First look at Douglas Friedman and Lobmeyr’s glass collection

Esteemed photographer and Wallpaper* contributor Douglas Friedman has an eye for a stunning image, and his latest venture into the world of glassmaking showcases a similar talent. After teaming up with Viennese glassmakers at Lobmeyr, Friedman playfully took inspiration from America’s Old West to present six glasses and a jug, with hand-painted illustrations and motifs.

The collection, available exclusively at Abask, unites an unlikely combination of centuries-old craftsmanship with playful, contemporary, Texas-inspired design—a tightrope of sophisticated elegance and quirky charm that Friedman and Lobmeyr balance with care and beauty.

Douglas Friedman x Lobmeyr Collection

The photographer, who lives in Marfa, West Texas, was inspired by his Friedman Ranch and tattoo art, telling Wallpaper*: ‘I always feel inspired when I’m there. It’s the place where I relax and have fun. I’m constantly inspired by the area, from the sweeping cloud formations that create the view outside my window to the area’s iconic motifs and emblems that we’ve adapted for this collection in a pinch.’

The illustrations feature lots of dynamic movement, from scorpions to horses, and a friendly-faced cowboy. Throughout the design process, Leonid and Louise Rath of Lobmeyr helped Friedman narrow down the selection. “I wouldn’t say there were any challenges, it was a pretty joyful collaboration from start to finish,” Friedman said. ‘Once I connected with Leonid Rath (sixth generation master glassmaker) and Louise Rath (artist and illustrator) from Lobmeyr, I started creating moodboard motifs and they selected the ones that would best translate when hand-painted on glass by their artisans . They have 200 years of experience in this, so I felt very safe in their hands.”

With centuries of glassmaking under his belt, it’s no surprise that Lobmeyr has been a pioneer in the world of glassware, from hand-blown, cut, engraved and polished pieces since 1823. No stranger to collaborations, Lobmeyr worked with Thomas Edison to create the first electric chandelier in 1883.

With the new collection’s primetime launch for the upcoming entertainment season, Friedman is ready to settle into his ranch and play host to guests, saying “(You can wear the collection) all the time and every days. I’ll use mine for freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning, by the bed for water at night, and for champagne and cocktails whenever I have guests over. They adapt very well to all occasions.

Working within a new medium, Friedman said it was an “equally creative process of collaboration, imagination and pursuit of a beautiful final product,” with the overall collection proving that for both Friedman and Lobmeyr, this is not their first rodeo.