Tom was a well-loved member of the local design community, and his recent passing following a year-long battle with cancer has highlighted the persistence, courageousness and vigour for which he was renowned.

Having moved with his family to Australia from Hungary, Tom grew up in Sydney, where he launched Nique Enterprises P/L (now know as Classique) in 1974.

Involved in every part of the business, Tom quickly cultivated a strong team around him; as managing director of Classique he developed a portfolio of stand-out brands, distributed exclusively by Classique to the Australian market.

These include Matteograssi, Pierantonio Bonacina, xO by Starck, EGO Paris, Classique Outdoor and more.

Leading the family business through 3 economic downturns and also 2 fires at the business headquarters, Tom was persistent in overcoming the harshest of challenges and exceeding these to achieve new goals.

Among friends, family, staff and the design community he was well liked for his honest and down-to-earth personality, and it is with great fondness that we remember Tom as an always affable and sincere friend and colleague.

Image courtesty of the Bihari family

Read more: https://www.indesignlive.com/articles/Remembering-Tom-Bihari#ixzz2IZoEBIam