FURNITURE & DESIGN BRIEF
Thomas to be honored as design icon
Roger Thomas of Wynn Design and Development will be honored as a design icon by World Market Center Las Vegas during the winter market in February.
Through the Design Icon Lecture series, design legends share their stories and experiences in order to inspire future designers.
Robert Maricich, president and chief executive officer of World Market Center Las Vegas, said Thomas is an ideal choice for the design icon honor. "Roger is an outstanding and inspirational individual. We admire his talent and his generosity in sharing his expertise and resources with the design community. We established the design icon program to motivate and inspire future leaders. Roger Thomas is a singular and unique individual in the world of design and we are honored to present him with this award. His stellar talents in both hospitality design and home furnishings design are truly unmatched."
Previous honorees were Vladmir Kagan and Larry Laslo.
Thomas created the interiors of Wynn Las Vegas and most recently led the interior design of Wynn Macau, which opened in September 2006. Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, opened Dec. 22, 2008, along with Wynn Diamond Macau, which will open in January 2010, also bear his stamp.
Thomas designed the interiors of other Wynn properties including the Golden Nugget hotels in Las Vegas and Laughlin and The Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio on the Strip.
Honors are nothing to Thomas, whose career spans nearly 40 years. Elected to the Hospitality Design Platinum Circle in 2005, Thomas received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality. In 2007, he was listed in Architectural Digest's AD 100.
The Roger Thomas Collection was inaugurated in 2006 with signature designs for APF Munn Master Framemakers. The collection was expanded in 2007 with furniture for Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman and designs for The Natural Carpet Co. and in 2008 with green sustainable lighting for Niedermaier and outdoor furnishings for Veneman.
He also is an avid supporter of the arts, having served on the boards of several museums, and has taken an active role in the art architecture of the city, county and state.
Thomas is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the School of the Museum of Fine Art in Boston. He received a bachelor's degree in art history from Tufts University. His work has been published in leading journals, including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Interiors and Hospitality Design.
The winter Las Vegas Market is scheduled for Feb. 9-13 at World Market Center Las Vegas.
