Photographer Sebastien Giraud – Talent Antoine Billore – Interview by Marco Martello
If you close your eyes and think about your childhood, what do you see?
I see my dog, Rafalle, a golden retriever. She was the best dog!
When did you start thrifting? And what’s the first vintage object you ever bought?
I remember going to flea markets with my mum when I was young, but I really started around 21 I think, the first object I ever bought for myself was a Lurcat tapestry with a big owl on it.
Growing up, who was your role model?
I would say my grandmother, she was so chic and elegant, and her house was full of vintage furniture and paintings.
Antoine, your Instagram bio reads: ‘Stolen objects from my exes’. How did you come up with this concept?
When I started the business, the idea was that I wanted to have fun with it, I wanted to sell vintage objects, in a fun way.
Thrifting is a great option when you’re on a budget but still want to add a personal touch to the space you live or work in. When furnishing and decorating, where should you start from? What’s the first piece you would think about and choose?
Chairs! I would start with chairs, 100%. It’s so complicated to find nice new chairs, when you have thousands of options with vintage. And let’s face it, we all need chairs!
You live and work in Paris. What’s one place in the City of Lights that’s special to you because of the memories it holds?
The Louvre, even with some jewellery missing (Smiles, E.D.)! I remember the first time I went, I was around 10 and shocked. So magical and beautiful.
Can you tell us an anecdote linked to one of the objects from your personal collection?
I have a pair of really well-painted 18th century portraits at home, two handsome men. I always made people think they were my great great great gay uncles (Smiles, E.D.).
Antoine, what would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Don’t worry, you’re going to be working on something that you really like.
You’ve recently announced the launch of your first ceramic collection. Can you take us through the making of these objects?
This summer I found a small ceramic workshop in Spain, owned by two brothers. We started developing the collection together: they’re mostly ‘botijos’, they’re all different animals, like a little family (Smiles, E.D.).
Taking a step back, do you have a piece of advice for all those who’d like to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t overthink it, just do it. You’re going to make mistakes, but you’re going to do better every time.
Lastly, what should we expect from you in the near future?
I’m going to do an installation for Salone del Mobile in April, and that’s a first for me. I’m going to showcase a collection of furniture I’m designing, with vintage elements. So, let’s hope it will be a success.
