An exclusive atelier crafting artisanal ceramics, Astier De Villatte is also a crucible of projects and products that give interiors a unique appeal, against the background of a story where art and friendship reign supreme
by Marta Bernasconi, ph.
The refined style of the French fashion house is expressed through diverse, niche creations, all rather exclusive – artisanal ceramics for the table, fragrances, scented candles and publications printed by the brand’s own press, purchased in Paris and one of the last of its kind in the world to use lead characters
Plates in five different sizes, teapot, cups and bowls make up the new 2024 service by Astier de Villatte. All bear decoration, always different, designed by Eva Jospin, which is, the artist’s own words, “Like the work of Nature, constantly reproduced without ever repeating itself”
nsurprisingly, French terms and names crop up frequently in this brand’s story. It was founded in 1996 by Ivan Pericoli and Benoît Astier de Villatte, who launched a small company with a group of family members and friends from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, none of whom had any special expertise in the art of table settings. But artistic spirit is a natural gift and the rest can be learnt, and this band of creative entrepreneurs soon attracted attention for its “objets rêvés”, furniture inspired by objects that were discarded or found in a flea market, and for ceramic tableware created using techniques learnt at the academy of Beaux-Arts. They had an innovative style and their products became sought after throughout the world. The small firm evolved into a brand, and in 2000 the two founders left their first atelier and opened the shop of their dreams in the rue Saint Honoré, Paris. The group supporting them now numbered dozens of collaborators, creatives and artisans creating the fascinating range of products offered by Astier de Villatte: ceramic
tableware and household ware, furniture, fragrances, scented candles and sophisticated publications (printed in-house since 2015). In 2018 the brand added lamps to its catalogue. In the context of the art of the table setting, this eclectic French brand’s artisanal laboratory is now drawing inspiration from the traditions of 18th century Parisian manufacture, giving them a contemporary interpretation and bringing the art of fabric printing into the 21st century. Its latest creative focus is on a collaboration with Eva Jospin, an old friend of the Astier de Villatte family and an artist known for her cardboard sculptures. During the most recent Milan Design Week she presented her “Mini-mondes” in the Milan boutique, with three art works inspired by the spectacular desserts created by chef Antonin Carême, sculpted in cardboard then modelled in white ceramic, as well as an eightpiece service, also in dazzling white ceramic, decorated with interwoven branches and leaves repeated in ever-different ways. These pieces are as unique as the Astier de Villette story and the entire range of the brand’s products. www.astierdevillatte.com