#3 Julien Hauchecorne
Julien and I go way back, long before our creative ventures—at least 15 years. Back then, he was an antique dealer, and I was still in the business of restoring and selling old paintings. As life sometimes plays out, he was originally the best friend of one of my dealer colleagues, but in the end, we became closer than they ever were. That’s just how it goes.
After countless early-morning flea markets and antiques fairs together, we started talking, and it quickly became clear that neither of us was really in it for the long haul. I was slowly beginning Blase, and he, after spending so much time around cabinetmakers, felt the urge to create.
Julien has an exceptional knowledge of classic furniture. Good luck trying to trip him up on 18th-century cabinetmakers and bronze artisans or spotting a German Brutalist piece before he does. He’s incredibly curious and, for the past 15 years, has explored every corner of creation—furniture, sculptural pieces, ceramic work, tapestry, marquetry, and complex joinery. He has his own style, always seeking the perfect fusion, finding what’s modern within the classical. And by that, I mean what is truly timeless—the essence of things.
Combine that with a genuine love for craftsmanship, the mastery of a skill, and you have Julien. I’m proud to count him as a friend. He’s always had my back, especially in rough times—and there have been more than a few. I hope he finds fulfillment in Japan, where he’s spending more and more time, learning the craft and skills of pottery under Japanese masters.
See you soon, my friend!
