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Philippi History

Philippi brand history

Philippi German design history: steel, form and function since 1992

Born in Germany, designed for life. From two shops in Hamburg to more than 500 products in over 70 countries, here is how Philippi turned everyday objects into lasting design.

What is Philippi?

Philippi is a German design brand founded in 1992 by Jan Philippi in the Hamburg area, making stylish home accessories, gifts, travel and office products. It is known for clean, minimalist designs in stainless steel, glass, wood and leather, created by an in-house design team and respected designers, and sold in more than 70 countries.

Founded1992, Hamburg, Germany
FounderJan Philippi, chairman and head of design
HeadquartersHenstedt-Ulzburg, just outside Hamburg
TaglineBorn in Germany. Designed for Life.
In-house designFlip design team, founded 1992
Range500+ products: vases, bowls, candle holders, desk and travel items, fire pits, gifts
MaterialsStainless steel, aluminium, glass, wood, leather, iron, ceramic
ReachMore than 70 countries

Why can you trust Philippi when you buy design accessories?

A design brand should show its work: who designs, what it is made from and what others say. Philippi’s record can be checked on five points.

30+ years of owner-led design

Philippi is owner-operated and has been led by founder Jan Philippi since 1992. That continuity keeps a consistent, timeless style instead of chasing short-lived trends.

An in-house design team

Flip, Philippi’s own design team, has developed collections with Jan Philippi since 1992. It works with external designers such as Christian von Ahn, Joerg Langkop and Mario Taepper.

Independently awarded designs

The Cocoon bowl won the FORM Design Award in 2005, and the Cascara bowl won a Red Dot Award in 2014. Designer Peter Kroehl’s Loop for Philippi also won a Red Dot Award.

Durable, valuable materials

Philippi focuses on durability, combining stainless steel, aluminium, natural wood and leather so that the form and the material both last.

Open about where it is made

Philippi designs and develops in Germany. Founder Jan Philippi has said that once designs and prototypes are approved, the series are produced in partner factories in China and India. Country of origin varies by item, so read the label for the piece you choose.

Philippi design: form follows function, with a sense of humour

Philippi’s philosophy is that everyday objects should be both useful and beautiful. Its designs use reduced forms, high-quality materials and close attention to detail, and many pieces carry a touch of humour and originality.

The company often takes an everyday object, such as a bowl, a letter opener or a bottle opener, and gives it a new, chic design. Jan Philippi has said materiality is very important: the brand combines stainless steel, aluminium, natural wood and leather into pieces made to last.

The designer roster reflects that approach. Alongside the Flip team, collections have been shaped by Christian von Ahn, Joerg Langkop, Mario Taepper, Tassilo von Grolman, Andreas Ostwald and Peter Kroehl, among others.

Premium stainless steel and materials at Philippi

Stainless steel is Philippi’s signature material. It allows crisp, sharp silhouettes and mirror-polished surfaces, and it is hard-wearing and easy to care for. Many pieces are made of stainless steel or chrome-plated metal, from bowls and vases to fire pits and desk accessories.

Other materials add contrast. Glass brings transparency, natural wood adds warmth, leather gives a tactile finish, and aluminium, iron and ceramic appear where they suit the design. The brand chooses each to balance practical function with visual impact.

Finish matters as much as material. Mirror-polished steel reflects its surroundings, while matt and black (Noir) finishes soften the look. Polished surfaces show fingerprints, so wipe them with a soft cloth and follow the care advice on the product page.

Why Philippi is one of the most distinctive German design brands

Philippi earns its reputation through consistent, inventive design rather than a single hit. These are the ideas that define it.

A retailer who became a designer1992

Jan Philippi started by stocking two Hamburg shops with goods that matched his vision of modern, timeless design, inspired by design-led companies. That retail eye still shapes what Philippi makes.

Design independence from day oneFlip, 1992

The same year, Philippi founded Flip, its in-house design team, so that its design ethos develops in direct collaboration with craftsmanship and manufacturing.

Everyday objects, reinventedSignature approach

Bowls, letter openers, vases and bottle openers get a fresh, sculptural form. The PACO letter opener, a plain, sleek paper knife, has stayed in the range for about 25 years.

Sculptural bowls with awardsCocoon and Cascara

The Cocoon bowl won the FORM Design Award in 2005, and the Cascara bowl won a Red Dot Award in 2014, showing how mirror-polished steel can be shaped into sculptural objects.

Collaboration with outside designersPeter Kroehl, Langkop and others

Philippi works with designers from different disciplines, including Peter Kroehl, whose Loop design for Philippi took a Red Dot Award, and Joerg Langkop, whose studio has won national and international prizes.

From home to outdoors and officeRange breadth

More than 500 products cover living, gifts, travel and office items, plus fire pits, lanterns and Christmas decorations, so one design language runs through a whole lifestyle.

Philippi history timeline: key dates from 1992 to today

Three decades of German design, in order.

  1. Jan Philippi founds the company in Hamburg

    Jan Philippi stocks two Hamburg shops with modern design goods and launches the in-house design team Flip.

  2. Early years

    From Hamburg start-up to design manufacturer

    The company grows from a North German start-up into an owner-operated design manufacturer headquartered in Henstedt-Ulzburg, just outside Hamburg.

  3. About 25 years ago

    The PACO letter opener joins the range

    PACO becomes Philippi’s longest-serving product, still in the collection about 25 years later.

  4. Cocoon wins the FORM Design Award

    The Cocoon bowl receives the FORM Design Award, the first of many recognitions.

  5. Cascara wins a Red Dot Award

    The Cascara bowl is honoured with a Red Dot Award.

  6. Around 2018

    500+ products, 70+ countries

    After more than 25 years, the brand describes itself as internationally renowned, with over 500 products available worldwide.

  7. Showing at maison&objet

    Philippi is listed among the German exhibitors at maison&objet 2025 in Paris, presenting its stylish living accessories, gifts and office products.

Philippi design awards and recognition

Independent juries have recognised several Philippi designs. The table lists awards where the year is documented, and notes others without one.

Selected Philippi design awards
Year Product Award
2014 CASCARA bowl Red Dot Award
2005 COCOON bowl FORM Design Award
Year not stated LOOPDesigned by Peter Kroehl Red Dot Award
Year not stated SPHERE and FONTAINE Design awards reported by Philippi

Philippi product range: what you can buy

Philippi product categories
Category Examples Typical materials
Vases Loom, Margeaux, Omega, Lola Stainless steel, glass
Bowls Cocoon, Cascara Stainless steel, mirror-polished
Candle holders and lanterns Decorative table and outdoor pieces Steel, glass
Desk and office PACO letter opener, desk accessories Nickel, steel, leather
Table and kitchen Noir sushi set (9 pieces) Steel, ceramic, wood
Outdoor Fire pits and fire features Iron, steel
Gifts, travel and seasonal Bookmarks, key hangers, Christmas decorations Steel, leather, glass

How to buy Philippi with confidence

Philippi spans décor, gifts and office items. These checks help you choose well.

  • Choose the finish. Mirror-polished steel shows reflections and fingerprints, while matt and black finishes are more forgiving.
  • Check the material. Look for stainless steel, glass, wood or leather on the product page and match it to where you will use the piece.
  • Check food-contact suitability. For bowls and tableware, confirm the piece is suitable for food and read the washing advice.
  • Think about gifting. Items such as the PACO letter opener can be engraved or plain, which suits personal and executive gifts.
  • Check the country of origin. Philippi designs in Germany but produces in partner factories, so read the label for each item.
  • Read the care instructions. Wipe polished steel with a soft cloth and avoid abrasive cleaners.
  • Buy from authorised retailers. Philippi is sold in more than 70 countries, so use established stores or the official site.

Philippi frequently asked questions

What is Philippi?

Philippi is a German design brand founded in 1992 by Jan Philippi in the Hamburg area. It makes stylish home accessories, gifts, travel and office products, mostly in stainless steel and also in glass, wood, leather, iron and ceramic. Its designs are sold in more than 70 countries.

When and where was Philippi founded?

Jan Philippi founded the company in Hamburg, Germany, in 1992, starting by stocking two shops in Hamburg with modern design goods. That same year he founded the in-house design team Flip. The company is now an owner-operated design manufacturer headquartered in Henstedt-Ulzburg, just outside Hamburg.

Is Philippi a German brand?

Yes. Philippi is a German design brand from the Hamburg area, with the tagline Born in Germany, Designed for Life. Design, prototyping and approval take place in Germany, while founder Jan Philippi has said the series are produced in partner factories in China and India, so check the label for the origin of a specific item.

Where are Philippi products made?

According to an interview with founder Jan Philippi, once designs and prototypes are approved the series are produced in partner factories in China and India. Philippi designs its products in Germany, and country of origin can vary by item, so check the product page or label.

Is Philippi good quality?

Philippi is regarded as a premium design brand for home accessories. Its reputation rests on more than 30 years of design work, an in-house design team, durable materials such as stainless steel, glass, wood and leather, and design awards including the Red Dot and FORM Design Award. Finish and care needs vary by product.

What materials does Philippi use?

Philippi works mainly with stainless steel, including mirror-polished finishes, and also uses aluminium, glass, wood, leather, iron and ceramic. The brand says it focuses on durable materials and lasting design.

Who designs Philippi products?

Jan Philippi leads design with the in-house team Flip, founded in 1992, and works with external designers including Christian von Ahn, Joerg Langkop, Mario Taepper, Tassilo von Grolman, Andreas Ostwald and Peter Kroehl.

What are Philippi’s best-known products?

The PACO letter opener is a longtime bestseller and has been in the range for about 25 years. Other well-known pieces include the Cocoon and Cascara bowls, the Loom, Margeaux, Omega and Lola vases, fire pits and the Noir sushi set.

Which design awards has Philippi won?

The Cocoon bowl won the FORM Design Award in 2005, the Cascara bowl won a Red Dot Award in 2014, and designer Peter Kroehl’s Loop for Philippi won a Red Dot Award. Philippi also reports awards for its Sphere and Fontaine designs.

How do I care for mirror-polished stainless steel?

Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and dry it straight away to avoid marks and fingerprints. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh cleaners, and follow the care advice on the product page, especially for items that touch food.

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