Looking for authenticity, for respect of the original work, for savoir-faire and for traditional workmanship, the Serge Mouille Editions® carries on the work of talented artists and imposes its lights as an unmissable work of the design industry. Let’s focus on this designer house, on a story which has charmed Signatures Singulières.
Above: Didier Delpiroux, CEO of the Serge Mouille Editions®. Stapled light with two ball joints, also available in white. Serge Mouille Editions®.
Serge Mouille Editions®, a label, a story
Created in 1999 by Gin Mouille who is the widow of Serge Mouille and Claude Delpiroux, the Serge Mouille Editions® carries on the work of the creative artist and the teacher which started in 1951. Serge Mouille met Jacques Adnet who is the director of the Compagnie des Arts Français. He created at his request the Three-arm lamp, first one of the famous series Formes Noires, and then the Standing lamp. These are signature lamps which put him on the design stage beside Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Georges Jouve and Norbert Pierlot.
Exhibitions, creations, schooling, Serge Mouille had two careers and had decided to stop his lamps production in 1963 in order to devote himself to teaching. For about 40 years, his creations have been put in brackets before rising 11 years after his death through the Serge Mouille Editions®. Set up a few kilometers from the designer’s village, its goal is to fulfill the history, the philosophy and the plans of Serge Mouille by acting on the production of his work.
A handmade savoir-faire
Carrying on the original work of the creator, working on with a respect of the handmade spirit and in compliance of the origins of shapes, dimensions and colors : these are the will of the Serge Mouille Editions®. The constant search of authenticity, of respect of the original work, of the savoir-faire and the specific way of production is and will stay one of the main value of the house which keeps the quality of the handmade finish for extraordinary lamps.
At the very heart of the firm, the master gestures are perpetuated by Karl Sauvade, former student of Serge Mouille. From the 1988 school year, he was Serge Mouille’s last student at the school Olivier de Serres. Karl Sauvade brought direct relation to the savoir-faire of his master/teacher. That is a major asset. Close to the couple, it’s Gin, Serge Mouille’s wife, who introduced him to Claude Delpiroux when he decided to get into lights republication. With Fred Barney, who was also one of Serge Mouille’s students, Karl Sauvade started the new production of lamps. Then Fred took over from Serge Mouille as a teacher of the Olivier de Serres metal worship. As for Karl, he fulfilled his own professional projects before joining the Serge Mouille Editions® in 2011.
The Serge Mouille Editions®, a signature design
Thanks to their pared-down, organic and mobile shaped, to their graceful rods, to their pivot arms and to their dark metals and white reflectors, the thirty-five lamps of the Serge Mouille Editions are recognizable among all. Marked by a sculptural and harmonious physique, they remind us of the feeling of movement in space to blossom gracefully. Floor lamps, wall lamps, ceiling lights and desk lamps are all available in black and sometimes in white. A signature monochrome which makes the fame of the house.
Interview with Didier Delpiroux.
CEO of the Serge Mouille Editions®
Your father went into partnership with Gin Mouille to make Serge Mouille’s creations rise. Today you are the CEO. What made you want to take over from him ?
Didier Delpiroux: quite simply, it’s the lamps, the passion. It’s a privilege for me, the self-taught man, the bad at studying, to manage one of the most beautiful lamp collection of the twentieth century. Actually the question has never been asked, it was an evidence. I have already been co-director for a few years and the Serge Mouille’s beneficiary trusted me.
What are the challenges to keep making these creations exist?
Didier Delpiroux: still and always improving the production tool, finding and training a staff involved by an intern and non-stop course in order to always guarantee a high-quality production.
You recently went into partnership with the Editions Disderot and Rispal hinging on the label Manufactures de Lux to guarantee the image and the high-quality of the French lamps. What were the motivations ?
Didier Delpiroux: joining our forces to introduce the french savoir-faire to the world and mutualizing the means of the exhibitions. And I must add to this that we found some real nice people.
What are your plans for the Serge Mouille Editions?
Didier Delpiroux: carrying on the development of the models which are not yet in the catalog. Creating some freshness because it’s always interesting esthetically and commercially. Also developing sales in Asia, especially in China.
List of outlets available on the website: www.serge-mouille.com
