At Invisible Collection, we made it our mission to seek out and celebrate tomorrow’s talents, those who carry forward the legacy of French savoir-faire steeped into the heritage of Arts Décoratifs. Informed by the past, this new generation of French designers is reinventing a contemporary aesthetic that appeals to many around the globe. This year’s edition of Maison & Objet’s Rising Talents Awards is themed around French emerging talents, and we are delighted that Hugo Drubay is among the nominees. Championing his chances is our co-founder Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays who sits on the jury led by Philippe Starck, in the good company of many luminaries, each united in their passion for design. His young age notwithstanding, Hugo has already many achievements to show for, including an award at the 2019 Design Parade Festival in Hyères, and being already part of Mobilier National’s permanent collections.
Mixing ancestral techniques with highly technological solutions, Hugo Drubay’s work is a well-balanced interpretation of architectural tropes enlivened by organic shapes and textures found in nature. Corals, bark, and even the wavy, undulating movement of water inspire him unexpected pieces at the intersection of art & design. Rocailles, his signature collection of mirrors, has a story that is close to our hearts: “When I first met Isabelle, we spoke in length about 18th century legacy and the idea of luxury à la française. I felt as though she truly understood the subtlety of my references and inspirations. I found that very touching,” recalls Hugo. “To be honest, I conceived Rocailles thinking of and for Invisible Collection.”
The Rocailles Collection of mirrors is a reinterpretation of vermiculated glyphs, an ornamental motif defined by fine convolutions and meanderings usually found on ancient stone façades. These stunning mirrors feature a ceramic frame sketched by computer using parametric or digital sculpting software. The molds are then 3D printed and subsequently fired through traditional techniques. After assembling the elements on a frame, the pieces are protected by a wooden structure covered with unburnt gold leaf. The format of these pieces can be adapted to meet bespoke requests.
