My Style: Designer Gavin Bernard

What inspires the Brit-born designer behind modern lighting brand Wake Up Dear
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Gavin Bernard
Photograph by Ben Rollins

This fall, Brit-born Bernard and industrial designer Suzuko Hisata launch Wake Up Dear, a modern design lighting brand. Their marquee product line, ODO, consists of striking, one-of-a-kind chandeliers made from birch plywood and hand-wrapped with woven thread in geometric patterns. This is just the latest project for Bernard, whose artful hand has helped curate notable retail spaces in the city. Along with business partner Alyssa Cassatto, he’s also one half of Grafite, a design company that works with indie retailers to develop their shop aesthetic. Clients include Aviary, Le Petit Marché, Octane Coffee Grant Park, and its forthcoming neighbor Elevator Factory, a community workspace for creatives that opens this fall.

Born in Wolverhampton, England. I moved to New York when I was seven and to Atlanta when I was 19.

Neighborhood Adair Park. It still has the old Atlanta charm I experienced when I lived in Reynolds-town—before it became hip.

Clothing item you can’t quit An old vintage pair of Nudie Jeans. I get them repaired over and over again.

Retail splurge A good pair of shoes. I mostly buy vintage, but I do love Atlanta’s handmade Cord Shoes and Boots.

Trend you’re over Farm tables. They’re everywhere.

Underrated design tip Good lighting sets the mood for a room. A dramatic overhead fixture can become its own work of art. Plus, everything looks better under a chandelier.

City you can’t stop talking about Toronto. The Art Gallery of Ontario is breathtaking. The city is bikeable. Everyone should go there.

Where you shop For furniture, custom designer Kendrick Anderson and B-10 Union. For clothing, I wish Megan Huntz made menswear. Once I asked her to make me a shirt.

How you clear your head I take a lot of walks all over the city. I escape to Grant Park.

The Odo Pendant
Photograph by Ben Rollins

The odo pendant
The fixtures, which debuted at Modern Atlanta, come in three patterns and six colors. From $850, wakeupdear.com

This article originally appeared in our November 2015 issue.

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