his own studio floor. A standout at WantedDesign-ICFF last year, he is currently embarking on a residency with [Spanish architect and industrial designer] Patricia Urquiola, during which he’ll be making a new family of objects based on his research so far.” @_billcarroll

Germane Barnes /“[Germane] is more of a global superstar than one to watch, but I can't help but include him given that this Chicago native has been calling Miami home for the past several years. 2024 will bring his first major U.S. solo museum exhibition.” @germane.barnes

Dee Clements /“We’re delighted to be presenting an entirely new body of work by Dee at Felix LA this spring. Dee’s woven sculptures, which call to mind conversations surrounding the female form, are exquisitely rendered in natural fibers and bring a fresh perspective to dialogues surrounding craft.” @studio_herron

Farrell Hundley/“[Farrell Hundley] is a Los Angeles-based duo [of William Farrell and Elliott Hundley] doing extraordinary things in bronze. Their works, which range from intimate jewelry boxes and vases to large-scale chandeliers and furniture, call to mind ancient artifacts, natural elements, and the complexity of working in metal.” @farrellhundley

Joyce Lin/“This double major in biology and furniture design designed the experimental and jaw-dropping Explosion Chair while still in school.” @jolime

Frida Escobedo/“The Mexico City-based architect designed Creek Chair as one of her first furniture pieces. She is a world-class architect who was selected in 2022 by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC to reimagine its modern and contemporary galleries.” @fridaescobedo

Roberto Lugo/ “Roberto is already known as a world-class ceramicist, and he just keeps improving and improving. His 'pots’ get better and better.” @robertlugowithoutwax

Andile Dyalvane/“I am a big fan of Andile’s earthy materials and how his pieces [honor tribal traditions] in a contemporary way. They add soul to a room.” @andiledyalvane

Misha Kahn/ “I love [Misha’s] whimsical nature and experimentation with materials while creating pieces of exceptional quality.” @mishakahn

Victoria Yakusha of Faina Design/ “During one of the most dramatic and difficult periods in Ukraine’s history, the artist, designer and architect Victoria Yakusha produces optimistic sculptures of animals and spaces that are filled with light and hope. A childlike wonder embodies her essence.” @victoriayakusha

Sylvie Johnson/ “Senegal-born, Paris-based designer Sylvie Johnson literally weaves her sophisticated textiles and rugs with the elegant essence of the distilled materials of African and the refinement of all things Parisian. Her rugs and textiles transcend a mere category as products and become an art form. Her new collection of rugs for the US company Merida is fresh and inspiring, and can elevate any space.” sylvie-johnson-paris.com

Pierre Yovanovitch/“Having already mastered the profession of interior design, Pierre's new venture, a comprehensive furniture collection, will define a generation of design. Proportion, scale, history, humor, refinement and elegance are all on display, and he somehow navigates both renegade and classical at the same time. A visit to his newly opened New York atelier is a must.” @pierre.yovanovitch.mobilier