Bombay Sapphire winner $30,000 richer

Presented annually, The Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award recognises outstanding work by emerging Australian designers.

Now in its seventh year, the competition continues to attract Australia’s finest design talent.

Colin Rochester, managing director of Bacardi Lion says of the award: "We feel privileged and proud to have supported so many talented Australian designers over the past six years."

"This year, the Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award continues to go from strength to strength, not only in the standard of entries we receive but in the level of enthusiasm we receive from the design community."

Nicol, a graduate of Canberra School of Art, started his career as a gold and silversmith. His early work with jewellery and metal is reflected in his current design style. He currently manufacturers all his own work from his workshop in Wagga Wagga.

The judges particularly liked the dimmable globe, height adjustable facilities and lightweight material – all functions that contribute to its useability and successful design.

Nicol plans to invest the prize money ($30,000 in cash) to develop future projects and collaborations with other up and coming Australian designers.

He also plans to use the money to grow international interest in this uniquely Australian product which will be further helped by his trip to the 2010 Salone del Mobile design fair in Milan.

This year’s four runners up, who receive $2,500 each, include Melbourne designer Adam Cornish for his work Twist, Adelaide based design duo Daniel Emma (Daniel To & Emma Aiston) for their work Solids, and Sydney-based designers Gary Galego for his wooden framed bicycle Carbonwood along with Tomek Archer for his innovative table Pegleg.

The judges found it incredibly difficult to divide the finalists into two categories and wished they could award the same prize to all finalists for their impressive works.

Recipients of $1,000 prize money for being shortlisted finalists included Melbourne designers Helen Kontouris for Breathe, Kain Lucas for Victoria side table and Marcel Sigel for Weddel.

Sydney-based designers Joseph Ormrod for his Genus side table and David Knott for The Daily Grind.

The top ten designs make up the 'Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award Exhibition', which will be on display at the Gin Garden, Establishment Hotel until November 30, 2009. The exhibition showcasing the 2009 finalist’s works will travel to Melbourne and Brisbane in early 2010.

Judging Committee
David Clark – Editor-in-chief, Vogue Living
Richard Waller – Deputy Editor, Vogue Living
Heidi Dokulil – Director, The Parcel Group
Ewan McEoin – Director, Propeller
Liane Rossler – Director, Dinosaur Designs
Justin Hemmes – Owner, Merivale Group
Jennifer Sanders – Design Expert
Terri Winter – Managing Director, Top 3 by Design
Belinda Seper – Fashion Retailer, Belinda Stores
Prof. Kees Dorst – Professor of Design, UTS
Colin Rochester – Managing Director, Bacardi Lion

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