Lalique, the iconic French crystal house opens its first art gallery in the world in historic and prestigious Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London.
The Lalique Art Gallery will feature Lalique Art collections including those with Damien Hirst, Zaha Hadid, Terry Rodgers, Han Meilin and Nic Fiddian-Green.
The James Turrell x Lalique collaboration – two limited edition perfume bottles, Range Rider and Purple Sage and limited-edition panels, named Crystal Light – will be exhibited for the first time in the UK from May 17th, together with an exclusive new limited-edition piece by the artist which will be unveiled that day.
From September 2023, the gallery will showcase a new collection in collaboration with the Magritte Foundation in which the work of René Magritte is captured in six crystal sculptures in this, the year that marks the 125th anniversary of the artist’s birth.
Situated in Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade, it will be the fourth retail space for the house in London joining its other boutiques in Burlington Arcade, Conduit Street and Harrods.
Lalique Art was founded in 2011 with the launch of La Victoire de Samothrace in collaboration with the Yves Klein Archives. Since then, it has worked with some of the world’s finest artists and architects, including Anish Kapoor, Arik Levy and Mario Botta.
In the creation process of the art pieces, Lalique and its artist collaborators work hand in hand. The artists work closely with the artisans at Lalique’s sole factory in Alsace and with the Paris creative team headed by Lalique artistic and creative director, Marc Larminaux. Founded in 1888, Lalique has a history of artistic tradition and collaboration and celebrated 100 years of its factory in Alsace last year.
Frederick Fischer, UK managing director said, “We are delighted Lalique has chosen London to launch its first Art Gallery – the only space dedicated solely to Lalique Art and the first in the world of its kind. It is a space we can focus on Lalique Art in all its forms, creating custom curations that will be complementary to our boutiques that specialize in Lalique decorative items, furniture, jewellery and perfumes.”
Burlington Arcade’s Head Beadle Mark Lord commented: “We are honored to have been the home of Lalique’s UK boutique for six years, and we are excited to welcome Lalique’s first Art Gallery in the world to our historic retail destination. We look forward to continuing to be a part of the Maison’s history.”
In addition to three London boutiques, Lalique has two other UK boutiques - at Bicester Village and in the heart of The Glenturret Whisky Distillery in Scotland, which is also home to The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, awarded a Michelin star just seven months after opening in July 2021.
About Lalique
Founded in 1888 by renowned and avant-garde artist René Lalique, Lalique is one of the crown jewels of France’s crystal glass houses. Lalique is a symbol of unique know-how and craftmanship, a lifestyle luxury brand with an immediately recognizable style. Lalique enriches our everyday lives, bringing artistic style to singular creations in six areas: decorative items, interior design, perfumes, jewellery, works of art and hospitality.
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Lalique has unveiled a new collaboration with American artist James Turrell who is famed for working with light and space to create artworks that engage viewers with the limits and wonder of human perception.
It is the first time the celebrated light artist has worked on small scale pieces. This unique coming together of two ‘artists of light’ is the result of over four years of close collaboration. It comes at a time when Lalique celebrates its Alsatian factory’s 100-year Anniversary. The collaboration, which consists of 42 crystal light panels and two perfume bottles, each in a limited edition of 100, was presented at Paris+ par Art Basel on 20-23 October 2022. It is the first time Lalique Art was an official partner of the world-renowned art fair.
James Turrell began the collaboration by designing the two perfume bottles. Fascinated by Egypt and the stupa shapes found in Asia, Turrell used their architectural structure, monuments of high spiritual value in which light plays an essential role, as inspiration.
Combining artistic and olfactory sensibilities, the two flacons Range Rider and Purple Sage are inspired by Zane Grey’s ‘Riders of the Purple Sage’ and the artist’s desire to recreate the beauty of the American West. The striking result: prisms that diffuse and diffract the light. Entirely handmade, the design presented a major challenge for the Lalique artisans – obtaining crystal of a uniform thickness, to ensure the correct density of colour and homogeneity.
Working closely with Lalique’s perfumers, the collaboration also sees the first scent ever co-created by an artist for Lalique. A first scent, Range Rider, captures the natural fragrances of the artist’s land, Arizona, including sage-scratched leather chaps, pepper, amber, and citrus. It is an olfactory architecture that speaks of sun-drenched Western ranching.
A second scent, Purple Sage, named after this delicate, queen of plants that blooms in Arizona, offers a different interpretation of Turrell’s relationship with the American West, undulating between delicacy and strength. The bottle, with its soft curves, is a tribute to the eternal feminine form. The perfume has a delicately fruity, musky scent, revealing notes of purple sage, mandarin, grapefruit, and rhubarb.
The 42 light panels, named Crystal Light, are inspired by an image of James Turrell’s Aten Reign installation, exhibited at the Guggenheim in 2013. Originally planned in colours, the panel was finally produced in clear crystal. The rippling colours were then produced using a screen placed behind the work. The design offers a hypnotic visual effect between the third and second dimension – similar to a trompe l’oeil, with intriguing depth.
The collaboration was first born from a meeting between the artist and Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique, “I immediately thought there should be a collaboration between Lalique and James Turrell – the light artist. It makes perfect sense when you recall that René Lalique was known as the ‘sculptor of light’.”
“This is a profound artistic adventure whose result expresses a rare elegance and modernity. A seemingly impossible challenge. I am both proud and very happy that this great name is joining the prestigious circle of Lalique’s contributing artists.”
James Turrell added, “The nature of my work is the shaping of light. Light is the material; perception is the medium. I knew of René Lalique, but I didn’t know the extent of his creativity. At the Lalique factory, when I watched the master artisans, I was fascinated by their technical virtuosity. They are truly artists.”
“This is the first time I have designed perfumes and made crystal pieces. The olfactory sense elicits memory more so than any other sense and it was with Lalique and the perfumers, that I was able to do this. Creating a perfume is a bit like creating a world you have known.
“Like René Lalique, I seek light and will continue to seek it.”
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Since 1922, Lalique’s creations have been produced in Wingen-sur-Moder, in the heart of the Northern Vosges, in a lush green setting beside a village of some 1600 souls. It is here that the glittering material crystallizes in a continuous ballet of fire that has been orchestrated by generations of expert hands.
René Lalique’s glassworks in Wingen became known as the "Verrerie d’Alsace" (V.D.A). His dream was to bring beauty into the home. He therefore chose to manufacture "utility glassware": dinner services, plates, bowls, etc. in series, but always to a high standard of quality, an attribute that was already part of the company’s signature style.
After a difficult period during the Second World War and the Liberation, when the glassworks was destroyed, the company took a new direction on the initiative of René’s son, Marc, with a focus on crystal and an approach inspired by a combination of innovation and tradition.
Although the factory has been constantly modernized over the years, the artisans’ techniques have remained unchanged: material is worked by hand, it is moulded, the molten crystal is "gathered" like honey, and pressed or blown. Once cooled, it is cut, sanded and polished. This is the Lalique artisans’ trademark: the famous satin-polished finish of the crystal, which generates an effect that combines light and shadow.
In 2022, Lalique crystal is sparkling in all areas, from decorative objects to interior design, perfumery, art, jewellry and the hotel and restaurant industry.
To celebrate its centenary in style, in March the Wingen-sur-Moder factory has produced an exceptional bottle containing a new Lalique fragrance, and a beautiful spirit decanter.
The bottles will be exceptional because of the number produced, with only ten signed and numbered pieces throughout the world. The Fusion flacon is also exceptional on account of its extreme virtuosity. In a centenary year which honours their craft, Lalique’s master glassmakers have pushed their expertise to its absolute limits. “Parison” is the name given by master glassmakers to the glob of glowing material they pick up with a blowpipe from a fountain of molten crystal. The Lalique Design Studio, under the direction of Marc Larminaux, worked in close collaboration with the master glassmakers to create this tribute to their expertise.
The parison bottle is elongated by a slender black satin-polished crystal stopper, evoking the blowpipe used in workshops. A clear crystal frieze recalls a mailloche, the curved piece of wood used to give the crystal a round shape.
This decorative element contains a delicate fern motif, a plant favoured by René Lalique in his designs, and a reference to the manufacture of crystal: distilled fern ashes are used to obtain potash. Potash is essential to glassmakers as it is used not only to lower the melting temperature of the crystal, but also to give it density, sonority and brilliance. In a graphic and poetic style, the fern has a polished satin finish – a signature of the Lalique crystal workshop – on a clear crystal background. The production process for this extraordinary bottle began in the hot-glass workshop, and involved seven people, the largest team ever to work on a single piece. One particularly challenging aspect was the precise coordination necessary between the artisans, as the bottle is made up of two parts: the “parison” in amber crystal and the mailloche in clear crystal.
In the cold-glass workshop, no less than 11 artisans worked to achieve perfection. The cutting and sanding operations were entrusted to one master glassmaker. A second, specialized in polishing, worked on creating the contrast between transparency and the satin finish. Each stopper was then polished and ground by a third pair of hands.
It was a considerable challenge to create ten copies of the Fusion flacon. Not least because the crystal had to be worked in different colours – clear, black and amber – all with different physical and chemical properties, making the piece extremely fragile to handle at each stage of production.
As a tribute to the history of Lalique and to mark the centenary of its Alsace factory, an original design was chosen from the company archives for a white glass decanter produced in 1922, the year in which the first furnace in René Lalique’s glassworks was lit. In 2022, one hundred years after its first edition, the Water drop decanter has been recreated in satin-polished crystal, the signature Lalique style that reflects the artisans’ unique expertise.
Designed to highlight the colour and aromas of the finest spirits, the Water drop decanter is an exceptional object that will enrich the company’s collections. The first challenge for the five Lalique artisans working together on the piece in the factory’s hot-glass workshop was to “gather” the right quantity of crystal: the decanter has a very thin neck and the drops that cascade down the sides have to be uniform. Precision and meticulous care are required during the preforming of the material, which is then blown into a steel mould.
When the piece had cooled, the artisans in Lalique’s cold-glass workshops began by cutting the decanter’s neck – another delicate technical step, as the diameter of the opening must accommodate the perpendicular stopper perfectly. The latter is formed in a steel mould into which the glassmakers press the crystal. The lightly fluted sides rise to a peak eight centimetres high. After a quick series of cuts to remove any last creases or imperfections created during the firing of the crystal, the virtuosity of Lalique’s artisans can be exercised. The Water drop decanter is entirely satin-finished, with subtle gradations in the droplets, which are polished in stages.
The realism is striking: the depth of the crystal plays with the light, and the droplets come to life. In a final display of dexterity, after three hours of cold work on this anniversary decanter, the Lalique signature and the edition number are engraved by hand on the underside.
Thanks to the play of light, the drops of water that trickle down the carafe seem both ephemeral and eternal, in an elegant design full of delicate contrasts. This collector’s model was given new life with a demonstration of the Wingen-sur-Moder artisans’ precious expertise.
Lalique is a French glassmaker, founded by renowned glassmaker and jeweller René Lalique in 1888. Lalique is best known for producing glass art, including perfume bottles, vases, and hood ornaments during the early twentieth century.
Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique SA: "Our collaboration with Zaha Hadid began a little more than two years ago with the creation of the Visio and Manifesto vases, two outstanding works of art which marked the inception of the Crystal Architecture collection. This collection was born of a passion for beauty, a quest for excellence, and the will to combine the expertise of our master-glassmakers with the creativity and rare talent of an architect and designer of world renown.
Today we are proud to present the latest addition to the collection: the Fontana bowl, a superb piece with the fluid and mineral lines, the sense of constant movement, that are so expressive of the style of Zaha Hadid and enhanced by the contrasting satin and polished finishes characteristic of Lalique. The thought of Zaha Hadid designing this project is a particularly moving one for me, and I would like to pay homage to her memory.
She was a pioneering figure in the world of architecture, the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The death of Dame Zaha Hadid on 31 March 2016 was a cause of immense sadness. Regarded as one of the great architects of her day, she created works that shaped and transformed spaces and landscapes the world over. Zaha Hadid and her architectural heritage will continue to inspire generations to come. Lalique is truly honoured to have had the opportunity to work with this outstanding artist."
Fontana expresses the powerful dynamism of water. Informed by the continuity and rhythms of waves in motion, delicate undulations envelop the surface. The design’s formal composition conveys a purposeful solidity, whilst the vase’s materiality embeds lightness and refraction within the complexity of a fluid dynamic. Fontana translates the intrinsic beauty of natural systems by continuing a narrative defined by their unrivalled logic and coherence.
The FONTANA bowl is presented in plain crystal, black and midnight blue. All these pieces are available numbered and signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
A sensory and tactile experience through sensual curves, the particular velvety touch of a satin finish, and a design both contemporary and timeless. This Midnight Blue colour was close to the heart of Zaha Hadid. It suffuses the Visio and Manifesto vases, which complete the Crystal Architecture by Zaha Hadid collection.
In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards Winner Lalique, UK Managing Director, Frederick Fischer explores the effort and craftsmanship that goes into creating their products, and dives into the company's values and work processes.
SBID Awards Category: Furniture - Residential
Practice: Lalique
Entry: Cactus Coffee Table
It is very important and an honour for us to achieve recognition from our esteemed industry peers in such a beautiful and enjoyable setting at such a well organised event. Aside from the obvious accolade for which we are extremely grateful – particularly to everyone who took the time to vote, it assures our design teams and hugely talented craftsmen and women in our factory in Alsace that what they are producing and creating is the very best. It also of course helps when we are speaking to clients and customers from across the world to say a piece has been celebrated in this way.
The Cactus coffee table is a reimagined classic design first created in 1951. It is a beautiful, timeless and strong design that embodies the creative genius and unique expertise of our design masters.
In order to participate in the creation of the Cactus table, our craftsmen and women must have received the distinction of Best Craftsmen of France. Successfully bringing together talent, timing and temperature, six dedicated glass masters combine an exceptional mastery of modern technique. It takes around 10 weeks to create the piece and craft the legs alone.
Across all our collections, the original designs of Rene Lalique are an inspiration. We work with our heritage and know how – from the archives but also with our creative teams in Paris led by creative director Marc Larminaux to create pieces that will work with interiors today. We were asked by clients many times if we could create a coffee table to suit contemporary and traditional interiors and the Cactus design sits perfectly within this.
The Lalique name is synonymous with craft, luxury and savoir faire and the French art of living well which is evident in all our pillars – hospitality, art, interior design, decorative items, jewellery and perfumes.
It takes around seven years to qualify as a glass maker in the factory and it is an extraordinary skilled and precise craft. It is a gift to be able to work so cleverly and skilfully with your hands.
Lalique CEO and Chairman, Mr Silvio Denz is also a visionary and we have collaborated and worked with some of the most celebrated artists, architects and designers as well as like-minded luxury brands such as Damien Hirst, Sir Elton John, Zaha Hadid, Mario Botta, The Macallan and Singapore Airlines to name a few.
It is a very exciting time to be at Lalique as our world expands and grows.
We have some very exciting collaborations coming up and we also recently opened a new gourmet restaurant and the first Lalique boutique in Scotland at The Glenturret – Scotland’s oldest working distillery which is also home to the finest whiskey bar in the world – designed and created by Lalique.
Work hard, be resilient, travel and explore as much as possible and be kind and polite. The design industry is a small world.
It’s a world of opportunity for young designers now as the barriers between art/interiors/fashion and design merge and we have some very talented creatives – good luck!
Questions answered by Frederick Fischer, UK MD, Lalique.
Lalique has more than 130 years of savoir-faire and creative excellence in the French “Art of Living”, producing timeless creations: art objects, light fixtures, furniture, jewellery, fragrances and more – all “made in France”.
If you missed last week's Interview with SBID Awards' Overall Winner Angel O'Donnell, click here to read it.
This month's product roundup features the latest news and collections from SBID's network of Accredited suppliers; from aesthetic designs for sanitiser dispensers to a range of sustainably-made lounge chairs, the June edition showcases unique designer collaborations for signature furniture collections and hand-tufted rugs, as well as highlights new certifications for embedded carbon footprints of ecological paints!
KEUCO introduces additional colours and branding options for sanitiser dispenser
KEUCO’s sanitiser dispensers go above expectations, bold and bright or subtle chic, suitable for an extensive variety of areas, locations and situations: homes to hotels, supermarkets to shopping malls, airports to Aston Martin’s! These new dispensers meet the highest hygiene requirements, whilst combining functionality with a distinguished design.
Since the middle of 2020 hand sanitisers have become a must for every property. KEUCO’S dispenser has an elegant yet straightforward, linear design, along with superior technical features that have been invisibly integrated in the design. The KEUCO dispensers make a stylish addition in any location where hand sanitisers are required.
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Arper presents its first sustainable lounge chair in solid wood with Kata
Lightweight in form and environmental footprint, Kata is designed with circular sustainability at its core. Arper’s first solid wood lounge chair, Kata takes inspiration from artisan-made wood and woven straw chairs and reimagines the near universal typology using contemporary, sustainable solutions in an expression that’s both graphic and warm. Kata finds form in juxtaposition - an evocative gesture in the movement between material presence and minimal silhouette, softness and strength, tradition and technology.
The Kata lounge chair is a union of traditional craftsmanship and soft technology. An oak and black locust FSC certified wooden frame supports a tailor-made 3D knit textile. The knit cover is created from recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic that is converted into durable and lightweight fibers - roughly 1 kilo of waste – or about 48 half PET bottles – is used to produce 1 kilo of yarn. The knit technology is also formed to fit the frame, avoiding leftover material waste found in traditional manufacturing, with unified seat and back structure available in lightweight stripe or graphic-patterned 3D knit with internal micro-padding - all suitable for outdoor use. Additional loose seat and back cushions finishes can be customized in both Arper's complete fabric catalogue.
TSAR Carpets introduces latest hand-tufted rug collection, Tæpper
A global industry leader in luxury custom-made carpets and rugs, Melbourne-based TSAR Carpets is pleased to introduce the new Tæpper Collection, a series of hand-tufted rug designs made in collaboration with designer Michelle Macarounas of Infinite Design Studio. The collection will be sold exclusively at TSAR’s studios in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London, and Shanghai with each luxurious rug hand-tufted from the finest grade of New Zealand wool and shiny Tencel fibre, offering incredible durability and softness.
Featuring abstract designs inspired by the art and design of mid-20th century modernism - in particular, the object-mobile artwork of Alexander Calder - the collection’s sculptural graphics are enhanced by colorful dimension, adding a design-forward focal point for any room. “The goal was to create stylish area rugs that felt more like pieces of art and infuse an eclectic sensibility to any interior space,” says Macarounas. “My aim was for each design to be simple, yet strong enough to breathe on its own or sit in harmony with other interior design elements.”
Lalique launches Signature Collection in collaboration with interior designer, Pierre-Yves Rochon
The Signature Collection combines Lalique's extraodinary skills in the art of glassmarking with Pierre-Yves Rochon's outstanding expertise in designing interior solutions for luxury hotels around the world. The collection embodies the brand's timeless elegance as an enduring symbol of French luxury.
Pierre-Yves Rochon comments: “Crystal is a noble material that beautifully serves all forms of art: from architecture or sculpture to tableware or jewelry... As an Interior Designer, it is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and creativity. With this Signature collection of furniture, I wanted to write a new story in which metal sublimates the transparency, purity and brilliance of crystal. The Perles, Coutard, Vibration, Causeuses, Roses or Soudan pieces were born from the quest for the most beautiful aesthetic effect, the search for perfect proportions and the attention to every detail. Marked by the precision and the elegance of metal, the designs give crystal the freedom to blend in interior architecture and furniture design in a new manner. I am honoured to perpetuate René Lalique’s work, associating crystal and metal in my own turn.”
Graphenstone conclude certification for its embedded carbon footprint
The construction sector consumes 50% of all raw materials, produces 39% of all carbon emissions, causes 36% of all waste and 49% of total carbon emissions over the life of a building (source - WasteBuild). Architects, interior designers, manufacturers and contractors can all make significant contributions in protecting our fragile climate through choice of materials. For example in paints, one of the most polluting industries in the world, selecting and specifying newly developed ‘harm-free’ products using advanced technologies, as opposed to the same toxic options used over recent decades, can make a huge difference.
Graphenstone have now concluded the certification of its embedded carbon footprint. Its level is about one-fifth of the few other paints companies who have conducted the same research. The entire carbon footprint (complete raw material extraction to end of manufacture) presents the value 0.5kg / litre. BREEAM, LEED & WELL complaint, Graphenstone is certified for health and sustainability by the world’s most recognised product evaluation agencies (Cradle to Cradle Institute, Eurofins, Green Tag). They examine all aspects of a product's sourcing, development, energy, water and social impact, as well as how cleanly it dies off at end of life.
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When thinking of the use of crystal in the home both as an architectural feature and decorative item, there is no better example of its use than at Villa Rene Lalique, the former family home of Rene Lalique and now a 5 star hotel and 2 Michelin star restaurant which celebrates 100 years this year (2020). A celebration and showcase of Lalique from the wine glasses to the door handles, and Damien Hirst artworks lining the cellar can be bought or made bespoke to suit your schemes from Lalique's London boutiques.
By 1920, the Rene Lalique the artist had become a master glassmaker of some renown. He decided to build his new factory at Wingen, having been accorded the right to occupy a plot of state-owned forestry land. The location had two advantages: the village was on the rail network, and there was a local charcoal producer to supply the necessary fuel for his furnaces.
In addition to the land accorded by the municipality for him to construct the factory, René Lalique was also offered a plot on which to build a house. This would enable him to live nearby and supervise the progress of construction work. René Lalique paid increasingly frequent visits to the house in Wingen, while maintaining his apartment in Paris.
Today, the façade has not changed in a hundred years; the shutters are still painted peacock blue. The house reflects the traditional architectural features of Alsace: studwork, wooden balcony, apron walls shaped like curule seats beneath the windows, French windows framed in Vosges granite, and three chimney stacks on the roof. Inside, a living room, a kitchen, an imposing central staircase leading to the bedrooms and René Lalique’s study: an ensemble that constitutes an imposing family residence in classic style.
On 14 February 2008, Mr Silvio Denz purchased Lalique. In 2011, Silvio Denz, who had been aware of the existence of the house in the village without ever having taken a particular interest in it, had a closer look. He found it virtually intact, aside from some minor leaks in the roof. How could he resist its charm? Silvio Denz decided to refurbish the house for his visits to Wingen. But very soon the idea of turning it into a haven of luxury, worthy of the most elegant stately homes, made perfect sense. The bedrooms were transformed into lavish suites, complemented by an excellent gourmet restaurant. What better setting in which to present the world of Lalique? As much as it had captivated Silvio Denz, the project appealed to lovers of fine cuisine and the decorative arts, as well as collectors. The interior was all about “living Lalique”, and doing so in a contemporary context, amidst rare and fabulously beautiful objects.
The Villa, a veritable showcase for the Lalique art of living and savoir-faire, was unveiled to the public on 18 September 2015.
The exterior of the building was restored to its original state, remaining faithful to its appearance in the epoch of René Lalique; the interior was refurbished down to the finest detail to turn it into a magnificent treasure trove. The interior designers Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli pulled off with aplomb the feat of retaining the authenticity of a family residence while transforming it into a luxury boutique hotel.
Inside the entrance, a selection of crystal pieces from the Lalique collection and new creations from the factory capture the light that enters with the guest, giving a remarkable sense of clarity and purity, the whole illuminated by a magnificent chandelier. This first impression of projected light is an extraordinary experience.
Every detail of the Villa’s interior provides a reminder. From the door handles to the adornments on the armchairs in the lounge, from the cushions of the sofas decked with pieces of crystal to the ebony lacquer of the bar, the view from the dining room to the salon… All is an interplay of light and transparency in the Art Deco style.
To explore Villa René Lalique is to follow in the artist’s footsteps. Six suites are decorated to reflect his various creative periods. The Zeila suite is the sole exception, taking its name from the panther modelled by Marie-Claude Lalique. Guests wishing to spend the night in the bedroom occupied by René Lalique choose the Hirondelles suite, which is reached via a replica of the original black staircase. The Rose suite is decorated in soft powder tones; while Dahlia, with its beige-ivory furniture, is an insistent appeal to relax. All the bathrooms are magnificently decorated,from the made-to measure crystal panels to the crystal taps.
On the second floor, a beautiful balcony belonging to the Dragon suite gives onto the park. The Masque de Femme suite offers spacious family accommodation. This duplex comprises two bedrooms and a salon, a real bijou of the Lalique art of contemporary living.
The five-star hotel, a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection, is run with great commitment and meticulous attention to detail. The renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta designed an extension to the Villa that is an ideal space for a restaurant. It consists of a rectangle of glass, supported by columns of Vosges sandstone, discreetly linked to the hotel’s reception area.
When Silvio Denz was looking for a chef capable of rising to the culinary challenge in this prestigious setting, history smiled upon him once more. Jean-Georges Klein, chef at L’Arnsbourg, where the purchase of Lalique had been celebrated on that fateful evening in 2008, is one of the best French master chefs, holding three Michelin stars for 13 years. In 2014, he decided to leave the family-run restaurant that he owned with his sister. A happy coincidence led him to cross paths once more with Silvio Denz. The chef dropped all his plans to take on a new challenge: launching the restaurant at Villa René Lalique. The gourmet restaurant was awarded two stars by Guide MICHELIN in January 2016, within just three months of opening.
Lalique table settings are the perfect framework for serving dishes of such delicacy. The tone is set by Masque de Femme napkin rings and the replica 1924 crystal pepper and salt mills. Wine glasses and decanters are quickly filled with the finest crus selected by Romain Iltis, named Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2015, who has worked with Jean-Georges Klein for several years to create perfect pairings of food and wine.
The choice of wine on offer is vast: beneath the restaurant Mario Botta has created a cellar with a state-of-the-art design to house the extraordinary collection of vintage wines amassed by the Denz family.
To travel there now is to immerse oneself in a fabled world of creativity and culinary excellence with crystal at its heart, in the universe of Lalique that is waiting to offer passionate explorers from far and wide the height of excellence.
About the Author
Frederick Fischer is the UK Managing Director of Lalique. Lalique is a French glassmaker, founded by renowned glassmaker and jeweller René Lalique in 1888. Lalique is best known for producing glass art, including perfume bottles, vases, and ornaments
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Lalique represents timeless luxury and the French ‘art of living’. Supplying decorative glass and crystal interior homeware, jewellery, perfume and art, it has become the ultimate symbol of French luxury. As a proud sponsor of the SBID International Design Awards 2019 for the Residential Apartment Under £1M category, we interviewed the UK Managing Director of LALIQUE, Frederick Fischer to share insight into the origins of this high-end luxury brand.
What are the origins of your brand?
It is over 130 years since Rene Lalique founded the company in 1888. His career began as a designer working for Cartier and Boucheron, amongst others, and was regarded as the master of jewellery design in the Art Nouveau style. By the 1890s he was making jewellery for celebrities and public figures of the day including Sarah Bernhardt, who wore Lalique on the stage, which is where the term ‘costume jewellery’ derives.
His encounter with Francois Coty in1907 heralded his entry into the world of perfume bottles which led to Rene Lalique working entirely in glass by 1912. In 1935 he opened his boutique in Rue Royale, Paris. He died in 1945 and his son Marc Lalique replaced glass with crystal and raised Lalique’s profile to become the greatest crystal producer in France, if not the world. His granddaughter, Marie-Claude Lalique took the helm of the family enterprise in 1977, marrying modernity with tradition.
In 2008, Lalique was acquired by Swiss entrepreneur, Silvio Denz who has ensured continuity in its development, respecting traditional know-how centered on crystal, jewellery, fragrances, home accessories including furniture, lamps and decorative panels and most recently hotels and restaurants – a wide ranging orchestration of the brand’s timeless creations.
How do you work with interior designers?
Most designers come to Lalique with specific requests concerning pieces from existing ranges. If we receive detailed ideas of bespoke pieces that they would like to be created by us, we then work closely with our studio and the designer to tailor their requirements to the project. We may also adapt current lines to personalise a private interior.
What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?
Lalique is a timeless and elegant luxury that befits any interior. Be it a house, hotel or yacht that is adorned with Lalique, it instantly gives off an essence of a ‘prestige property’.
How do your services/offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?
We provide bespoke solutions and build relationships based on trust.
What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?
Our clients are not really driven by specific trends. However, I would say recently we have noticed more homes investing in large statement pieces such as the Mossi Vase in XXL for hallways and entranceways to make a bold statement. Our lighting range – chandeliers, sconces and table lamps are eternally popular. Lalique crystal panels are also hugely in demand – back lit in a wall or framed - whether the Merles & Raisins which adorned the interior of the Orient Express or the Eternal butterflies in vibrant colours by Damien Hirst – they are works of art.
Why did you want to become a sponsor of the SBID Awards?
To support and enhance the interior design community, which we are honoured to work with.
Sponsorship for the SBID International Design Awards 2020 is now open.
To find out more about becoming an SBID Awards sponsor, click here or email [email protected]
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