LoveFrom and Japanese company Balmuda have unveiled the Sailing Lantern, a limited-edition portable light that marries maritime inspiration with modern precision. Presented in Tokyo in late September, the collaboration marks the first creative partnership between Sir Jony Ive’s design collective and Balmuda, known for its minimalist, technology-driven approach.
Sailing Lantern: a light born from the sea
The idea for the Sailing Lantern grew from Ive’s lifelong passion for sailing. He sought a lantern that could withstand the demanding conditions at sea, combining resilience with elegance. When such an object did not exist, the collaboration with Balmuda became the opportunity to bring it to life. The resulting modern lantern is both functional and poetic, reflecting the elemental experience of light on water.
A modern lantern with precision and poise
The Sailing Lantern is crafted with meticulous detail. Encased in a precision-machined stainless steel frame, its polished, textured glass conceals a dual-LED system that replicates the warmth and shift of a flame. A flower-shaped dial allows smooth adjustment from a reddish glow to a cool white light, creating an experience close to natural fire. Durable materials, including a corrosion-resistant lanyard and marine-grade steel, ensure the lantern is as robust as it is beautiful.
Collaboration at the core
For Ive, the collaboration with Balmuda was as meaningful as the final object. He has long admired the Japanese brand’s ability to blend functionality with honesty in design. Balmuda’s engineers, in turn, described the project as both a challenge and a privilege, pushing them to new levels of precision and refinement.
Limited edition craft
Available in a run of just 1,000 pieces, the Sailing Lantern is designed not as a fragile collectible, but as a tool made to be used and marked by time. Ive has emphasized that its beauty will only grow with wear, much like the vessels and voyages that inspired it.
The Sailing Lantern stands as a tribute to craftsmanship, friendship, and the enduring dialogue between tradition and innovation—a modern lantern designed to endure the sea yet belong anywhere light and presence are needed.
Images and videos courtesy of BALMUDA x LOVEFROM
