The Beautiful Values of Source Édition
BY EMMANUELLE GRAFFIN
Respecting creation and showcasing it—these are the missions that Source Édition has set for itself, a furniture publishing house founded by a mother and daughter, dedicated to design from the 1950s to the 1970s. A closer look.
The first collection from Source Édition was unveiled last April at Milan Design Week. This furniture publishing and re-edition house, focusing on pieces from the 1950s to 1970s, was created by mother and daughter Isabelle de Ponfilly, who spent 26 years leading Vitra France, and Joséphine Bursacchi, who ran a vintage design gallery. "All the objects we publish for the first time or reissue are selected by Joséphine, who is an expert in this period," says Isabelle de Ponfilly. "She chooses treasures from the past either by exploring archives or through her knowledge of objects. I examine them from a technical perspective, because previously at Vitra, I was also involved in developing new projects."
Each piece in the collection is produced in France or Italy and is intended to be "well-made" while remaining affordable. "We also wanted products in line with the market, but not limited editions or 'collectibles,'" adds Isabelle de Ponfilly. Some pieces are adapted for today while remaining faithful to the original design, such as the "Jumelles" lamp designed in 1970 by Dutch designer and architect Ben Swildens. Its globe is now made of frosted glass instead of opaline, which was originally made using mercury. The steel structure has also been replaced with aluminum, a lighter and infinitely recyclable material.
Among the core values of this young company are durability and authenticity. "All our pieces are made in France and Italy, repairable, and designed with the idea that they can last a lifetime," says Joséphine Bursacchi. Another value upheld by the two founders of Source Édition is highlighting the history of objects and designers. "We protect nature, but also humans. We only work with people who have or had beautiful values," says Isabelle de Ponfilly. Today, five designers and eight objects are published and sold via an e-shop. The company aims to develop a network of retailers to provide advice and local service, as well as a contract division with products suited for offices, hotels, and event spaces. To be continued…
