During the recent London Design Festival I luckily managed to pop into Anthropologie, Regents Street, to see talented Parisian artist Florence Balducci work in the store’s window.
It was a really short encounter but, for me, it was so enriching and inspirational.
Florence, hugely talented, spent 20 years in art direction at advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi in Paris, before she turned illustrator and ‘professional visionary’ (according to Anthropologie). Florence mixes different techniques and medium for illustration, ceramic and textile.
Meet Florence.
Passers by were treated to some wonderful black and white illustrations. Here Florence used some wasara biodegradable paper tableware from japan.
There is a real sense of vintage and mystical imagery here. It reminds me of the world of Tim Burton and a touch of Aubrey Beardsley. How beautiful are these?
Lovely touch of using black and white MT tape on the table lamp.
Window drawing.
Ceramics and more of the wasara biodegradable paper tableware from japan made the window installation feel homely.
These black and white botanical illustrations and folk-inspired animal drawings are screen-printed on to both sides of the cotton-and-silk cushions and are a collaboration between Anthropologie and Florence.
Some of Florence’s tools of the trade.
How inspirational is this? Some pages from Florence’s sketchbooks.
Florence is definitely a professional visionary and it was an honour to meet and spent a little time with her. I hope we will meet again very soon. Merci Florence! À bientôt…..
This post will stay live until Monday 3rd November.
14 Comments
I love this! I don’t think I’ve seen her work before, or maybe I have and I don’t remember, either way thanks for the intro.
It so great to see people doing what they love and sharing it with the world.
Those plate are stunning!
I know. Florence is super talented and I hadn’t seen her work before either. When I saw this advertised in the LDF guide, I knew I had to go and see it for myself. Made it at the very last minute… I was so chuffed to have met Florence and seen her work first hand.
The plates are absolutely stunning! x
Oh Tina I love her work. Stunning and intricate – beautifully done. Happy week to you,
Axx
Thank you Anya. It’s special indeed. You’re right, it’s intricate and so whimsical and fantastical at the same time. Pure beauty!.
Happy week lovely Anya xx
Wonderful stuff!!
Thanks for introducing her Tina.
Amazing, right? Glad you like it.
A pleasure….
A ‘professional visionary’ – now that’s a new one on me 😉 What a curious assortment of works. I think I like the sketchbook most – beautiful detailing. Thank you for capturing and sharing xx
Well, I see what they mean. Florence isn’t simply a graphic artist or illustrator. She’s so much more and works with ceramics and textiles. I like the ‘professional visionary’…
Yes, the sketchbooks were gorgeous. It’s always a very intimate part of an artist. I think I overwhelmed Florence when I asked to photograph a page and I understand why. I’m very greatful to her that she did allow me to take a snap.
My pleasure. xx
I haven’t heard of her before so thanks for the introductions. I really love what I see and how she displayed it. What an honour for you to spend some time with her. Big hugs! Mel x
Glad you like Florence’s work. It’s really very special I think.
Thanks Mel xx
How whimsical! The plates are my favourites. I love how she combines Japanese and western contemporary styles. Does she also have a shop, because in that case I’m putting her on my list for my next visit to London.
Hi.
Yes, I adore the plates and I also love that fusion between Japanese and contemporary style.
Florence lives in Paris and as far as I know has no shop:-(
You can buy some of her pieces at Anthropologie… look on their website!
Her illustrations are beautiful and quirky. I love that beetle with the armour. Thanks for sharing Tina xD
A great talent. Thanks Doris x