Hoopzï, founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Didier Finn and Marc de Beffort, seeks to democratize designer lighting. This year, innovation comes from an ecological inspiration... the launch of a collection of lampshades made from oyster shells.
Hoopzï specializes in manufacturing of portable lamps, customizable pendants and cords. All the lighting fixtures are designed to create a special atmosphere, to create an ambiance and last over time. When the time for more thoughtful consumption is inevitable, Hoopzï is launching an original project... to produce a capsule collection with the lowest possible ecological impact. Thus was born the first line of lampshades made from biomaterials made from recycled oyster shells! The creative team's goal is to develop lighting fixtures that respect the environment, are timeless but can evolve with lifestyles and desires.
Innovation in the service of ecological lighting
Without any ecological impact is the ecological challenge that the Hoopzï creative team wanted to address… a creation with good purpose. It was the meeting with oyster farmers from the Normandy and Brittany coasts that made this feat possible… the search for eco-materials was quickly sourced, the raw material being oyster shells. It was all the simpler since France is the leading producer, consumer and exporter of oysters in Europe. With some 130 tonnes of oysters on average per year, put on the market and with almost as much waste, the potential is there… this raw and natural material can be exploited in responsible recycling. The company immediately created an innovative production process, surrounding itself with expert partners, to create this line of bio-sourced lampshades.
Oyster shells are ecological and organic, they have incredible properties... after a transformation phase, they are transformed into grains of mineral bioplastic, resistant and durable.
Then comes the injection molding phase... under the effect of heat, the bioplastic granules are softened to liquefy. The liquid thus produced is injected into the Hoopzï lampshade mold, which takes the shape of the impression as it cools. The result is incredible, the material with its mineral feel immediately brings to mind lava stone or fine granite. It is very resistant and gives a natural and raw appearance, dotted with inclusions and imperfections that make it so charming and unique... just like each oyster, each lampshade is absolutely and naturally unique!
3 timeless and minimalist models
Hoopzï, in keeping with its commitment to lasting creativity, has chosen to create a minimalist, functional, and refined line. The collection's three lampshades are resolutely modern, designed to fit seamlessly into any room.
Ball, with its balanced silhouette, has the shape of a ball cut into two parts. One is an opaque shell made from oyster biomaterials, the other, translucent, is made from bioplastic derived from starch. This playful, designer light can be used as a pendant or table lamp. It is available in three colors (carbon black, natural, and ecru) and its price remains very affordable… 30 euros.
Dowry is a lampshade that's ideal as a small pendant. It has an elegant yet understated look, making it easy to adapt to any living space. It's available in two colors (carbon black and natural) and costs... 25 euros.
Cup, in the form of an organic and graceful saucer, is a light fixture designed as a true decorative object... it gives interiors an incredible singularity. Above a dining room or kitchen table, as a large aerial suspension, it immediately finds its place by personalizing the room. Available in two colors (natural and carbon black), it is... 70 euros.
Thanks to its commitments and its positioning on an affordable price range and a particularly innovative approach, Hoopzï was quickly able to convince to integrate the main online distribution networks… Amazon, BHV, Maisons du Monde, Leroy Merlin, La Redoute, etc. Thus, with this visibility and a nascent notoriety, the brand has already sold more than 13 products per year in France, as well as in Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, only four years after its launch.
Didier Finn, founder of Hoopzï, says: "We are delighted to be innovating in 2021 with this unique line of lampshades! Our beautiful Atlantic coasts are bursting with potential, and the oyster farmers we work with are delighted. Here, we are giving real use to their previously problematic waste. This Hoopzï innovation gives our story its full meaning today."
About Hoopzï
Hoopzï was created in 2017 by two seasoned entrepreneurs, Didier Finn and Marc de Beffort, professionals with some 40 years of combined experience in France and internationally in the furniture, decoration and retail sectors.
Hoopzï has a credo, a simple idea for a simple need… to create beautiful portable light points, to place or hang, for a completely affordable price. The ambition is complemented by a commitment and an ecological approach… to develop sustainable products, guaranteed for ten years and to use recyclable kraft cardboard packaging. From now on, Hoopzï is at the forefront of ecological innovation by manufacturing lampshades from recycled oysters made from natural bioplastic, or by using French linen to weave the cords of light fixtures. The bet is an immediate winner, the company has attracted many marketplaces… Amazon, BHV, Maisons du Monde, Leroy Merlin, La Redoute, etc.
André Tirlet
