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"Art can touch souls and transmit infinite areas of knowledge that transcends time in dimensions"

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manuela federica

Manuela developed an early interest in the relationship between shapes, colours, and visual harmony. Raised in an environment shaped by art and culture from around the world, design and creative inspiration became central influences in her life from a young age. 

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A formative experience came through her family’s connection with Hadj Moussa Ag Akhamouk, the late Amenokal of the Kel Ahaggar, who lived with the family in 1968 while collaborating with her father and mother on the book Touareg - Nomades du Sahara (Edition Mondo). This early exposure to different cultures and perspectives contributed to her belief that harmony and mutual understanding can connect people across backgrounds.

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Manuela Federica early years
Federica de Cesco, Familie

​"At the end of the day we're all the same.  And it is the Good in each one of us and what connects us, that interests me"​

Manuela with Hadj Moussa Ag Akhamouk (left), and with her mother Federica de Cesco and her Japanese Stepfather (right)

 

manuela federica

At the age of six, following her parents’ separation, Manuela grew up in Thun, Switzerland, with her father, stepmother, and siblings. Her father's family maintained longstanding relationships with artists, authors, and scientists, fostering a strong appreciation for intellectual and creative pursuits.

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From an early age, Manuela was drawn to people who pursued their work and ideas with dedication and conviction. She developed a deep respect for individuals driven by passion and purpose, qualities she came to associate with a meaningful life.

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At the age of 16, Manuela’s mother, the Swiss author Federica de Cesco, received a visit at their home on Lake Geneva from the Parisian Dominican priest Raymond Léopold Bruckberger. During the meeting, she showed her drawings of her daughter, which she had given her at one of the rare, but always inspiring reunions.​ 

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Impressed by the work, Bruckberger introduced the drawings to Leïla Menchari, the famous director of the Service décoratif at HERMES in Paris. Menchari sent two personal letters to Manuela in which she praised the balance and refinement of the designs and encouraged her to continue pursuing her artistic development.

"What interests me in your work is the balance of the composition and the finesse of the execution, along with, of course, the imagination and freshness. Keep finding joy in beauty despite external pressures, because that is what endures and fuels your pursuit of beauty"

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Leïla Menchari in letter to Manuela Federica (1981)

Work


Manuela Federica Krebser's work spans product design, textiles, porcelain, interiors, and luxury branding. In 1996, she founded the iSHONi Design Studio under the slogan “iSHONi - The World Reflected in Decorative Design”, and where she also deliberately offers corporate projects. The name “iSHONi,” which means “together” in Japanese, reflects her collaborative approach to design and her emphasis on involving clients throughout the creative process.

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Her work is characterized by a combination of artistic intuition, ornamentation, and technical understanding, with a focus on creating accessible and functional design solutions. Over the course of her career, she has worked across a broad range of industries, from everyday consumer products to luxury goods, hospitality, and high-end technology. In 2002, the Swiss television SRF published a portrait about her work (SRF / Schweiz Aktuell, 2002-10-25) .

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Manuela Federica collaborates with hotels including the Hotel Villa TreVille and the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne. In 2013, she was invited by Dimitrios Pandermalis to develop collections for the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

 

Her collaborations also include porcelain manufacturers Rosenthal Porcelain and Hutschenreuther, including the “NORA Christmas Service” collection and the "Rosenthal Aida Yule Dinner Service". Her porcelain work has been exhibited at the Ambiente, and several of her porcelain plates became part of the collection of the Musée Ariana.

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Between 2008 and 2012, Manuela Federica lived in New York City, where she designed the enclosure for the “1 Series” audio system developed by CH Precision, a manufacturer of ultra-high-end audio electronics.

The US government granted her a specific "genius visa" category based on her extraordinary artistic and commercial achievements in global luxury textile, porcelain, and industrial design.

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In 2011, she developed the historical Foulards Series "Les Merveilles du Monde” for Nestlé, inspired by Nestlé’s famous picture albums from the 1930s.

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In 2017, she created the metallic OMEGA boutique storefront "Moucharabieh" on Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris

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Her iSHONi rug collections were exhibited at international trade fairs, including Domotex in Germany and exhibitions in Atlanta, United States.

Manuela Federica also collaborated with mtm Munich and ABC Carpet & Home in New York on exclusive rug collections that were featured in publications including Interior Design Magazine, HALI, Modern Carpets, Home Textiles Today, and Textiles Interiors.

Manuela-Federica, iSHONi Design

manuela federica

"The connection between cultures and eras seems to be part of the beauty of the human experience that we all share over time"


manuela federica

Biography

Manuela Federica Krebser is a multidisciplinary Swiss designer, entrepreneur and creative director working across product, interior, and decorative design. Her work combines functional requirements with aesthetic and conceptual considerations, with attention to how users interact with designed objects.

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In 1996, she founded the iSHONi Design Office. The studio undertakes projects that combine artistic, ornamental, and technical aspects of design, depending on the requirements of each commission. Her commissions include work for clients in sectors such as hospitality and luxury goods, including hotels and brands such as OMEGA.​​​

 

​​​​Manuela completed a five-year training in art book design with Ted Scapa at Benteli Verlag in Bern. While still an apprentice, Manuela left her home in Thun at the early age of 17 and from then on supported herself financially.

From 1985 to 1988 she worked for Jean-Frey Group in Zurich.  

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After the birth of her son Moritz in 1988 and her subsequent divorce in 1991, she began an independent career in design. During this time, she worked with several companies, including Fabric Frontline. Therewith, she turned her passion into a profession, which allowed her to take on her financial responsibilities also for her son Moritz, and at the same time provide him with a happy and emotionally stable childhood.

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She currently lives near Lausanne with her partner.

"Her dedication to the Rug Design industry is bar none. Her design work is known worldwide, and she holds the highest respect among her peers. Her designs are repeatedly published in major, international trade publications like "Interior Design Magazine" and "Modern Carpets & Textiles". 
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​​​Paul Chapman, Vice Chairmen & President ABC Carpet & Home, New York

​​​Press Articles and Media​

 

Manuela Federica’s work focuses on the visual user experience and the way design objects are perceived and understood by the viewer. Her approach places emphasis on harmony, detail, craftsmanship, and the relationship between aesthetics and functionality. Her projects combine visual design with technical considerations and user-oriented solutions.

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Her work has received recognition from figures including Yoko Ono and has been featured in a range of media and design publications.

 

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  • Manuela Federica Krebser
  • Blog - Design by Manuela Federicaq
  • Interview with Manuela Federica

​iSHONi® - Design Studio

Rue de Lausanne 33C

1110 MORGES, Switzerland

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