Persevere 05
Persevere with Tradition || Wax Atelier
Welcome to Episode Five in this latest series entitled Perseverance.
In May 2020, The Craft Council produced an extensive report on the Market For Craft (it is certainly worth a read). They reported on a new generation of craft makers and consumers - I couldn't agree more! A renewed respect for technique, the digital age and a desire for experience over transaction have all played their part in bringing craft and making back to the fore.
If you are looking for a masterclass in slow luxury, traditional craft, quiet understated excellence alongside a purity of purpose, aesthetic and style, you have come to the right place. Lola Lely and Yesenia Thibault-Picazo are the founder of Wax Atelier based in East London. They re-visit traditional techniques ranging from candle dipping and paper-making to crafted textiles using natural wax. This is a far cry from birthday candles on a Colin the Caterpillar cake, tea lights in jam jars and hastily collected candle stubs in a power cut. This is the magical majesty of the wax itself. They are quite the hit - they are currently working with Toast, Laura Jackson is a fan and they are stocked by a delightful list of considered and stylish stockists. Their star is most certainly on the rise.
Image Credit: Wax Atelier
Image Credit: Wax Atelier
Image Credit: @clementinedebray
Lola and Yesenia enjoy a shared sensibility of materials, making, experimentation and elegance.
I am going to find out more about how they met and the beginnings of the business, their approach to the making itself, the highs and the challenges, scaling and growing, Wax Works, new projects and their view on the key to perseverance.
I would suggest that you pop over to Toast and enjoy the video that Wax Atelier made with them earlier this year - it will leave you super keen to know more and with a lingering visual in your mind. Then you will enjoy this episode all the more.
““We borrow from tradition and use some traditional candle-making tools. But we also adapt. Much of what we want to do has not been done before so we have to find our own way, our own recipe.””
Photography @kim.lightbody_photography
Food styling @megandaviesfood
Prop styling @rachelvere
Published by @quadrillebooks