Michael Shannon is a creative director and designer whose multi-faceted career spans fashion, craft and design. Once called a “designer to watch” by Vogue Magazine, Michael has been developing products for recognized global brands in both premium and mainstream markets for over 20 years. His unique hands-on approach drives the creative, conceptual, and material components of projects while building strong relationships with his team and manufacturers.

Most recently, as Head of Home Design for Graf Lantz, Michael focused on developing new categories from concept to technicals and launched several unique and sustainable products for the founder-led, Los Angeles based brand. Prior to that, Michael co-founded  the luxury tea brand Bellocq Tea Atelier where for over a decade he developed the brand image and product design, handled sourcing, guided wholesale business growth, led online commerce, and oversaw operations management. He also launched Belllocq's Kings Road store in London and their flagship Greenpoint, Brooklyn location. Under Michael's direction Bellocq became a globally recognized premium tea brand known for the exceptional quality of its award-winning and distinctive teas, candles, and accessories. Michael's Bellocq products have won many industry accolades and have twice landed on "Oprah's Favorite Things".

Michael honed a comprehensive and dynamic skill set at Martha Stewart, where he focused on concept development, product design, sourcing, and factory relations for their home hardgoods categories. Working directly with Martha to create products for the high end catalog Martha by Mail and later as head designer in the company’s mass market division Martha Stewart Everyday Garden for Kmart . His work helped drive annual sales from $5 million to $60 million in just four years. He then joined Anthropologie as a tabletop and hardgoods designer, where he led sourcing and factory relations, developed new concepts and collections and managed/spearheaded antique buying for the brick-and-mortar stores. He has worked with many renowned retail and hospitality partners including Tiffany, Zara, Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar Restaurant, Massimo Dutti, Bergdorf Goodman, Fred Segal Los Angeles, Kmart and more.  

With a diverse and eclectic background working across creative disciplines and a wide array of individual projects, from creating floral designs for the Sophia Coppola film Maria Antoinette to his work in gun violence prevention as a podcast contributor, event coordinator and director of merchandise for the nonprofit organization Gays Against Guns , Michael has led the design of hardware, lighting, furniture, housewares and brand building, all with a broad, curious, and passionate skill set that includes couture, tailoring, horticulture, gardening, fine jewelry making, flower design, blacksmithing and more. Michael is a graduate of The School of Fashion Design in Boston and Studio Bercot Paris. He lives in New York City.