One To Watch

French lighting designer Olivier Abry of Wo & Wé first began making lamps and chandeliers from vintage and salvaged pieces. His elegant, industrial-style lights are now used in chic spaces all over the world

- Laura Vinden And Claudia Baillie

Q How did you first begin making lights?

I started by taking vintage and salvaged lamps that were no longer functioning properly and reworking them. I bought a lot on eBay, mainly from the USA, as I really liked that kind of industrial, mid-century style. My aim was to make pendant and chandelier lighting, as well as wall lamps, so I sourced the right kind of vintage pieces that could be transformed in that way.

Q Had you studied art and design?

No, I didn’t go to college, in fact, I’m self-taught. Initially, I worked for a shop in Lyon called Pier Import, which sells furniture, lighting, textiles, and decorative items, specializing in exotic import products from India, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Latin America, then after about 20 years, I decided to branch out on my own.

Q How did you then grow the business?