Astier de Villatte
Astier de Villatte is a home goods company based in Paris founded by Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli in 1996. It produces collections of candles, cutlery, ceramics, perfume, glassware, furniture, and stationery.[1][2]
History
[edit]Astier de Villatte was founded by Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli in 1996. Astier de Villatte was born in Rome and spent the first five years of his life there. His father, Pierre Carron, was an artist in residence at the Villa Medici. After moving to Paris he taught at the École des Beaux-Arts where his son would later study. Pericoli moved from Italy to Paris when he was thirteen after the death of his mother to live with his father. He met Astier de Villatte and his siblings at this time. He studied painting at the École des Beaux-Arts where he studied under Jeanclos and Carron. During this period, Pericoli became very close to Carron's whole family. With friends and members of the Carron family, Astier de Villatte and Pericoli formed loose collective of artist who focused on making furniture and ceramics. The ceramics sold well leading to an article in Marie Claire which led to their pieces featured at the Maison et Objet design exhibition. The business quickly grew with investment of money and assistance from Astier de Villatte's family.[3]
According to Pericoli, they "are inspired by the old and forgotten, and are as touched by the beauty of something found in the trash as an artwork in the Louvre."[2] The company operates a flagship store on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, which according to Benoît, is the only shop interior in Paris which survives from Napoleonic France,[4] with another store in the city which opened in 2016, a store in Seoul opened in 2021,[5] and Milan and Tokyo in 2024.[6][3]
Their ceramics are made from black terracotta, a material more often used in sculpture, formed with plaster molds and then covered with a white glaze. The pieces have a distinctive look showing their handmade nature with an unevenness and interruptions in the glaze showing the terracotta underneath.[7]
In 2008, Astier de Villatte started selling perfume, with their first three scents by Françoise Caron of Takasago.[8][9][10] In 2023, the company revived historic perfumes by partnering with master perfumer Dominique Ropion and perfume historian Annick Le Guérer using old recipes and modern technology.[11] They revived a kyphi, an ancient Egyptian incense, Artaban, a perfume of Parthian kings that was a favorite of ancient Roman nobility,[12] and Les Nuits, the perfume of George Sand.[11]
In 2015, the company acquired Société des Ateliers et Imprimeries Graphiques (SAIG), a linotype printing firm located in the suburbs of Paris. In 2016, they published through the firm the book Ma Vie à Paris, a guidebook which covers Ivan and Benoît's favorite shops of Paris.[13][14]
In October 2024, Astier de Villatte sold a majority stake to the investment fund Vesper. Pericoli and Benoît Astier de Villatte retained a "significant stake" in the company and continued on as creative leaders.[15]
In 2024, Grace Coddington partnered with the company on a collection of cards and ceramics with cat motifs.[16][17][18]
References
[edit]- ^ Isaac-Goizé, Tina (September 28, 2016). "Ma Vie à Paris Is the Ultimate Guide to Paris, by the Duo Behind Astier de Villatte". Vogue.
- ^ a b McCarthy, Fiona (December 10, 2017). "Interiors: get the Parisian chic Astier de Villatte look". www.thetimes.com.
- ^ a b "Astier de Villatte | Gagosian Quarterly". Gagosian. October 11, 2024.
- ^ "What's next for Astier de Villatte, the beloved rustic French design brand". South China Morning Post. January 6, 2024.
- ^ Tattoli, Chantel (March 9, 2022). "Are You an Astier Person? (Published 2022)". The New York Times.
- ^ Komi, Issei (April 22, 2024). "Astier de Villatte: the first showroom outside France in Milan".
- ^ Tattoli, Chantel (March 9, 2022). "Are You an Astier Person?" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Stone, Susan (October 12, 2016). "Astier de Villatte Brings Cologne to Berlin".
- ^ Waldman, Rachel (May 19, 2016). "This Cult French Fragrance House Has Your Signature Scent Game Sorted". Vogue.
- ^ "Les Nuits: Perfume from George Sand's Travel Bottle ~ Fragrance Reviews ~ Fragrantica".
- ^ a b Media, Surface (May 26, 2023). "Astier De Villatte Is Reviving Fragrances Lost to Time".
- ^ "Perfume of the Ancient World by Astier de Villatte ~ Fragrance Reviews ~ Fragrantica". www.fragrantica.com.
- ^ Cavanagh, Alice (March 22, 2016). "Astier de Villatte Releases a New Guide to Paris". Wall Street Journal – via www.wsj.com.
- ^ Leung, Tisha (December 14, 2016). "Astier de Villatte's Ultimate Guide to Paris". Architectural Digest.
- ^ "Astier de Villatte Sells Majority Stake to Vesper". The Business of Fashion. October 23, 2024.
- ^ Celeste, Sofia (September 30, 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Grace Coddington on Her Foray Into Home With Astier de Villatte".
- ^ "GRAZIA Exclusive: Grace Coddington x Astier de Villatte, A Whimsical Celebration of Style & Craft". 22 November 2024.
- ^ "Modeling, Drawing, and Mural-Making: How Grace Coddington Is Embracing Life After 'Vogue'". www.culturedmag.com.