A Conversation With A.G.V Atelier
A.G.V. Atelier was born from the shared vision of Almut and her mother, Gudrun Vogel. For years, the duo explored clay as a medium, searching for a language that could unite sculptural expression with a sense of timeless design. What began as an intergenerational dialogue between a seasoned ceramicist and a style-driven creative slowly evolved into a studio with a distinct identity.
Every lighting piece is the result of this journey. Entirely handmade, each object carries the marks of the artisanal process, the raw textures, the subtle irregularities, the quiet honesty of clay shaped by hand. Drawing on Gudrun’s four decades of ceramic expertise and Almut’s fashion-informed eye for silhouette, the duo crafts one-of-a-kind lamps that echo the enduring simplicity of Modernism while telling a story of craftsmanship, intuition, and legacy.
THE CURALIST: AGV Atelier has a unique story, can you tell us how it all began and what makes it a true family adventure?
ALMUT : My mother, Gudrun Vogel, was pregnant with me when she completed her ceramic studies in Germany in the mid-1980s. So in a way, I quite literally grew up surrounded by clay and kilns — yet, for a long time, I didn’t feel particularly drawn to the material myself. Instead, I pursued a career in fashion. Years later, while living on Rue Mazarine in Paris, I often passed by the galleries of Saint-Germain and became fascinated by French mid-century ceramics. Around that time, I was furnishing my apartment and thought — why not create my own ceramic lamps? During my next visit to my mother, I stepped into her workshop, and together we made Lamp No. 1. When it was finished, friends began asking if they could buy it, and soon we were making more lamps, experimenting with new shapes and ideas. As the interest kept growing, we decided to formalize our collaboration — and that’s how A.G.V. Atelier was born
THE CURALIST: Your pieces range from lamps to animal sculptures more recently. Where do you find inspiration for these creations ?
ALMUT : Our sculptural language has been shaped by modernist design, architecture, and the organic beauty of nature. In the beginning, we focused solely on abstract forms — exploring balance, volume, and texture. Then one day, my daughter asked if I could make a donkey lamp for her. That simple request opened up an entirely new direction for us. It inspired an ongoing series of animal figures that carry the same organic and abstract essence as our earlier work, yet bring a touch of playfulness and character to the collection.
THE CURALIST: Your work spans both fashion and ceramics. How do these two worlds influence each other in your designs, and do you see yourself focusing entirely on ceramics in the future?
ALMUT : Having worked in fashion for over fifteen years, my eye has been trained to appreciate beautiful materials and the harmony of proportions. I think that same sensitivity translates into our lamps — the way we balance form, texture, and light. I pay great attention to the fabrics we use for our lampshades. We work with exquisite cottons and linens from houses like Dedar and Rubelli, which bring a refined tactile quality and a sense of understated luxury to each piece. So far, I really enjoy how both worlds — fashion and ceramics — stimulate and enrich each other. But I can also imagine that one day I might focus entirely on ceramics, or perhaps explore something completely new within the broader field of design.
THE CURALIST: In a world of mass production, handmade and limited-edition pieces are becoming increasingly valued. How do you see the future of craftsmanship, and what role do you hope AGV Atelier will play in it?
ALMUT : At a time when everyone is talking about quiet luxury — which often seems to have become just another synonym for high-priced prêt-à-porter — I believe there’s a growing group of customers who truly value handmade pieces, created in the natural rhythm and limitations of a small workshop. There’s a deeper connection that forms with those who choose our work — we share not only a similar aesthetic sensibility but also an understanding of value that goes beyond price. It’s about authenticity, time, and the human touch behind every piece.
THE CURALIST: If you had to make a short list of words that define AGV Atelier what would they be?
ALMUT : le midi, sensuality, nature, collaboration, timeless elegance, blue hour, modernism
THE CURALIST: If you had to make a short list of words that define AGV Atelier what would they be?
ALMUT : Growing up surrounded by ceramics, I could never have imagined that one day I would return to those roots. Somehow, I had to move to Paris to rediscover the beauty in something so deeply connected to my own origins. It’s funny how life reveals your path in the most unexpected ways — sometimes you have to step away from what’s familiar to truly see its value.