Great Dane Contract has a vast product range from the Scandinavian brands we exclusively represent in Australia; many of which have never hit our shores before and are not available to our showrooms or online. With the new contract division of Great Dane we are now able to specify these products to the industry, which we believe suit the modern Australian life seamlessly.
Sarah Rupley
Head of National Contract Sales
Sarah first came across the Great Dane story in an article featured in the Australian Financial Review Luxury Magazine on the newly introduced Arne Vodder range back in March 2010. She was impressed with the fervour and enthusiasm Great Dane’s founder, Anton Assaad has for Danish design. Her interest was picqued and Sarah wanted to know more about the company and its products. After scrolling through the Great Dane website Sarah inscribed to stay updated with the company by becoming a fan on facebook.
Four years ago, Sarah’s passion for design led her to embark on a Certificate IV in Design with the International School of Colour & Design in Sydney. Within weeks of starting the course she knew she had found her next career objective and continued on to receive her diploma in Interior Styling from the school in 2009.
Sarah comes to Great Dane from a five-year career at RedBalloon, Australia & New Zealand’s leading experience gifts retailer. Sarah brings to Great Dane a dynamic enthusiasm for her new role and the product offering as well her ongoing passion for interior design.
Sarah’s education qualifications also include a Bachelor degree in Marketing from the A.B. Freeman Business School at Tulane University in New Orleans. After completing her educational studies, she pursued her interest in working aboard and set out for Australia and found the Sydney lifestyle ultimately synonymous with home.
Loving a challenge, Sarah is keen to see the success of the Great Dane Contract Division as her first foray into the interior design industry.
Anton Assaad
Raised in a family with a Grandfather who hand-crafted furniture inspired by mid-century design, it’s fair to say that our founder and Director, Anton Assaad, has classic Scandinavian design in his blood.
A committed and passionate devotee of its precision, simplicity, and aesthetic beauty, Anton’s love of mid-century, modern furniture transcends all that he does – and Great Dane proves testament to this.
Equipped with an eye for quality and powered by an exclusive, longstanding network of Scandinavian furniture dealers, suppliers, and craftsmen; Anton’s deep knowledge and penchant for classic Danish design embodies the very spirit of Great Dane and ensures our consistent quality and exclusivity.
Great Dane Contract story
Australia’s premier purveyor of Scandinavian design, Great Dane, has introduced a new element to its contemporary and classic furniture range with the Contract Division, specifically designed for architects, interior designers and specifiers.
Great Dane Contract offers a service that ensures industry professionals have access to the complete collections from Scandinavia’s most renowned lighting and furniture design houses, over and above than what can be viewed in the Great Dane stores.
Appealing to specifiers seeking to fit-out medium to large-scale projects or wanting unique stand out pieces, Great Dane Contract also suits the purchaser looking for a broader product range than is habitually offered in retail.
Over the past eight years, Great Dane’s founder, Anton Assaad, has developed strategic relationships with Scandinavia’s most established design brands, therefore can bring this unique offering to the Australian marketplace.
"It has been a great pleasure to watch the Scandinavian design trend continue in its strength in Australia to become a classic and at the same time, contemporary. To know that the products are appreciated by so many, we have responded by providing access to full product ranges.
"Australia’s design industry is a continuous evolution and for Great Dane to be a part of that is very exciting. What Great Dane has to offer is unique in Australia because we are exclusive suppliers for many of our brands," Anton said.
A selection of Scandinavia’s most renowned design brands including Fredericia, One Collection (Finn Juhl), &Tradition (Verner Panton), Erik Buch for Preben Schou, Arne Jacobsen, Moller are now available through Great Dane Contract.
A catalogue is available that contains a sneak peak at their range of furniture and lighting which can be specified. Head of the new Contract Division, Sarah Rupley, is delighted to be representing this new offering for Great Dane.
"This is such a unique service and very specialised. I’m lucky to be so close and involved in the Contract Division. To have access to so many beautiful pieces created by our great range of suppliers in fantastic!: she said.