Previewing: Lutyens lighting at Fortuny

This week, Fortuny is unveiling its latest collaboration with Lutyens Furniture & Lighting. It's a marriage of two heritage brands--Fortuny's textiles were the rage starting at the turn of the 20th century, and Lutyens as in Sir Edwin, the British architect famed for adapting traditional styles to meet the needs of the time (early 20th century) and masterminding a portion of the layout of New Delhi. For a quarter-century, his granddaughter, Candia Lutyens, has been making designs Sir Edwin would no doubt love. We snagged a few minutes with her in the midst of her travels across the country showing the collection.



How did this collection come about?
We have been making furniture and lighting for 25 years but were introduced to Fortuny by a designer who is a mutual friend to develop a lighting range together.


Both you and Fortuny have rich histories. Is it an advantage or disadvantage?
I see no disadvantage to having a heritage and I don’t feel “tied to the past” in any way. Our designs are completely timeless and as at home in a modernist setting as a traditional one.






Tell us about your grandfather. What makes his designs – and your own – resonate in the present? Is it the materials?
He was a great designer (pictured below), but sadly he died 15 years before I was born so I never knew him personally. I don’t think materials define the design particularly, as we only use the best. The main thing is the marriage of superb quality of design with unmatched quality of workmanship.



If you had to pick an all-time favorite design of his, what would it be?
I really love the Concentric Hoop chandelier (below) as it is so adaptable for so many spaces and so unique.





Can you name a few designers whose work you admire?
I am not really prepared to name favorites amongst my client base – anyone who has used us has perfect taste!