Facelift for the family business that continues its bold production of fabrics made by designers. Vincent Thevenon wants to reinvent textile design by moving it into a modern landscape. An innovative vision.
Vincent Thevenon has textilienne fiber. Difficult to escape this genetic configuration when you go down a family of textile industrialists, which over the years has adapted to market needs. Since 1908, there has been great-grandfather Victor Thevenon, one of the first to engage in the manufacture of the famous lace Puy en Velay in Auvergne. Then the grandfather Frederick who took the reins and his wife Marie-Antoinette who had the good sense to specialize in the manufacture of embroidered curtains. And Olivier’s father who develops textiles that are printed and woven for furniture and a method of hand painted fabric that has also been a great success. In 1978, the family factory became a producer of furnishings and finished fabrics. At 38, Vincent Thevenon does not deny his roots. “I want to rest in the heart of my business which is textiles. But we always wanted to be outsiders when it came to our policy, pushing forward creators, which was a precursor. My father taught me not only a sense of color harmony but also French taste and know-how that is respected around the world. We want to be a high-end manufacturer, but accessible, offering quality products and services,” says the young boss, who played in the workshops as a child.
The brand’s DNA of ‘tradi-chic’ is no longer enough to satisfy all the desires of our customers. “We had all these beautiful Toiles de Jouy, worked on our designs, but this offer did not meet all the expectations. We had to give it a rehaul.” Vincent recognizes Thevenon. It is using the talents of designers that set him apart. The meeting with François Bauchet was crucial: “He did not know the world of textile but his point of view made us discover many things, including his way of exploiting faults.” The collaboration with designers continues with the painter Patrick Plattier, Nathalie Lete, Stella Cadente and Inkfabrik duo. Very different styles that breathe new life into the Collections. “We operate intuitively. We are a family business and can speedily develop projects. We are fortunate to be responsive and to master the whole process of weaving to manufacturing and finishing.”
In September, animal and floral motifs from Dans les Arbres et Villa des roses designed by Nathalie Lete complement the collections while Stella Cadente worked on the theme of the sun and witch mirrors. The brand also presents new seating together with fabrics made in partnership with Olivier Desforges for headboards in Thevenon. “Imagination is our only limit. It is a puzzle that is built with different parts in a complementary and harmonious universe, but the danger is spreading out in too many directions,” admits Vincent Thevenon. No risk. The manager keeps his feet on solid ground by offering a bespoke service that meets all the needs of his customers with access to over 2000 tissues in nearly 1,500 outlets in France and abroad. In 2015, he will participate in the first edition of Maison & Objet Americas to open new horizons for the four generations who have served Thevenon expertise.
