Cover Stephen Sy, Lolita Sy, Colin Dancel, Priscilla Lydia and Ethel Tan celebrating iconic luxury lamp brand Louis Poulsen’s 150 years
Stephen Sy, Lolita Sy, Colin Dancel, Priscilla Lydia and Ethel Tan celebrating iconic luxury lamp brand Louis Poulsen’s 150 years
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The Copenhagen-based family business has transformed into the iconic First House of Light, which showcases timeless, innovative lamp designs on a global scale
In celebration of 150 years of Louis Poulsen’s iconic design legacy, an extraordinary event unfolds, paying tribute to the brand’s enduring influence on the design world. This milestone event brings together enthusiasts and designers to explore the timeless elegance of Louis Poulsen’s creations, which have illuminated spaces with both form and function for over a century. This event was a fitting tribute to a brand that continues to inspire and shape the future of curated interiors.
Adding a contemporary touch to the celebration, the event is enhanced by a special photo exhibit by photographer Colin Dancel. Through her lens, Dancel captures the essence of Louis Poulsen’s designs, highlighting the interplay of light, shadow, and structure in a way that reveals the profound impact of these pieces on modern interiors. Each photograph showcases the beauty of Louis Poulsen’s work, inviting viewers to reflect on the brand’s journey from its early days to its present status as a global design icon.
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To further understand Louis Poulsen’s history and impact on the Philippine design scene, Tatler sat down with brand principals Priscilla Lydia and Ethel Tan. They provided unique insights into the brand’s appeal to a wide range of audiences while maintaining the stamp of quiet luxury.
Focus Global invites the public to experience The He(art) of Light exhibit until September 15, 2024, on the 29th Floor of the Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building, BGC. The exhibit is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm.
Above Ethel Tan and Priscilla Lydia of the Louis Poulsen team
Ethel Tan and Priscilla Lydia of the Louis Poulsen team
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In Louis Poulsen’s long history, what do you find gives the company such long-lasting influence in design?
Ethel Tan (ET): We’ve come so far over the past 150 years. Being a very heritage brand, we took classics to current times, adapting the designs from our grandmasters such as Poul Henningsen, Verner Panton, and Arne Jacobsen, who are very famous designers who also design furniture with different global brands.
The brand is 150 years old, but it presents itself as a modern brand. How do you balance the two descriptions?
Priscilla Lydia (PL): I think when we talk about modernism or anything antique or classic, you’re limiting it to a very specific time frame. And I think Louis Poulsen as a brand has always been considered timeless. So 50 years from now, I think our designs will be just as relevant. 50 years before, it was just as relevant. And our brand, when we talk about classics or even our modern designs, it’s never based on trends, but always on aesthetics. We don’t kind of focus on classic or modern but across the different decades, the products stand on their own.
Colin Dancel looking at her photographs
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Who would be your youngest and oldest customer?
PL: When we talk about Danish history, the Danes have a habit of passing down lamps for birthdays and graduations. I mean, for us, we usually get jewellery or watches from our grandparents or our parents. But the Danes pass down Louis Poulsen lamps–especially limited edition items.
You can get people in their 70s and 80s buying lamps, possibly from the 1950s that were passed down. When we talk about the youngest purchasers, we are looking at first-time homeowners, people who are just introduced to design, or if they are buying for their children. I mean, some of our products are used for nurseries. You can say that our youngest customer would probably be someone who's in the cradle still, with a nursery that features a Louis Poulsen lamp.
Above Tatler Homes Editor Jet Acuzar with Lolita Sy of Focus Global Inc
Tatler Homes Editor Jet Acuzar with Lolita Sy of Focus Global Inc
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Could you tell us about your experience bringing Louis Poulsen into the Philippines?
ET: We started with the Philippines market back in 2021. We were one of the brands that started working with Focus Global during the COVID era, while everything was still online. The Philippines has always been an interesting market for us. When we wanted to enter the market, we wanted to do it right. FGI was the best partner for us because they already have a history and understanding of how to work with classic and iconic brands.
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Above The PH Artichoke lamp by Louis Poulsen
Above Cathy Belizario, Jet Acuzar, Priscilla Lydia, Holly Quiec, Ethel Tan, Luth Cardano
The PH Artichoke lamp by Louis Poulsen
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Which pieces do Filipinos gravitate towards most, and why do you believe they show a preference for these?
PL: When we talk about design in the Philippines, I feel that people do have a good understanding of home design. The idea of quiet or soft luxury appealed to Filipino customers, which is why I do feel like the Poul Henningsen collection particularly, has done very well for us in the market.
Which products would you like clients in the Philippines to learn more about?
ET: We have the PH Lamp that patinates with time and tells a story about how long you’ve had it. So we always try to share that story with our customers. In Southeast Asia, we want everything to look shiny and new. But we constantly try and share with them the story about how the patination tells the love story between you and the product.
Above Focus Global and Louis Poulsen teams with Colin Dancel
Focus Global and Louis Poulsen teams with Colin Dancel
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Patination is not a concept people are as comfortable with in Asia as they are in Europe. How do you invite the Asian market to have a better appreciation for this?
ET: When it comes to lighting, for the Philippines market, or even across Southeast Asia, there’s still some information that might be needed on why lighting is so important and why it is associated with wellness. The whole concept of patination or aged metals is still something to be understood. I don’t think that it will always be the case, but it’s something new that we have also introduced. I’m sure that there are customers who can appreciate that concept over time.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
