Q&A with Aleksej Iskos // Mollis

Q&A with Aleksej Iskos // Mollis

In this exclusive interview, designer Aleksej Iskos shares the story behind the creation of Mollis. Drawing on his background in architecture and his fascination with everyday materials, he has crafted a lamp with Made by Hand that is both timeless and innovative. 

What was the inspiration behind the Mollis lamp, and was there a specific moment or observation that sparked the idea for its design?

"It was first and foremost the material that gave me the idea for Mollis lamp. After all, knitwear is used in clothing, so it felt logical to create a design where the lamp is "dressed up" with a knitted shade. It is this kind of everyday thoughts and observations that often inspire the new designs. Even the simplest aspects of everyday living, like getting dressed in the morning, can provide an aha moment."

- Aleksej Iskos

Mollis is 3D knitted in Austria, as well as Knit-wit lamp. What are the differences between Mollis and Knit-wit on the design wise and how the light appears?

"The construction principle of Mollis, where the lampshade is "pulled over" like a knitted sweater, is very simple compared to Knit-Wit, where the construction had to be rather complicated in order to achieve the desired shape. The two lamps also have very different functions – while Knit-Wit provides general lighting in the room, Mollis directs most of the light downwards, onto the work surface."


Mollis is described as timeless, almost like a cathedral dome, but knitted. How do you balance timelessness with modern design trends in your work?

"Knit is not a material that people are used to seeing on a lamp, but here it’s the protagonist of the story. Therefore, I wanted to stress the focus on the material, and not on some extravagant form. I chose an archetypal form for an atypical material. The form gives the lamp timelessness, while the material gives it modernity.

In addition to that, my first education was as an architect, so I have studied many buildings and have learned how beautiful a dome can be. It is a form that has been used for millennia, regardless of the style and trend of the time."

What do you hope people feel or experience when they see or use the Mollis lamp in their own spaces?

"As a designer, I try right from the start to imagine how the design will work in real settings in people’s homes, restaurants, boutiques et cetera. The hope was that the interaction between the light and the material would create an elegant and relaxed atmosphere in any room and I think Mollis succeeds in doing just that."

How does the knitted pattern in the knitted shade influence the overall look and feel of the lamp?

"Knitting allows you to work with many beautiful colours, as was the case with Knit-Wit. This wasn’t possible with Mollis, because coloured yarn also colours the light itself, while the light on the table must be as true to colour as possible. Well, when you can't use colours, you can work with patterns. The small holes in the knit, which follow the dome's meridians, emphasize the shape of the lamp and its architectural character. At the same time, they let the light through and give the lamp more transparency and visual lightness. That's the good thing about knitting - there are so many possibilities."

What role does sustainability play in the choice of materials and the minimalistic construction for Mollis lamp?

"Sustainability is not only about which materials you use, but also about how much material you employ. Despite Mollis’ size, very little material has been used in the lamp and the entire construction actually weighs less than the light source itself. Another aspect of sustainability is the longevity of the design. The shade on the lamp can be easily removed to be washed or replaced, and in this way the life of the lamp is extended."


Mollis directs most of the light downwards, but some light is diffused through the fabric. How does this affect the atmosphere of a room?

"Our eyes do not like sharp transitions between light and dark. The pupils constrict when we see strong light and dilate when we look into the dark. It is tiring and unpleasant for the eyes. By letting some of the light slip out through the textile, you blur out the contrast between light and dark and thus create a more pleasant atmosphere in the room. While it is functional, there is also beauty in the way the soft light peeks through the textile."

What kind of environments do you image Mollis being used in and how?

"With its timeless shape, Mollis is a kind of all-rounder that will fit well in most interiors, modern as well as classic, both in private and public spaces. But it’s not only a matter of form and expression. Mollis is a highly functional lamp that provides good and beautiful light, whether it is over the dining table or in the meeting room."

Mollis comes in two sizes. What was the reasoning behind offering these two specific sizes? 
"Tables come in all shapes and sizes. Therefore, it is also necessary for a pendant lamp to be available in different sizes to accommodate the various furnishing situations. The smaller size is made to fit over a table for two, a couple of lamps are good over a family dining table, the larger lamp is perfect over a large round table, and several of them can light a long conference table. Mollis can handle it all."


Why did you choose the LED technology for Mollis, and how does it enhance the design compared to a traditional E27 bulb?

"LED was the obvious choice for me. First of all, LED light sources are energy-saving and have a much longer and more sustainable lifespan. Quality LED also has better colour reproduction compared to many other light sources. But the specially developed LED module in Mollis lamp also has great aesthetic significance. By replacing the traditional light bulb in the middle with a light source mounted at the top, the large dome feels light and elegant and almost self-luminous. It's a bit magical that you can see through the lamp, it almost gives the illusion of the threads in the knit that somehow glowing by themselves."

- Aleksej Iskos

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