Melbourne Design Week 2026 brought some of the city’s most compelling designs into focus, and the Made by Tait opening was one of the standout moments of the week. I was commissioned to photograph the launch of LUSTRE, Made by Tait’s newest collection, held at their Smith Street showroom in Fitzroy, one of Melbourne’s most considered retail and design spaces.

Made by Tait is an Australian furniture and design company with a reputation built over two decades of making pieces that hold up in both residential and commercial contexts. The opening allowed guests to experience the collection in its intended environment, with the space styled to reflect the tonal and textural qualities of the range.

The LUSTRE launch photography brief

The photography brief was to document the space in the beautiful morning light, before guests arrived, the energy of the room as it filled, and the moments between conversations where the furniture could speak for itself. PR was handled by The Project Agency, which coordinated the event and guest experience. The combination of ambient showroom lighting and the reflective surfaces of the LUSTRE pieces made for technically demanding but visually rewarding conditions to photograph in.

Event photography at this level isn’t just about capturing people in a room. It’s about understanding what the brand is communicating and making sure the images serve that story, for press, for social media channels, for the client’s archive and future marketing. The images from this shoot have been used across Made by Tait’s channels and media coverage of Melbourne Design Week 2026.

About Melbourne Design Week

Melbourne Design Week  is Australia’s largest design event, presented annually by the National Gallery of Victoria. The 2026 program brought together architects, designers, makers, and brands across exhibitions, talks, and activations throughout the city. Events like the Made by Tait LUSTRE launch sit at the heart of what Design Week does best, bringing design out of catalogues and into lived, social spaces where people can engage with it directly.

About Made by Tait

Made by Tait was founded in Melbourne and has built a loyal following among interior designers, architects, and commercial specifiers. Their pieces appear in hospitality, workplace, and residential projects across Australia and internationally. The LUSTRE collection continues its focus on furniture that rewards close attention — pieces that look different depending on the light, the angle, and the room they’re in.

About Dijana Risteska

Photographing brand events, product launches, and design industry activations across Melbourne. If you’re looking for an event photographer who understands luxury brands and PR timelines, get in touch

Client – @madebytait
PR – @theprojectagency