MillerKnoll Launches in Egypt with Style Design

‘Herman Miller’ and ‘Knoll’, two of the most influential names in modernist furniture, joined forces almost five years ago under the name MillerKnoll. Today, Cairo-based design office Style Design is collaborating on the brand’s Egyptian debut, hosting a live exhibition at Founders Space as part of Cairo Design Week, offering an exclusive first look at these iconic designs in Egypt.

The exhibition presents a curated collection of vintage and contemporary pieces, highlighting the enduring appeal of modernist design. Each object demonstrates a design language that has remained relevant across decades, showing why these works continue to be considered classics. 

Among the highlights of the exhibition is the Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer, combining elegance with industrial flair. Its leather or fabric straps are integrated into a precision-bent tubular steel frame in chrome or powder-coated finishes. Designed in 1925, it remains a bold, recognisable statement in any office, lounge, or lobby. Nearby, the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames offer comfort and structure, with moulded timber and soft upholstery showcasing the Eameses’ mastery of ergonomics and material performance.

From Knoll, the Petal Coffee Table introduces a light, organic geometry inspired by Queen Anne’s Lace. Its segmented top expands and contracts independently, adding subtle elegance to outdoor or hospitality settings. Contemporary pieces by NaughtOne, including the Tun Side Table and Pippin Lounge Chair by Lucy Kurrein, bring colour, playfulness, and mobility.

Attendees experienced the exhibition through guided tours and a short art film by Karim El Hayawan, which explored Cairo’s streets, rooftops, and rhythms, showing worlds where global modernism blends effortlessly with Egyptian culture, emphasising how great design doesn’t just occupy space but becomes part of its rhythm and story. As Hisham Ghorab, the Co-founder and CEO of Style Design, described it, “The film showcases what MillerKnoll is about, what this collaboration creates, and explores the links and parallels between these timeless designs and Egypt.”

Within the event, a documentary explored how the coming together of Herman Miller and Knoll was almost inevitable. Stacy Stewart, MillerKnoll's Senior Regional Director, said: “Two fierce competitors whose relationship started decades ago in college. It gives me goosebumps watching this documentary, and now they have become this impressive entity that carries the core concepts of modernism.”

The evening also included a presentation on the value of designing office spaces titled “Design with Impact”. Bertie Van Wyk, Senior Strategist at MillerKnoll, highlighted: “Great spaces have power — an organization loses its creativity when it loses connection, and the talks highlighted the value and quality of the time employees spend together.”

Reflecting on his own journey with the brands, Ghorab shared an anecdote that feels almost prophetic: “Years ago, part of a project was handled by Knoll, but the client didn’t receive keys for some cabinets. We stepped in and replaced them with Herman Miller locks. At the time it was amusing, but looking back, it feels like a sign, bringing Herman Miller and Knoll together long before MillerKnoll existed.”

Ghorab often cites Charles Eames’ guiding principle as a core belief that moves Style Design: “Eventually everything connects—people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.” This philosophy resonates throughout the exhibition, reinforcing the idea that design is as much about relationships and dialogue as it is about objects.

Speaking during the evening, Ghorab reflected, “Tonight, it’s all about the celebration of design, culture, and a journey that started with us over 35 years ago when we began the business. We come together to honour a very valuable connection in the world of design. We look forward to the future with optimism, which is unknown, but what is more important is to reflect on the past and our journey.”

On-stage presentations and discussions further explored what the MillerKnoll merge means for the global design industry and for Cairo’s design community specifically. For the city’s design audience, the exhibition offers a first look at MillerKnoll in Egypt, with Style Design providing a local perspective on how these globally recognised designs connect with Cairo’s creative scene.