Isamaya Ffrench Unveils Studio Iron, a Radical New Art and Design Hub
British makeup artist and designer Isamaya Ffrench has launched Studio Iron, a new gallery and concept store. The space will serve as a platform for artists to experiment with interior design, furniture, and decorative objects. Ffrench also plans to expand into film production in Mongolia later this year. Studio Iron takes its name from Isamaya, a medieval Germanic term meaning 'iron strength'. The project reflects Ffrench’s ambition to push the boundaries of conventional interior art. She aims to create a space where artists can explore work that exists in the 'liminal space between art and function and design'.
The first pop-up exhibition opened at Saatchi Yates and runs until June 7, 2026. It will then move to The Painting Rooms in Soho later in June. The show features 62 pieces, including *Untitled (Wolf)*, 2026 by Benjamin Kustow and *Hug Bed, 2026* by Kouros Maghsoudi. Ffrench personally selected the artists, blending emerging talents with established names. Beyond exhibitions, Ffrench wants to establish a creative agency to recruit new designers. She encourages artists to produce works that may defy explanation but still resonate with audiences. The studio will also expand its homeware and object design range in the coming months.
Studio Iron marks Ffrench’s shift from makeup artistry to a broader creative vision. The gallery and concept store will host experimental works while expanding into film and design. The first exhibition remains open at Saatchi Yates until early June before relocating to Soho.
