Olivia Putman
Auteur : Ariane | 02-19-2011
© Xavier Béjot
During her time as 'artistic director' for Maison Lalique, Olivia Putman designed the "Ritual" cup for their client Nespresso, which was a huge success (fall of 2010). She now leads the design agency, Studio Putman.
Olivia Putman is also the original designer and curator of "Signed Putman", a tribute to the creations of her mother, the great Andrée Putman, which has never been empty since it opened at the Hotel de Ville in Paris!
In a new workspace, a beautiful agency, Olivia warmly welcomes us into her office. From the terrace we can see the Paris rooftops reflecting the mood of the sky and its lights...
I say "we" because it is thanks to Stephanie, a former employee at Studio Putman who is now part of the team at Cocotte Design ", that I was given this opportunity to accompany her while meeting Olivia.
Elegantly dressed in black, her look and presence are impressive. I love this kind of woman; shall we say women of "strong personality"? Very quickly, the stress of the first meeting disappears and we begin to exchange and discuss.
Forty years after her mother, Olivia does not change everything at the agency. On the contrary, the spirit of integrity remains intact within the team. You just have to learn to listen to the people of today and to adapt to a new time, touched by the crisis.
"I'm here, I am present" she simply stated.
She does not necessarily seek orders with large budgets but instead would like the studio to offers a place where the creation of objects and the interior design projects are recognized for being well made and above all for bringing happiness...
Although she describes her style as "timeless", Olivia is adaptable, that's how she hope to make her mark as the new era of Studio Putman. Wow! Although somewhat destabilized by the reality of this situation, I understand that Olivia wants to add to her mother doings by asserting her own style.
Let’s talk about Olivia’s likes and inspirations.
As I am looking at her little favorite objects on her shelf (her Eames elephant and a stone from “her” island, we start the interview.
Her inspiration: everything that surrounds her, the people, the quays along the Seine, the light ...
Her favorite colors: are those used by surprise, when opening a dressing for example...or the colors of books bindings that line the shelf. These are the "colors of life", she says.
Her wishes: a line of affordable furniture for the general public and the creation of an ultra luxurious object.
Olivia and the Internet: she doesn’t have time...
Her latest purchase: She is not a consumer
Her friends: Louis Beneche, Christian Leboutin
Her dream house: on “her” Greek island
Her last emotion: "Mom, you're beautiful when you're dressed as an intellectual..." as said by her son watching her leave for the day.
Her advice # 1: Always mix
Her advice # 2: open your eyes
And finally, THE question: What does the word "cocotte" make you think of?
- A pressure cooker, saves time for women
- Women from a certain time
- A very good idea to name a blog! (That’s an answer we like!)
The interview ends on these words, Olivia had already plunged her thoughts into new horizons ...
Une cocotte déguisée en putman
A big thank you Olivia.
The Exhibition "Signed Putman" until February 26 at the Hotel de Ville in Paris.
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