In a world where brands are in fierce competition and face the pressure of branching into new areas, the role of independent design studios is becoming invaluable. In recent years, many pioneering CMF solutions you’ve seen may well have been led by Khalil Design, but you wouldn’t know that.
Indeed, this is a company that has not made a song and dance of its successes but there is a rich heritage behind the brand.
After a promising career in fashion under the tutelage of none other than Karl Lagerfeld, Pforzheim alumnus Claudia Khalil would go on to become an award-winning designer in the automotive sector. In 1986, Khalil Design was formed and pushed forward by Claudia, but for the last three years, leadership has been passed down to daughter and trained designer Lavinia Khalil.
Together, they have successfully shaped a wave of new colour and trim solutions. With a focus on quality and creativity, the company has developed materials that are both aesthetically pleasing and functionally superior, setting new standards and inspiring the entire sector.
By forging strategic partnerships with experts in the industry, Khalil is working hand-in-hand with innovative materials developers to create unique solutions and set the pace of the industry.
For example, the partnership between Khalil Design and Peter Lacke has been setting new colour trends and creating customised paint collections. The team has a unique focus on individual colour concepts that are future-oriented and at the same time meet the highest quality and sustainability standards.
Elsewhere, Herz Ätztechnik is a cutting-edge metal etching firm that specialises in advanced laser-etching technology. This partnership is enabling Khalil to redefine luxury in the automotive industry, developing innovative collections tailored to individual OEMs.
And the partnership with NABORE® represents a significant step towards the studio‘s sustainability goals. By integrating the supplier‘s upcycling technology, customers can access eco-friendly solutions that align with their values.
Now, the company is expanding, with a new studio set to open in Baden Baden focussed on supporting clients in the luxury sector. Khalil is no stranger to this space, having worked on multiple projects for the likes of Maybach, Genesis and BMW among others.
In recent years, the company has been hosting its own design shows – branded ‘Design Week’ and held in different locations – to bring the community together. Here, elite designers gather to see the latest global trends in colour and materials, connecting OEMs and suppliers in the process.
With design “embedded in her genes” since an early age, Lavinia Khalil has also made a conscious effort to give back and help young designers with similar aspirations into the industry. The design competition run by Khalil not only puts promising students on the map but also rewards universities that put forward the most innovative submissions.
Moving forward, Lavinia Khalil aims to continue the focus on innovation and quality set by her predecessor, but with the unique influence of her studies in Interaction Design.
“This was pivotal,” Khalil says, “enabling me to bridge the gap between the material world and the digital realm to develop innovative solutions, and to blend my creative vision with technological advancements.”
And crucially, the company has been strengthening its position in 3D modeling alongside its established expertise in trend forecasting and material development. The company has earned a reputation for consistently inspiring suppliers and OEMs.
“No challenge is insurmountable,” concludes Lavinia Khalil. ”By blending expertise with visionary thinking, we are setting benchmarks and actively shaping the future of the design industry.
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