Paris — Some things became crystal-clear to me in this City of Lights.
Having been established in the 15th century, the Cristallerie Royale de Saint-Louis, considered to be a French national asset, reopened at the beginning of the 19th century. Bought by Hermès in 1995, Saint-Louis offers crystal products that are shining examples of French excellence. After 200 years, its glasses and goblets, lamps and chandeliers — all handmade — are still used on dining tables of elegant homes, imperial palaces and presidential banquets.
“Around the molten crystal, in a fury of flames and steam, begins the silent ballet of glassblowers, a blend of physical strength and gracefulness, where breath replaces speech.” Then, master cutters and decorators work meticulously on each drinking glass, teacup, decanter, chandelier, vase. These pieces can be passed on to many generations.
Jerome de Ravergnolle, president/director general, chairman, and CEO of Saint-Louis, is a most charming gentleman. His energy, warmth and enthusiasm must infect his employees, who were also very welcoming. (Rare in Paris!) The boutique displays collection after beautiful collection of crystals — from classic to contemporary.
Our conversation with Ravergnolle was both delightful and educational.
PHILIPPINE STAR: How does it feel to be responsible for a company with a noble history of craftsmanship?
JEROME DE RAVERGNOLLE: I knew that from the time I joined the company five years ago. This company was started in 1596, a brand which is 419 years old. It is important to be impressed by this history, not only to respect the past, but to invent the future. Use the techniques, use the knowhow, but each time invent something different.
How do you manage your designers and craftsmen, considering their opposing temperaments?
We use external designers to collaborate, to work together with our craftsmen. Continuously, it is not a fight, but it’s a position between two different people who have different ways of thinking. Craftsmen know what is feasible and what is not feasible in glassmaking. A designer imagines a product and makes drawings, but he has no idea if it is possible or not. At the beginning, it is a totally separate view on the product, but step by step, they find a solution.
Do you not worry that your products are expensive?
One hundred twenty euros for one glass is expensive, but I prefer to say it is “costly.” Everything in Saint-Louis is blown by mouth and cut by hand. The process of making one goblet takes 15 days. A small mistake and it is rejected.
Has the art of glassmaking in Saint-Louis changed after four centuries?
In terms of techniques, nothing has changed since the 19th century. What is different today is the production of the crystal itself. In the past, we placed wood in the furnace. Now, we use electricity and gas. No machines. Only people.
In fact, the factory is open to the public. We have nothing to hide.
You are not afraid that your competitors will see the process?
We don’t care. To be a good glassblower or glasscutter takes 10 years of practice to be allowed to do a collection. Even if competitors can see the work, they cannot repeat the same gesture.
Your designs are for mature and affluent customers. How do you make your products appeal to their children?
A brand like Saint-Louis is always from its time, for customers from seven to 77 years! Every year, we have a new collection, something contemporary. Today’s young people may not be interested in formal tableware. They prefer to mix formal and contemporary. We have a wine-tasting collection because younger people, especially in Asia, are interested in wine.
You mentioned that Asia is an important market.
Europe — France, Italy, Russia — and the United States are still much bigger. Today, Asia represents 20 percent of our market, but is becoming more and more important. The main interest is in lighting products, because Saint Louis works on “made to measure.” We make the lighting according to the size of your house…or palace. More and more Asian people like to have something better than the one in his neighbor’s house.
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The Saint-Louis crystals will soon be available at the 2nd floor of the Hermès boutique at Greenbelt.
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