The truly remarkable designs available on Invisible Collection would not exist without them: the amazing artisans who have honed their skills through years of practice and dedication and are able to make beautiful objects with their hands. This art of making things is called superior craftsmanship. It is what separates mass-produced items from bespoke, distinctive designs that will stand the test of time. It is the AI — Artisanal Intelligence — we foster at Invisible Collection. France has a longstanding tradition of craftsmanship, which is regarded as a true form of art and resonates with the French decorative arts movement that flourished between the late 19th century and the 1940s. The Arts Décoratifs left an enduring mark on architecture and interior design, most notably by blurring the boundaries between fine art and applied art: furniture pieces, textiles, ceramics, and lighting fixtures were created and regarded in the same way as works of art.
Behind each beautiful design is a master artisan who has a special connection with the designer. This collaborative relationship has always been essential, and it is best illustrated by a famous anecdote: in the 1930s, the great Jean-Michel Frank agreed to redesign Nelson Rockefeller’s apartment in New York on the condition that he could bring along the team of artists and artisans he usually worked with. That was then, but what about today? The need for a personal connection has not changed. Only by working closely with a skilled artisan can the designer truly communicate his vision and see it become a reality. We followed star designer Francesco Balzano “backstage” at the famed Ateliers Saint-Jacques, where his iconic Swan tables are made. Founded in the mid-20th century, Les Ateliers Saint-Jacques and Fonderie de Coubertin specialise in metalwork and wrought iron, cabinetmaking, stone and marble work, art foundry, and restoration. Today, the workshops are constantly evolving, incorporating the latest technologies while passing down ancestral know-how to a new generation of apprentices. Each workshop has its own research department, which works to merge traditional and modern techniques.
Speaking of traditional techniques popular in France during the 17th and 18th centuries, straw marquetry was arguably one of the finest and was often used to embellish furniture, decorative objects, and even entire rooms. Today, it is practised by a small number of artisans, including Lison de Caunes, the grand dame of straw marquetry. Her incredible work can be seen in elegant homes across the globe — and at The Townhouse, Invisible Collection’s home in New York, where she adorned two elegant niches. This decorative technique involves arranging thinly sliced pieces of straw in intricate patterns that elevate the design. The iconic sofas and armchairs available on Invisible Collection require the work of specialised upholsterers who can seamlessly integrate the different processes, from building the frame to dressing it. One of the go-to specialists is Atelier Jouffre, a French workshop based in Lyon. Besides delivering beautifully finished furniture pieces, Jouffre’s skilled artisans have developed new techniques for upholstering the most intricate frames. Everything is done by hand and can take months to complete… but it is certainly worth the wait!
Discover and shop our selection of one-of-a-kind furniture pieces created by star designers and handmade in the most renowned French ateliers.
