C’est une Affaire de Famille

There is something incredibly special about a proud successor, especially in a family business. Someone of biological and/or inherent connection of whom carries on one’s vision and legacy. Someone, or possibly many, who believes with abandon and vigor in their predecessor’s dream and dedicates to carrying it forth. It’s a feeling unmatched I’d venture to say.

Image Courtesy of Archives.Toulouse

In the 1960’s French sculpture Odile Mir began working in a lighting factory in the south of France. Odile was the only female designer at the time working at the factory, producing light fixture prototypes to be sold to major department stores around France.

From albantiquites.com, Odile Mir (1926).

A pioneer in so many ways, upon learning welding from a local blacksmith, Odile would revel late into the hours working on fine-tuning the art of machining and sculpting through metal. These moments of exploration and spontaneity led her to launch a fruitful career in furniture design. And with only a moment’s glance … you are certain to recognize her glorious, modern, ahead of the times, designs.

From wsj.com, The Granddaughter Revitalizing Her 94-Year-Old Grandmother’s French Design Glory.

Odile Mir, left, and Léonie Alma Mason at Mir’s home in Toulouse, France.
PHOTO: CLAIRE ISRAEL

Fast forward to 2021, with a transformative breath of fresh design air Mir’s granddaughter, interior designer Léonie Alma Mason, of Paris-based LA.M Studio, is bringing her beloved’s designs retour à la vie (back to life).

Catch this complete, inspiring article after the jump >>