Apple's former design chief Jony Ive presents $4,800 lantern
In 2019, Jonathan Ive teamed up with Marc Newson to open a design studio called LoveFrom, leaving Apple after more than 20 years. Now, the designer shows what a modern sailing lantern can look like when price is only a secondary consideration. The lantern, which was developed in collaboration with Japanese electronics company Balmuda, draws on the design of classic sailing lanterns with a modern touch.
The lantern uses LEDs, but the design ensures that it loses none of the familiar warmth of a Fresnel lantern. The housing is made of stainless steel and so should be rust-proof, and the IP67 certification guarantees that the lantern can even survive drops into water. The stainless steel and glass housing is designed to be easily recycled at the end of its lifespan. Since repairs are easy to carry out, according to Balmuda, the lifespan should be relatively long.
The integrated battery is said to provide a runtime of up to 150 hours at the lowest brightness level, or four hours at the highest level. It charges via USB-C with approximately 8 watts. The lantern measures 11.4 x 11.4 x 17.5 centimeters and weighs 1.54 kilograms. Despite its high price, the LoveFrom Sailing Lantern is manufactured in China.
Price and availability
The LoveFrom Sailing Lantern will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units and can be pre-ordered via Balmuda. Delivery is expected to begin in March 2026. The lantern costs $4,800, plus shipping, import tax and customs duties.
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