Charles Viancin is the creator and exclusive designer of the eponymous brand of fun and functional silicone kitchenware accessories that are inspired by nature.
5 questions to Charles Viancin.
Where did you get the idea to create a brand centered around kitchen accessories?
I wanted to dash into a new, ambitious project: adding a little flavor to the everyday life of people who spend a lot of time cooking by designing kitchen accessories that are playful but practical at the same time. Thanks to my prior experience in manufacturing silicone accessories*, I was able to start up CHARLES VIANCIN GROUP and then create my brand CHARLES VIANCIN ® where I started coming up with my own unique designs for kitchen accessories made entirely out of silicone and inspired by nature.
What are your sources of inspiration?
Nature is my main source of inspiration because, as a native of Haute-Savoie, I’ve always been fascinated with landscapes that take your breath away. The many strolls that I’ve taken with my children combined with my journeys abroad have also fed my inspiration time and time again. Every moment that I spend in nature offers me something new to sketch. I’ve found that by regularly drawing inspiration from nature, my life has become much simpler and much healthier. And to find new inspirations, I opened CHARLES VIANCIN GROUP’s new head office in the middle of nowhere, near Lake Annecy in the French Alps.
What is the first Charles Viancin product that you designed? And what would you consider to be the “best-seller” today?
The first product that I drew and created would’ve been the LILYPAD ® lid during some time that I spent in Asia. I was simply inspired by the exquisite form and sheer beauty of the water lily in bloom. From there the creative process gave birth to a high quality product, with a playful design, and quite affordable in price. Today, the airtight silicone lids are our “best-sellers”. They help meet the increasing need for healthy cooking and staple diets of good food.
Why use silicone?
Silicone is a natural and supple material which allows me to design products that are flexible and multifunctional. Silicone is easy to clean and unbelievably durable. It functions in extreme temperatures both hot and cold; thereby, making it safe to use in most ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, and dishwashers..
What are your big dreams for your brand?
To continue creating innovative designs with new themes and new products. And why not venture out of the kitchen and one day invest in fashion? I also dream of implanting my brand all over the world. In 2015, we celebrated 10 years of CHARLES VIANCIN GROUP and we already have hundreds of ideas for the next 10 years, but I can’t reveal everything just yet … See you soon for the continuation of our history!
*Charles Viancin was formerly a Director of Marketing for a silicone kitchenware manufacturer
