Mlle Jo: sustainable furniture design
Founded by fashion industry veteran Joan Bebronne, Mademoiselle Jo stands for a celebration of tradition, sustainability, and mindful production. With pieces crafted with meticulous care in Belgium and other European countries, they strive to create a harmonious blend of heritage and modern technology. Employing their chosen materials of wood, steel, brass, and leather, these goods are designed to be versatile and last through generations. Through a one-on-one interview, Bebronne shares the inspiration and passion behind her exquisite creations. Overall, Mademoiselle Jo’s furniture design journey is centered around their commitment to tradition and ecological responsibility.
Background
Drawing upon my 25-year experience working as an artistic director in one of Europe’s largest textile manufacturing companies, I was driven to pursue a new journey in the form of launching my own furniture design studio—Mlle Jo. From a fashion-oriented background, my passion for precision and detail ignited my desire to explore a different creative outlet; though jewelry initially enticed me, a deeper calling drew me to the world of furniture design—allowing me to produce practical, function-driven objects that become an essential part of our lives, rather than simply decorative adornments.
Design philosophy guides
Mademoiselle Jo’s commitment to natural and enduring materials, slick and intelligent design, and an unwavering attention to detail was established right from the start with my initial three creations: a spinning top-like hanging console, an origami-inspired round separable table and stools decorated with brass inlays. Our central ethos maintains Purity and Minimalism. The idea for the Toupy Collection, a Mlle Jo studio staple, was conceived on a trip to Slovenia. While there with my son, I was instantly drawn to the tops in a wood toy store and then noticed a bird on a suspended feeder.
This melding of images ultimately gave birth to the Toupy. The real journey then began – the design and development process. I went about it by making a quick sketch of my own and began planning a model – usually made from cardboard or papier-mâché – from which technical considerations were taken into account prior to constructing the prototype. The Toupy Collection demanded that we select turned wood to achieve its special curvature – however making the entire piece from one block was not optimal. This was mainly due to the risk of warping and to account for the hanging bar. Thus, we opted to assemble distinct pieces together based on the wood grain and ensured its sturdiness and the beauty of the natural material.
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