Zeev Aram, founder and chairman of modern furniture retailer Aram Designs, died peacefully at home on 18 March. He was 89.
His was a hugely eventful and fulfilling life, escaping to Palestine from World War 2 Transylvania, being part of the King’s Road swinging 1960s design scene, building an important design led company, receiving an OBE for services to design and architecture in 2014 and the Compasso d’Oro XXV for Lifetime Achievement in 2018.
After graduating from Central School of Art and Design, Aram worked in the architect practices of Ernő Goldfinger, Sir Basil Spence & Partners and Andrew Renton & Associates. Three years later he established his own design practice Zeev Aram & Associates, designing interiors, furniture, graphics, exhibition and product design.
Opening his furniture and design showroom on London’s Kings Road in 1964 he introduced to the UK market products from Italy by Gavina, Flos, Zanotta and Artemide with designs by Marcel Breuer, A&PG Castiglioni, Le Corbusier, Carlo Scarpa, Vico Magistretti, Archizoom and Superstudio, amongst others.
In 1973 Aram Designs moved to a larger premises in Covent Garden. In the same year Aram met with Eileen Gray who granted him the license to produce and market her designs. He worked closely with Gray and played a fundamental role in introducing her designs to the world market.
Aram was the director of The Aram Gallery for Experimental and New Design, a non-commercial gallery curating shows focused on experimental design. Through his series of graduate shows he introduced many new designers, such as Thomas Heatherwick and Jasper Morrison, who have gone on to become prolific figures in the design industry.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, son Daniel, daughters Debby and Karen, and his 10 grandchildren.
‘Our beloved Zeev has passed away peacefully. We are very proud of his many achievements, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him,’ said Elizabeth and Daniel Aram.
Image: Jessica Klingelfuss
