Les Clopes and Co, José Lévy's collection of iconic lighting fixtures, is imbued with both the timeless graphic universe of the French editor, close to art deco, as it is with the heritage of Japanese craftsmanship, whose poetry and purity have nourished the imagination of the Parisian designer since his childhood. Renowned for his whimsical creative approach, which blends tradition and experimentation, the designer drew on the principle of “Kokeshis”. These wooden figurines from another time provide the framework for the composition of each piece. The result is a true gallery of “characters” divided into 3 atypical families: Les Clopes, les Co and les Dé-Moulures.

Such a narrative vision offers CVL the opportunity to free itself from an exclusive focus on design. The pieces no longer simply illuminate the space with elegance, their expressiveness awakens the imagination, developing an emotional and intimate relationship with the object. And, the source of light takes on another dimension: being a source of attention. The other distinctive feature of this “living” approach is its ability to provoke unexpected innovations, enabling the Anjou-based company with its six decades of experience, to acquire new know-how.

Les Clopes consists of floor lamps, table lamps and hanging lamps. Their transgressive yet cheerful name, emblematic of the spirit of a designer skillfully juggling references to popular culture with those of excellence, comes from their long, slender tube shape. For their base, José gives way with the usual use of brass to favor lacquered, chromed or varnished metal. And then, responding to his fascination with Japanese craftsmanship, he developed burnt or toasted wood, a previously unseen technique that the manufacture had to add to its range of practices. The sensoriality of such material blends harmoniously with that of fabric or linen lampshades.

With their minimalist, cylindrical bodies and heads, Les Coseries is the one that most faithfully reflects the inspiration of the “Kokeshis”. This family of table lamps, in various sizes, is also made of wood or metal, with the upper part in opaque glass.

The Dé-Moulures are in keeping with José Lévy's Parisian roots and Haussmann heritage. In a work of “deconstruction” of this iconic style, the designer has used the ornamental motif of interior moldings to sculpt the base of these sconces or table lamps. By affixing an opaque glass head to this architectural base, the designer amplifies the charisma of these lamps, which echo the idea of inhabited form.