We’re just a week away from deadline: April 3, 11:59pm, so it’s time to get your entries in. There are nine categories for the Designers of the Year awards, ranging from architecture and interiors to fashion, industrial and furniture design—and more!—which you can read all about on our Entry Page.

What makes our awards special? Judges look at a body of work, rather than one project or moment in time. Winning the title of Designer of the Year reflects a holistic celebration of all of the work you do: just ask our past winners.

Without further ado, we’re thrilled to announce the incredible judges for our Furniture Design category for the 2023 WL Designers of the Year.

Giulia Molteni

Molteni Group

Giulia Molteni was born in Como on June 23rd 1979. She is currently Chief Marketing Officer of Molteni Group. Having graduated in Economics and Business from the Bocconi University in 2003, Giulia joined the family business in 2007 as Retail Manager, dealing with the concept, management and development of the Molteni&C Flagship Stores worldwide, after four years’ work experience in New York at Loro Piana.

In 2006 she gained a certificate degree in Marketing at NYU (New York University). From 2016 she is part of the Board of Directors of Aidaf – the Italian Association of Family Businesses (Family Business Network – Italian Chapter). 

 

Thom Fougere

Thom Fougere Studio

In his early career, Thom Fougere spearheaded the design arm of an international furniture manufacturer and established his own label. In 2010, Fougere was appointed creative director of Canadian design house EQ3. During his nine-year tenure in that role, he crafted numerous product collections for the company and led the brand through a transformative global re-positioning. This included designing EQ3’s New York flagship building, which was completed in 2019.

In 2021, he established his design practice, Thom Fougere Studio – which works within the fields of furniture design, product design, and architecture – in Montreal. His studio creates home furniture and industrial products for such brands as Mjölk and Division Twelve (Keilhauer) as well as spatial designs and installations, including the NIX pavilion (with artist Wanda Koop) as part of Winnipeg’s Warming Huts program for 2023. His work has been exhibited internationally at design fairs in Milan, Stockholm, New York, Montréal and Toronto.

READ MORE: All About Thom Fougere, DOTY Furniture Designer of the Year 2020 

Ross Bonetti

Livingspace

Vancouver-born Ross Bonetti has always appreciated modern design. In 1988, his lifelong passion for modern design drove him to open one of Vancouver’s first modern European design stores. Since then, Livingspace has evolved into an internationally recognized design hub supplying luxury European furniture, kitchens, and bath for the modern home.  

As the founder and CEO of Livingspace, Ross devotes his days to maintaining an approachable, customer-centric retail environment catering equally to the consumer and professional design community. He is also president of Livingspace Homes, a residential construction and renovation company that delivers exceptional quality homes to complement the modern lifestyle.  

An involved member of his community, Ross helped to establish the Livingspace Industrial Design Scholarship, and supports work placement opportunities for interior design students in B.C. He also volunteers his time to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital Foundation and Cause we Care foundation supporting Vancouver’s single mothers and their children.