The 'Hercules' coat hanger is one of three products designed by Marc Newson for the renowned Italian manufacturer, Magis. The group represents Newson's first major collaboration with a manufacturer on a project for mass-producable homewares and has been widely popular internationally since being launched in 1998. As with Newson's furniture, the design of the 'Hercules'is highly innovative with the typically Newson curved form, bright colourways and quirky detail. The coathanger is an important example of Newson's product design and has broad potential in an exhibition context to communicate much about the designer's remarkable creativity as well as the versatility of plastics technology.

Designed by Marc Newson in 1997. Since graduating in sculpture and jewellery from Sydney College of the Arts in 1984 the trajectory of Marc Newson's design career has been remarkable. At just 37 he has had a prolific international practice working from studios in Sydney, Tokyo, Paris and since 1997, London. A highly versatile and consistently experimental designer, Newson's work ranges from furniture and homewares, to interiors and watches, to a car and a bicycle.

Comfortable in experimenting with a broad range of technologies and materials - aluminium, steel, plastic, wood, wicker, fibreglass - Newson's distinctive, curvilinear forms reflect a consistent personal aesthetic drawn from sources as diverse as 1960s design, wave forms, 'sci-fi' and quantum physics.

Manufactured by the well-known Italian company Magis since 1998.

Formed in the mid-1970s, Magis has a history of collaborating with innovative designers throughout the world to produce an extensive range of homewares using the latest production technologies, specifically plastics.

The 'Hercules'was designed in 1997 and has been in production since 1998.

Coat hanger, 'Hercules', polypropylene, designed by Marc Newson, manufactured by Magis, England / Italy, 1997-1998

Coat hanger of orange air-moulded polypropylene with trouser bar. The coat hanger has non-slip pads on the shoulders. The designer and maker's marks are moulded into the front of the hanger, below the hook.

The coat hanger is packaged in a white cardboard box with brown illustrations and text. The front panel features an illustration of the Hercules coat hanger with trouser bar and the back panel features an illustration of the Hercules coat hanger without a trouser bar. The top panel features the designer's mark and the side panels feature product information and maker's details.

Designed: Newson, Marc; London, England; 1997

Made: Magis; Italy; 1997 - 1998

See part records for marks

2001/56/3

1997