Audrey & Delphine Le Poupon

From legend to luminous

• Ys Paris opened its workshop & showroom in 2017
• It is run by a sisterly duo with a shared love of the sea
• They only use French abalone shells

Ys Paris is the vision of two sisters: master mother-of-pearl artisans Delphine and Audrey Le Poupon. Their workshop is named after the myth of a lost Breton city called Ys, that is said to have been so beautiful it even inspired the naming of Paris. It’s easy to imagine the lost inhabitants of this mythical French Atlantis enjoying the designs of Ys Paris – the jewellery and wall decorations, the carefully worked shells. The Brittany region and its inspiring nature are a vital part of Ys Paris. Delphine and Audrey are committed to an environmentally responsible art that promotes the beauty of their locally sourced French abalone shell.

Interview

©Ys Paris

©Ys Paris

Why do you use mother-of-pearl?

The sea has always been a part of our lives and the ormeaux (French abalone) are very much our 'Proust's madeleine', a trigger of memory. Our grandfather was a maritime guard, our father was a naval officer and the ocean remains a constant theme.

Where do tradition and innovation intersect in your work?

France has a long tradition of mother-of-pearl artistry. Where we innovate is our focus on the environment. Most mother-of-pearl artisans import shells from afar; we use only locally sourced abalone as well as environmentally friendly, organic resin.

What inspires you to create?

Definitely nature. This could be anything from a flower, like our camellia which has regional connotations or a wall decoration in a wave pattern, for example. We find much of our inspiration with marine and nature themes.

What do you love best about your work?

Our connection with the region. People bring us their shells and are proud to do so, as we find value in an object which used to be considered waste. Our workshop has made people newly aware of the worth of a regional material.

Audrey & Delphine Le Poupon are rising stars: they began their career in 2017 and they started teaching in 2020

Works

©Ys Paris

©Ys Paris

©Ys Paris

Where