Rohan Blacker, Founder of Pooky, on a decade of lighting up the design industry with an autodidactic approach and a whole heap of fun!
Tell us about your design background and the history of the brand.
I have no formal design background at all, no training, no letters after my name, which I believe contributes to Pooky’s success. We don’t have a rule book that says you can’t do this and you can’t do that, we fly by instinct. It’s much more fun that way – of course, we make mistakes, we’ve made some howlers over the years – but we also chance upon some wonderful ideas and designs.
Pooky is now ten years old, and it grew out of my previous business: sofa.com. I had wanted to launch a lighting brand for years, but it was unrealistic to offer lights within the sofa.com umbrella, for obvious reasons. I wanted to create a dedicated specialist in the lighting arena – and so Pooky was born.
What does Pooky represent as a design company?
The lovely thing about decorative lighting is that it’s one of the physically smaller items in any design. Sofas, rugs, curtains and tables all take up more space, but with lights you can be brave and you can experiment with a pop of colour. And that’s what Pooky represents – the ability to have a bit of fun – to stretch the boundaries a little, without going overboard. All, of course, in the timeless words of Kenny Everett: ”in the best possible taste”.
What has been Pooky’s most successful milestone to date?
One of the standout moments this year has been the launch of largest collection of out rechargeable lighting in 2024, which has truly changed the way we light our homes. The development of our rechargeable cell technology is allowing people to embrace a much more flexible, energy-efficient approach to home lighting – no more being confined by wires or socket placements, and no more bulky, heavy lamp bases. It’s empowering our customers to light their spaces in ways that work for them, without compromising on style or convenience.
Another major milestone has been us launching in the US, which has been a significant step in expanding our global presence. It has presented whole new set of challenges and opportunities, and seeing Pooky’s unique approach to lighting resonate with American customers has been a real achievement. It’s given us a fantastic platform to grow and reach even more people with our designs, making our playful lighting more accessible across the world.
What is the biggest challenge for Pooky in the global lighting design industry?
Many countries use different electrical networks and currents – what we sell in the UK is unsellable in the USA, and vice versa. This means that if we wish to launch in the States, we need to produce an entirely new range of stock. It’s effectively like setting up a whole new business, with it’s own range of regulations and compliance issues. I am very jealous of those businesses that sell shirts, for example, where they need to make precisely no alterations when selling in different territories.
How do you tackle issues surrounding sustainability in the interior design industry in your own studio and processes?
Our biggest issue has been to banish all plastic and polystyrenes from our packaging. This has been a long project and we are very nearly there – it will be a big “high five” moment.
What does the company aspire to look like in 20 years time?
The most recognised and respected lighting brand in the world, which has a positive impact on the planet.
www.pooky.com | IG: @pookylights
