An Evening with Philippe Malouin: Artisanal Design Flirts With Industrial

Many young professionals and locally known personalities flocked to the chic and trendy W Hotel to experience what W Happenings does best: provide an intimate and inspiring experience you won’t find anywhere else.

This time, the award-winning designer Philippe Malouin was featured as guest speaker.

Let’s start with the food: Restaurant Otto prepared a menu of small bites including duck tartar and parmesan crisp, tomato and mozzarella salad, flavorful tart and more delights that pleased even the pickiest foodies.

Young professionals indulged in cocktails while mingling and networking before the speech took place in a cozy and stylish conference room reflective of the W aesthetic.

But it was Philippe Malouin that the packed room was awaiting to hear from.

Beginning on a humorous note, he shared stories about his career as well as his creative process and unique approach to design.

He talked about his humble beginnings when he left Montreal to continue his studies in Paris, where he left a large space and settled into a tiny studio and workshop measuring just 200 Square Feet.

He may have downsized in space, but he quickly made up for it with his first project in France. Hermes, one of the most luxurious fashion brand in the world, took him on – and things skyrocketed from there.

The limited space of his new reality also became the primary source of his inspiration, and that’s where the idea behind his famous “Hanger Chair” came from.

So, what inspires him? Philippe shared that he draws inspiration from his surroundings, in the most mundane things that usually go unnoticed. He likes to transform a humble material into a noble material, well demonstrated by his “Brick Lamp” made of a brick.

He likes to mix materials through unusual ways of production, intertwining industrial processes with crafts. This is also due to his complete creative freedom, which is his greatest gift but also one of his greatest challenges; sometimes a lack of direction from others can be tricky. 

One of his greatest achievements is Blur, a series of “paintings” realized through light and motion featuring a colourful selection of Swarovski crystal beads strung on a metal thread and attached to a motorized centre point. When the motor is engaged, the crystal beads accelerate and become abstracted, creating concentric rings of coloured light.

Also notable is the impressive architectural Loop Installation from recycled wooden pallets at the London head office of the Bloomberg publication.

In addition to having won several awards, teaching at the Royal College Of Art, and practicing interior design for his own company called Post Office business, the diversified portfolio of Philippe Malouin has countless unique objects including tables, carpets, chairs, lamps and artwork – sentimental value that can never be replicated.

If you want a feast for the eyes, make sure to visit his site to view the entire portfolio of his magnificent creations.

#NOTABLE

Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.

All images provided by the : W Hotel