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Cecilie Manz is an award-winning product designer, she trained at Danmarks Designskole and the Helsinki University of Art and Design before forming her own Copenhagen-based studio Manz Lab in 1998. Her products range from furniture, glassware and lamps to sculptures and jewellery. She tells Redhot about her city
Where do you live and why?
Denmark is a small country – you have either countryside or capital, and even this is quiet – so the last option is perfect for me.
What three things would you recommend a visitor should do when visiting Copenhagen?
Rent a bike and browse around in Christianshavn, Holmen, City and Noerrebro. Go to Ordrupgaard to discover Hammershøi’s paintings, and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is always a must.
Where do you find inspiration?
Either during hard work with a project – or it can pop up unexpectedly from anywhere.
How would you describe your work?
Less isn’t enough.
Of your designs what is your own personal favourite?
The Mondrian lamp is very dear to me; a lot of “nothing” and yet a lot of bright light.
What makes a piece of furniture a classic?
It needs to be durable and possess quality – in all senses of the words.
Which classic chair design do you most admire?
Gio Ponti’s Super Leggera is a beauty.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
My two children.
What can’t you live without?
My family. And my Powerbook.
Which living person do you most admire?
The novelist Kerstin Ekman.
Who, or what, makes you angry?
When an interest in oil, for instance, is more important than human life.
What’s your favourite piece of architecture in Copenhagen?
I like the tension between Danmarks Nationalbank by Arne Jacobsen and the twisted spire of Boersen just opposite it.
What is your favourite shop in Copenhagen?
Y’s (Yamamoto) just closed down here, so next in line must be Perch’s Thehandel – the oldest tea shop.
What is your favourite restaurant/ bar in the city?
Cap Horn has a nice atmosphere.
What piece of advice would you give a visitor to Copenhagen?
Don’t take it personally. Danes are supposed to be tolerant and civilised but we are quite suspicious of everything and everybody. Sorry in advance.
Which record most makes you dance?
Disco I guess, ABBA.
If you were a cocktail what would you be (and why)?
No umbrellas for me, so something on the rocks I would say.
What’s your philosophy, or motto for life?
Not having one.
What has been your favourite trip?
Tokyo, two years ago.
Which six people (dead or alive) would you invite to a dream dinner party?
I love dining with whoever, but given the chance, I would invite my grandmother and my father for them to meet my children.
What is your ultimate ambition?
To be able to continue my life, which I highly appreciate.
For more information about Cecilie Manz’s work check out www.manzlab.dk
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