Cecilie Manz solid rugs

Cecilie Manz 1972

Cecilie Manz is one of Denmark’s leading young designers. Born in 1972, Manz studied at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1997 and later at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki. In 1998, she moved back to Copenhagen and started her own design studio.

Form and working method

Cecilie Manz draws inspiration from everyday situations, where some ideas remain exploratory studies while others develop into functional objects for daily use. She designs furniture, glass and lighting for the home and has collaborated with established manufacturers such as Fritz Hansen. Among her more recognised works are the Pouf for Fritz Hansen.

Manz views her projects as parts of a larger, ongoing whole. They are often connected through material choices, aesthetics and function, with each new commission relating to previous experience. Some innovations remain experimental, while others evolve into tangible and useful objects.

According to Manz, inspiration often lies within the brief itself. New ideas emerge through work, testing and refinement. The design process begins with a thought that must be relevant and clearly defined in function before taking physical form. Her work centres on simplicity and a consistent method, where clean forms and carefully considered decisions create objects with a strong presence. She works from her studio in Copenhagen and has received several awards, including the Danish Design Award and the Finn Juhl Prize.