Partners in light.
Alex Joncas and Gildas Le Bars founded DARMES in 2016 and established their headquarters in Quebec’s Laurentians. Alex Joncas, Head designer, pushes the boundaries of his personal practice, interweaving the studio’s vision with his exploration of form, simplicity and the integration of a collaborative approach to design.
With insights gained from his past experiences, Gildas actively contributes to refining material sourcing, logistics, and operational workflows. Alongside a team of renowned designers and artisans, Alex and Gildas establish a culture of collaborative and innovative synergy.
A singular vision.
DARMES explores a unique frontier where functionality meets artistic sensibility, with a personal approach guided by a free and timeless vision. Conceived as artworks in their own right, the luminaires transcend their utilitarian role to create an atmosphere imbued with calm, reflection, and harmony. Each creation becomes a sensory experience, a silent dialogue between light, space, and emotion.
Artisanale & Sustainable.
Alex and Gildas hold a global vision where creativity and innovation are inseparable from environmental responsibility. Their commitment is notably demonstrated by a 90% local manufacturing process. Today, the studio is actively working to include glass recycling processes in its new collections, confirming this sustainable approach. DARMES’ material philosophy prioritizes the essential by eliminating any superfluous details, creating timeless pieces with a deep respect for materials.
Collaborative making.
Co-creation defines the philosophy at DARMES. Alex and Gildas orchestrate a unique process of curating talent, bringing together visionary designers and artisans. Will Choui for 1979 collection, Florian Martin for Doppler collection, Jeremie d’Onge for Gigi collection and Greta Jonckheere for the production of natural porcelain hyphen. This collaborative approach allows them to push the boundaries of materials and techniques, creating distinctive and unique lighting.