We had the good fortune of connecting with William Guillon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi William, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have dreamed of being able to create on a daily basis and to live from my creation since I was 16, we were in 2006… At first it was a rather naive wish, I did not really understand what that really implied. I just knew that I didn’t want to work for someone else because I felt like I had things to say, to offer. I dreamed of financial independence but above all creative independence ! I officially launched my studio in 2014, just after my studies at 24 years old. And even I was already selling pieces by my own before the launch, it took me a few years to understand what it means to work in a “creative industry”, it’s an adventure!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started this project directly after my studies when I had no precise idea of ​​what I wanted to offer, I didn’t know the market at all… In fact, I didn’t know what I was currently doing ! I only knew one thing “I want to create”! The creative part was never a problem, I always had ideas and I hope I always will. The rule I set for myself was never to compromise creatively to always create what I wanted and try to sell it. And above all, never to imagine things that could be easily sold.
From there, obviously my evolution was slow and complicated. I must have met many players in this market to understand it better and identify it… What are the codes? Who are the prescribers? What are the expectations of customers? What are the price ranges? It took me several years before finally offering objects that have the right aesthetics and have real financial viability.
I don’t think I have an entrepreneurial nature but these are skills that I learned over time, from mistakes and false hopes. In this sense, I think my main quality is resilience and perseverance. I tried again and again.. And even when there was no hope in sight I continued to create and impose my universe.
All these challenges have reinforced me in the fact of developing a strong universe that resembles me without compromise. I never tried to fit into the mold of the “Design” world. I preferred to offer a personal and romantic vision of “Design”. I think one of my creative strengths today is my artistic direction, I never think of an object alone. I always try to stage it to give it context and project clients into my reality. I offer more than an object, I create a mythology, a spirit, a philosophy and I think that’s what makes the difference.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To be honest, I’m not the kind of person who travels or goes out for a drink… I work all the time and I love it! I almost never take vacations or days off. My life would have no meaning if I stopped working.
But when I take vacations (which is rare) I love to party, very hard! So I’ll probably bring my friends to a techno party to have fun and not think about tomorrow…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh gosh ! There’s so many !! We cannot succeed in “getting noticed” in this environment without having people who support us loyally! The first people I think of are the craftsmen who accompany me in the development and manufacture of my creations. Because they are the ones I see on a daily basis and with whom I move forward and push my limits in my achievements. Then, of course, I think of my clients, the galleries and retailers but also the private collectors who are present and thanks to whom I can live from my work today. Some of them have been there since the very beginning and have seen me grow and evolve both personally and professionally. These long-term relationships are essential to keep moving forward!

Website: www.williamguillon.com

Instagram: @william.guillon

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.fr/williamguillon/

Image Credits
Photos with Dark blue background Nicolas Seurot Others : Maison Mouton Noir

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