GlasLove: Join the Fight Against Cancer with Luminaire

Glass is strong and beautiful, and a fitting metaphor for cancer survivors and their families. So it’s only appropriate that Nasir and Nargis Kassamali chose glass for the fourth “Love” fundraising auction, which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year, as they continue to raise money for research and awareness of the disease. Renowned designers and manufacturers, including Nendo, Piero Lissoni, Marcel Wanders, Naoto Fukasawa, Patricia Urquiola, Nao Tamura, Omer Arbel, Glas Italia, Lasvit, Arcade, Venini, and others have donated objects in glass, from chairs and tables, to lamps, chandeliers and tabletop. All proceeds will go to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami.

Candy Collection Chandelier by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Lasvit | Courtesy Luminaire.

In 1974, the Kassamalis opened Luminaire as a 500-square-foot space in North Miami Beach, offering European lighting directly to consumers, which before that had only been available to interior designers and design showrooms. Soon the Kassamalis moved to Coral Gables expanding their range to furniture and accessories, later then adding a showroom in Chicago, as they continued their quest to bring high-end design to the United States. Luminaire Lab, in the Miami Design Design District, takes the Luminaire concept even further with constantly changing inventory of innovative design from top manufacturers.

Unique Vase by Marcel Wanders | Courtesy Luminaire.

The first “Love” , PuppyLove in 2006 came about after Nargis Kassamali’s personal experience with cancer, and the couple used their considerable reputation with the international design community to solicit participation in their fundraising goals.  Thirty-six designers embellished Eero Aarnio’s white plastic puppies, and PuppyLove raised $450,000. Because of their ongoing efforts, and thanks to the generosity of a growing group of international designers who have donated items for auction, the Kassamalis have raised nearly $1,000,000 for cancer research.

Pair Chair 1-2 Step 2 by Nendo for Glas Italia | Courtesy Luminaire.

All auction items will be on display at Luminaire Lab in the Miami Design District, and the online auction via Phillips.com, will run from September 19 through October 11. A live auction and gala dinner will be held on October 6 in the Miami Design District (call-in bids will also be taken; online and call-in bidders can register at phillips.com. Among

Ando Time by Tadao Ando for Venini | Courtesy Luminaire.

the highlights of the   auction are more than thirty prototype pieces by Oki Sato (Nendo), donated by the designer and manufacturer Glas Italia. Lasvit has donated a Candy Collection Sphere Chandelier designed by the Campana brothers, and Venini has contributed a piece by architect Tadao Ando.

The strong resolve of the Kassamalis, and the contributions of the design community are surely a labor of love, as they continue the “Love” series of auctions for this very important cause.

Online auction – September 19 – October 11 at phillips.com; Live auction and gala dinner – October 6 at the Moore Building, Miami Design District