# Apparatus Celebrates Life's Cycles in Afsaneh Collection New York design studio Apparatus explores life's stages through a narrative-driven furniture collection. - **Source:** [Hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/be3a8d74-21b3-4122-a50a-98e5ec902870 ## Return to Creative Roots New York design studio Apparatus has launched Act V, titled Afsaneh, marking their first major collection in five years. Artistic director Gabriel Hendifar designed the 27-piece series, which includes lighting, furniture, and various objects. The collection is deeply personal, named after Hendifar’s mother and inspired by the cyclical nature of human existence. ## Narrative Through Persian Lore The collection is structured around four distinct sections, each bearing a Persian name to convey specific stages of life. Esfand represents the seed and fertility, while Gol symbolizes the bloom. Rahvi depicts the serpent as a storyteller, and Jahaan signifies the world, serving as a final gathering place for sharing knowledge and food. ## Material Innovation and Techniques Apparatus continues its signature use of brass, bronze, and glass while introducing new manufacturing methods. The Rahvi series features water-formed brass, a process where liquid is forced through metal to create complex, organic shapes. These pieces are further accented with seven semi-precious stones, including tiger’s eye, black onyx, and lapis lazuli. ## Symbolism in Design Details The Esfand series utilizes rounded sconces and vessels designed for burning incense, referencing traditional practices of warding off the evil eye. Meanwhile, the Gol pendants use moulded fibreglass to create delicate, petal-like structures around cast-glass seeds. These designs aim to protect the central element while simultaneously drawing the viewer’s attention to beauty. ## Expanding Beyond Physical Objects Afsaneh functions as a multi-sensory experience rather than a standard furniture release. The studio collaborated with the Martha Graham Dance Company, which is celebrating its centenary, to produce five short films. Additionally, the collection features a namesake fragrance containing notes of damask rose, oud, and frankincense to complement the physical design narrative. ## Global Exhibition Strategy The collection premiered in New York this October before moving to the studio’s London showroom on Mount Street. Future plans include exhibitions in Miami and Los Angeles scheduled for February 2027. The Miami event will coincide with the official opening of a brand new Apparatus showroom, expanding the studio’s physical presence in North America. ## Philosophical Design Approach Hendifar’s work often centers on storytelling, with Afsaneh exploring the tension between creation and destruction. By observing the turbulent nature of modern life, the studio seeks to find rhythm within these inevitable cycles. This conceptual depth distinguishes the collection, moving it beyond mere utility into the realm of artistic and cultural commentary. ## Evolution of Studio Practice The inclusion of the serpent motif in the Rahvi series represents the most figurative design direction in the studio's history. By combining ancient cultural references with modern industrial techniques like water-forming, Apparatus demonstrates a shift toward more complex, narrative-heavy furniture design that challenges the traditional boundaries of luxury home decor and functional art. ## Sources covering this story - https://hypebeast.com/2026/11/apparatus-act-v-new-collection-afsaneh — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._