Header: Arseni Khamzin
Lambert & Fils is stepping into bold new territory with Bolda, an unconventional lighting collection created in collaboration with South Korean designer Kwangho Lee. Set to debut at Salone del Mobile in Milan from April 8-13, 2025, this collection combines experimental techniques, sculptural aesthetics, and a fearless approach to materials.
The Collection: Bold shapes and radiant textures
“This project was a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of our practice and create a light fixture that reflects the soul of our two creative worlds.”
Samuel Lambert, founder of Lambert & Fils
Polished aluminum, one of the studio’s signature materials, frames enameled copper plates, transforming each fixture into an illuminated sculpture. The light source, hidden beneath a folded cover, radiates through precise openings, emphasizing edges and intersections. Large circular cutouts allow the surrounding environment to interact with each piece, altering its appearance depending on the viewer’s angle and the ambient light. The collection includes a suspension model and two wall sconces, with a pared-down version available in polished aluminum for a more minimalist aesthetic.
Kwangho Lee’s craft combines tradition and experimentation
For years, Kwangho Lee has refined his expertise in copper enameling, drawing inspiration from chilbo, a traditional Korean decorative art. This method involves layering colored glass powder onto metal and firing it at high temperatures, originally used for intricate jewelry and small ornaments. Lee has taken this delicate craft and expanded it into large-scale works, introducing a raw, unpredictable surface texture.
The name “Bolda” reflects the natural beauty of Jeju Island, where Lee lives and works, its quiet waves and soft breezes captured in the fluidity of enameled copper. The collaboration with Lambert & Fils marries this centuries-old technique with modern lighting design, creating a striking dialogue between past and present.
A creative partnership across continents
“Taking on new challenges and attempts is like sailing on an open sea. Sometimes we face big waves, and sometimes strong winds blow, and I think our collaboration is the same. As the name Bolda implies, I think our voyage has finally found new light on calm and quiet waves.”
Kwangho Lee
Montreal design curator Pierre Laramée first introduced Lee to Lambert, believing their shared appreciation for craftsmanship would lead to something exceptional. After months of remote collaboration between Seoul and Montreal, Lee joined the Lambert & Fils studio for an intensive creative residency. This hands-on exchange helped refine the collection, allowing Lee to apply his enameling expertise directly to the lighting pieces, shaping the collection’s final character.
Bolda at Salone del Mobile
Returning to Salone del Mobile (Euroluce, pad 6, stand C-41) after years of exhibiting at Fuorisalone, Lambert & Fils will present Bolda in a dynamic installation designed by DWA Design Studio. The exhibit will also feature the complete Ipoli series, a collection known for its pivoting heads and refined, modernist energy.
Source: v2com-newswire
