Richler’s sharp eye for detail comes from his diverse creative endeavours; prior to lighting design, he worked in the fields of fashion and architectural design. “The experience I earned from the time I spent designing jewellery informs a lot of my work and process when I’m designing lighting fixtures,” he says. “Before venturing into jewellery, I was in architecture, which is similar to design but on a macro scale.”

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Established in 2012, Gabriel Scott was “founded in an effort to blend the design experience developed over years working in architecture, fashion and bespoke furniture”. Richler’s multidisciplinary design approach largely shapes the engineering of the statement lighting pieces, in particular “how [he] interprets decorative lighting and treats it as larger scale jewellery”. He adds: “Jewellery allowed me to focus on details and the nobility of craftsmanship as well as exquisite materials.”

Take, for example, The Welles chandelier, a signature piece from Gabriel Scott and Richler’s personal favourite design. The striking lighting fixture boasts a contemporary gem-like influence with an Art Deco glamour. Comprising of geometric hollowed polygons, the bespoke modular piece allows for seemingly infinite configurations for custom specifications.  

“It really exemplifies everything that the Gabriel Scott studio set out to do by blending influences from various design fields,” explains Richler. The design team also recently experimented with glass-blowing techniques to create an entirely new custom textured glass finish. 

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While the brand has its roots in Montreal, Canada—where its 30,000 sqft production studio is still located today—Gabriel Scott is also expanding its international footprint to cater to its global demand. The brand opened the doors to its flagship showroom in downtown Manhattan in 2014; the brand has also made its debut in the United Kingdom, with Richler and his family relocating to London to prepare for Gabriel Scott’s next chapter.

“Moving to London to expand the brand throughout Europe [has been one of the most memorable points of my career thus far],” notes Richler. Here, we chatted with the designer on how the move has been, as well as the one thing that we’d never find in his home.

You made the move from Canada to London to open the new showroom. How has living in London been for you? Has it offered more creative inspiration?

Scott Richler (SR): Of course, absolutely! Every day is full of inspiration and inspiring people. In fact, our showroom is located in Mayfair with every major gallery at our doorstep. London also affords me access to the rest of Europe and so many other parts of the world in just a few hours. Even over the past 18 months, I have managed to get to places I have never been and would not have had access to if I were not based in London.

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Could you give us a brief overview of the creative design process at Gabriel Scott?

SR: There are four of us in the design team at Gabriel Scott. Ideas are constantly exchanged casually in the studio or just pinned to the wall. This part of the process is very informal. Even though there are certain fixed design briefs throughout the year, the studio promotes a free flow of ideas.

What’s most interesting is how ideas evolve into fixtures. In the case of the Luna, for example, in the early stages, the Luna glass beads and the tubes were actually two separate ideas that were being developed independent of one another. It was only a little while into the process that they were blended to develop a single fixture. Another consistent focus during our design process is on how these ideas can be developed alongside the studio’s focus on modular lighting fixtures.

What is the mark of a well-designed lighting piece to you?

SR: Because a decorative light fixture does not respond to ergonomic constraints the way that furniture does, I believe it can and must explore the limits of sculpture. I don’t know if this answers the question, but I think that lighting can be compared to handbags and jewelry in fashion.

In that context, I believe that decorative lighting is blessed with that same freedom of expression. So I would judge a decorative fixture first by the quality of its sculptural appeal.

Pick one: bright colours or neutral tones?

SR: Neutral tones.

Complete the sentence: You’ll never see ____ in my home.

SR: A cat.

What are some inspiring designs you have been looking at lately?

SR: I still consider Italian architect Gio Ponti’s work to be so relevant and inspiring.

SR: I admire Gaia Repossi's jewellery range for its modern interpretation of a heritage brand.

SR: Gabriel Scott’s Welles glass lights. It’s become our signature piece and is celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2022.

SR: French painter Pierre Soulagés paintings for their impact through simplicity.

SR: Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson for his mix of geometry and experience. 

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