Alexanne Plante
When it comes to interior objects, Alexanne Plante is designing items that bring a bit of magic and depth to everyday life. With design inspiration across light, shadow, and emotion, Alexanne is quickly gaining attention as a designer bridging the worlds between practicality and beauty. A prime example of this is Camille, her portable lounger that will be presented next month in New York at ICFF. We chatted with the designer to get a glimpse into her process, her upbringing, and her career journey. Meet Alexanne.
Alexanne resting atop her design ‘Camille,’ which will be presented at ICFF official from May 18 to 20, 2025, at the Javits Center in New York City.
DS: Hi Alexanne, welcome to Design Storytellers! Thank you for joining and sharing your story with us. First things first, share with us what you do and where you’re based.
AP: Hi, thank you! I am a Multidisciplinary Designer. I’ve been working in design for four years. I studied Interior Design and Environmental Design in Montréal, where I live, and I specialize in custom-made interior objects and elements.
DS: Great, thank you. How did you become interested in interior object design?
AP: I’ve always had a passion for theatre, and I quickly realized that designing spaces—whether at a scale of 1:1 or 1:1000—is a way of staging people’s lives. It allows me to create moments of contemplation, spark conversation, and make everyday life a bit more beautiful and easier. The emotional impact of the objects and environments that surround us deeply influences our feelings and perceptions—and that is the root of my fascination with design.
DS: Your work is certainly a reflection of that influence. Where do you specifically find inspiration for what you do?
AP: First, I would say light in the environment: reflections of the sun on water, the glow of golden hour on bedsheets hanging from a clothesline, the shadows that create shapes on buildings. Also overlooked materials—offcuts at suppliers waiting to be adopted, or abandoned furniture on the side of the road, as if it were my duty to save them. And in poetry. The connection between human emotion and lived experience greatly inspires the stories I aim to tell through my objects.
Camille, the portable lounger designed by Alexanne.
DS: Speaking of saving materials, your work has a sustainable function to it. How do you think design as an industry can be more sustainable?
AP: I believe emotional attachment to objects is key. Heirloom pieces are often timeless, passed down through generations. That attachment makes them harder to discard. Many of these objects are crafted locally, both in terms of materials and techniques. I think it's important to focus on high-quality, locally-made design—it reflects our shared history and fosters pride and identity in the objects we choose to keep.
DS: What do you love the most about what you do?
AP: Definitely material exploration—it’s the starting point of my creative process. The satisfaction and surprise that emerge from this phase often generate a deeper narrative in my work.
DS: Your career path into design seems so organic and natural. What was your upbringing like and how did that influence you?
AP: I grew up surrounded by artists—my family worked closely with nature and textiles and had a deep respect for repairing and making. Watching my mother sew our clothes, my father build our furniture, and my aunt sculpt for her garden made me realize how connected we are to our belongings. This nurtured my interest in heirloom objects and the role of production timelines in shaping creativity. Today, I carry a deep respect for craftsmanship and its value in the design process.
Delphine vases by Alexanne.
DS: It sounds magical and those processes are so beautiful. What project are you most proud of that you have worked on so far?
AP: One of my proudest projects was a collaboration with Alexis Giard and Vanessa Michaud, in partnership with Polyfloss (Emile De Visscher). The goal was to develop an object-scale transformation process using Polyfloss’ recycled plastic fiber. In response to the challenge of temporary housing in refugee camps, we created a system that transforms foam into recycled plastic bricks—versatile and temporary spatial elements with thermal and acoustic insulation properties. It’s a research project we are proud to see now being implemented in the field.
DS: Wow, that sounds incredible and so meaningful. Congratulations.
AP: Thank you.
DS: On the topic of research projects, what advice would you offer to students or other emerging creatives who are exploring a career in design?
AP: Don’t be afraid to play, explore, and move away from trends. Defining a clear practice objective that guides the narrative of your work is, in my opinion, essential to communicating strong values as a designer. Creating something that differs from what is already on the market can feel risky, but to me, that’s a sign of originality.
DS: Ok let’s talk travel, where are some places you like to go to find inspiration?
AP: Îles-de-la-Madeleine: A place that sparks my creativity—life moves slower, colors are more vibrant, and reuse is a way of life. Islanders find creative ways to repurpose fishing waste, blending art and object. There’s a local saying: “On the islands, there’s no such thing as time, only moments.” I disconnect from the outside world and create space in my mind for new ideas. Montréal: The city that taught me I could be anyone. It’s a hub of bold, creative minds unafraid to express who they are. With its year-round cultural events—free and paid—it’s a cradle of fresh inspiration.
I haven’t had the chance to travel much yet, but I dream of visiting Mexico City and Copenhagen—both are must-sees for any designer.
Alexanne.
DS: We need to get up to Canada and have a look around. What a beautiful saying from the islands. Last question: who are some people from throughout time that you find interesting?
AP: Faye Toogood. I greatly admire her creative process, which is grounded in intuition and a sense of naïveté expressed through model-making. She deliberately works outside of digital tools, engaging in close collaboration with skilled artisans. This approach results in truly unique pieces that evoke deep emotional responses. I believe the value of her work resonates within a distinctive and singular creative realm. Minjae Kim. Materiality and cultural belonging are deeply embedded in her work. It sparks in me a strong curiosity about both the narrative behind it and the creative process itself. Her practice is undeniably unique, pushing the boundaries of functional design and visual art in compelling ways. Sam Chermayeff. His work challenges the boundaries of functionality by bringing together objects that ultimately coexist in ways I would have never imagined. He plays with scale through a distinctly industrial approach. The body of work that resonates with me the most is the Creature collection, in which he boldly explores the idea of creating industrial creatures that merge materiality with functionality.
DS: Thank you, Alexanne, for a lovely interview! Wishing you all the success at ICFF and beyond.
AP: Thank you!
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Find Alexanne
Instagram: atelier.alz
Website: https://www.atelieralz.ca/
