There’s a new dimension to Ralph Pucci International.
The family-owned showroom for luxury furnishings, sculpture, paintings and photography recently purchased David Weeks Lighting — and is open-minded to further acquisitions.
“There are so many great young designers having lots of problems dealing with the economy and everything they have to do running a business,” said Ralph Pucci. “We’re hearing they’re so frustrated. So if there’s something out there that is really right for us, our eyes are open.”
Ralph Pucci International displayed David Weeks lighting from 2002 until 2012 when Weeks decided to go out on his own.
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But last year, Weeks expressed interest in rejoining the gallery and met with Michael Pucci, Ralph’s son. “At that point I said we don’t want the old band back together playing the same notes. If we did something, it would have to be radically different,” said Michael.
On Wednesday, the Puccis sat for an interview at the Ralph Pucci International gallery, 44 West 18th Street in Manhattan, to discuss David Weeks Lighting — the company’s first acquisition — and what it means for their business, which also operates showrooms in Los Angeles and Miami.
“David will come up with an idea and has to work within the Pucci aesthetic, which is clean, modern, timeless, with an original point of view, and high-end,” Ralph Pucci said. “He was one of our biggest selling artists and designers for 10 years. He was always influenced by midcentury modern design. He’s grown from that. It was a very contemporary collection but over time it’s grown to become timeless and classic.”
In an organic, unforced way, Pucci has created a dedicated David Weeks Lighting studio, assembling each piece to order, within Pucci’s 16,000-square-foot sculpting studio and factory at 44 West 18th Street. While Weeks’ works are mostly in metal, some with glass, the Puccis said it’s possible for Weeks to explore working in other mediums, such as wood.
An official relaunch of David Weeks Lighting is set for January, with about 10 pieces to show. The collection includes sconces, floor lamps and chandeliers, ranging in price from $2,000 to $30,000.
The David Weeks Lighting acquisition is another step in the evolution of the Pucci firm, which was founded as a mannequin repair shop in 1954 by Ralph’s father, a plasterer, and Ralph’s mother, who created wigs. About 26 years later, Ralph Pucci started producing highly stylized, upscale mannequins, not only designing in-house but also calling upon famous creators for designs, such Andrée Putman, Kenny Scharf, Ruben Toledo, Rebecca Moses and Anna Sui. Mannequins were also cast from supermodels like Veruschka and Christy Turlington.
In 1990, Pucci began showing high-end furniture by leading creators, starting with Putman and followed by Chris Lehrecke, Patrick Naggar, Herve Van der Straeten, India Mahdavi, Eric Schmidt, Jim Zivic and others. Eventually, sculpture, photography and lighting were showcased, while mannequins became a smaller part of the business. Ralph Pucci International is now a type of cultural center where artists, designers and retailers gather for openings.
When Weeks left Pucci to go out on his own, he opened a store in SoHo, started creating toys, and branched out from lighting. “He didn’t want to be just typecast as a lighting designer after 10 incredible years with Pucci,” Ralph Pucci said.
Then a harsh reality set in.
“I felt like for the last 10 years I’ve been running a manufacturing company and designing lighting on the side,” said Weeks. “As an artist, it’s become exhausting to fill orders and track inventory. Working with Pucci will now allow me to just be creative again. It’s something that, as an artist, you only fantasize about. There’s such kismet between the two companies.”
While the acquisition occurred earlier this year, the Pucci family kept it quiet until this week. Michael Pucci said, “We wanted to put a lot of pieces together before we decided to go public with this,” such as closing the David Weeks showroom, deciding which Weeks employees to retain and preparing the Pucci team.
“Lighting is a strong business as long as you’re able to keep your inventories under control,” Michael Pucci said. “People do spend on lighting. If you’re moving into a house and you want a real statement piece, you’re likely to spend on a ceiling light or chandelier.
“This also opens us to a new audience, an audience we had while David was with us, but as the gallery continues to go in a collectible direction, this opens the door to people who love design and to a new price point.”
Ralph Pucci added: “David was a big star at Pucci. And that’s why this is such a natural comeback for us.”
