We return to Paris to find out more about Eimear, the person behind argot_studio. His aesthetic sensibility is also represented in his home, where he invites us to tell us how he came to Paris.
We talked about how her father, from Ireland, helps her to materialise her designs in wood, and how she follows her own path by dedicating herself fully to her project.After our first meeting in February, we established a new beautiful relationship with Eimear that allowed us, a few months later, to have the pleasure of working with her in the organisation of our brunch in Paris.
NT - How would you define yourself in three words?
ER - Curious, loyal and resourceful.
NT - What is your favourite building in Paris?
ER - La maison Verre by architect Pierre Chareau.
NT - Which artist do you admire the most?
ER - Eileen Grey, my Irish idol.
NT - How do you imagine the future of design?
ER - I think we are starting to relax a little bit in a positive sense when it comes to design. More value is being placed on what is designed and made locally, so things are becoming more interesting and unique.
NT - What is your creative process like and what do you enjoy most about it?
ER - I really enjoy the idea part, dreaming about what it could become. Then it has to become something real, which is a real challenge. This is the part where I say to my father "I want to make this table", and he says "Yes? It's not going to be functional...". But there is always a solution and we find a middle ground.
NT - What do you want to convey with your work, where does the inspiration come from?
ER - I want to make things that people really enjoy for a long time. I think I've definitely been inspired by the passage of time in France. I'm addicted to brocante (French flea market) and sometimes I come across pieces by French designers like Charlotte Perriand, which may have been designed 70 years ago, and which to me are still beautiful and interesting today.
NT - Why did you choose to work with wood?
ER - It was an obvious choice, considering that my father works and has always worked with wood. Personally, wood is my favourite material, because of the texture and warmth it brings to the space. I love the contrast between a design that on paper can be minimalist or, on the contrary, brutalist, and then becomes a warm and palpable piece when it is built in wood.
NT - Who is your favourite designer?
ER - I love following Ana Kras and her work.
NT - Who would you particularly like to work with?
ER - The list is long. I am totally open to collaborate with other young designers and brands. Thanks to platforms like Instagram we can easily communicate and support each other.
NT - What other projects are you currently working on?
ER - I am currently working on the next series of oak pieces with my father, as well as other new and varied projects thanks to Argot, such as more 3D printed objects, as well as artistic directions and collaborations with other designers and brands.
NT - We are going through a time of change in terms of what it means to be a woman, how do you think this affects you in your day-to-day life?
ER - I think the thing is that it doesn't affect my activities because now we don't have to think before we do the things we want to do.
NT - You recommend us:
A book
A restaurant
ER - Canteen, Rue Marie and Louise in the 10th arrondissement of Paris.
A film
ER - Luca Guadagnino's 'I am love', filmed in the beautiful Villa Necchi in Milan.
A place
ER - Donegal, in the far north of Ireland.
When would you wear the clothes you are wearing in the photos?
