This year, we continue to celebrate creativity and innovation with an exclusive proposal for Madrid Design Festival, specifically through a very special collaboration: ceramic artist Julieta Álvarez has created a unique installation in our storefront on Calle Santiago, in the heart of the Ópera neighborhood, Madrid.
With a concept centered around flowers and color, Álvarez has designed and produced a ceramic display that will transform the L’Atelier Ópticas space into a visually striking work of art over the coming months. Through this collaboration, L’Atelier Ópticas aims not only to showcase its designer eyewear but also to offer a unique sensory experience that blends art, design, and nature.
The XXL ceramic pieces frame and enhance their selection of eyewear, creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that invites action and enjoyment. The display also involved collaboration with ceramic artists Aktitude Cerámica and Arialfalfa Cerámica, who worked alongside Julieta Álvarez on the technical aspects and development of the installation. Together, they have created a proposal that stands out not only for its aesthetics but also for its technical complexity and its ability to transform the space.
Julieta Álvarez, known for her craftsmanship with ceramics and her passion for imperfections and organic forms, has taken a further step in her creative process by working on large-scale pieces that emphasize the aesthetic of nature. The fluid, monumental ceramic shapes not only capture the essence of her work but also integrate perfectly with the exclusive eyewear of L’Atelier Ópticas’ season.
Julieta Álvarez shares the details of the display she designed for MDF 2025
In this installation, you worked with large-scale pieces. How has the process of creating something so large compared to your previous, smaller jewelry works?
I usually work with smaller formats, typical of jewelry. Although this isn’t the first time I’ve worked in larger sizes, it has been a challenge to scale my designs. Calculating the weight, balance, and stability of the flowers as display pieces was a real challenge, which I developed as a team alongside my friends Raquel and Arancha from Aktitude Cerámica and Arialfalfa Cerámica.
What challenges did you face in merging ceramics, nature, and optical design in this installation?
One of the biggest challenges was highlighting the eyewear, as they are small objects compared to the size of the display. It was easy for them to be overlooked. The ceramic flowers needed to enhance, not overshadow, the eyewear and emphasize them within their context.
What message or feeling do you hope visitors will experience when viewing the display?
The design of this display aims to convey a joyful, positive, fresh, and light feeling — the arrival of spring.
Your work is very influenced by organic forms and imperfection. How is this reflected in your collaboration with L’Atelier Ópticas?
Imperfection is always very present in my work, as is the organic. Every project or collaboration I undertake involves experimentation, both technically and creatively. You never really know where it will take you.
How do you think your ceramic work complements and enhances the optical design of L’Atelier Ópticas?
One of the most interesting things I learned from this project is how ceramics can serve as a base that supports and highlights other objects, respecting their materials, textures, finishes, and details. This is why the centerpieces, where each pair of eyewear is framed within the flower, work so well.
Is there an artist, movement, or style that particularly inspires you at this stage in your career?
Lately, I’ve been really inspired by the surrealist works of artists like Leonora Carrington, Mercedes Varo, and Max Ernst.
What projects or ideas do you have in mind for the future that you’d like to explore within ceramics and design?
Right now, I’m really happy to be doing a small collaboration with the Thyssen Museum for the second time, in connection with their new exhibition on Marcel Proust, which will open in late February. I’m also working on another production for the Royal Palace — a jewelry collection inspired by its floral details, which is already available in their shop.
And a must-ask question: You wear glasses and work with them. What do you look for when choosing glasses, and which brands do you prefer?
Yes, I love wearing both prescription glasses and sunglasses. When working in the studio, I need prescription glasses for working with such small pieces. I’m really into vintage glasses and recycling old models. I’m a huge fan of brands like Nina Mür and Pontet.
The window display also benefited from the collaboration of ceramic artists Aktitude Cerámica and Arialfalfa Cerámica, who worked alongside Álvarez on the technical aspects and development of the installation. Together, they have created a proposal that not only stands out for its aesthetics but also for its technical complexity and its ability to transform the space.
At L’Atelier Ópticas, we are proud to continue being a reference in optical design, offering the best in quality, innovation, and aesthetics. With this collaboration, we are not only presenting a selection of eyewear but also celebrating design and art at their finest.
If you’re in Madrid during the Madrid Design Festival 2025, don’t miss the chance to visit our window display in the Ópera neighborhood and experience this unique creation.
Come and discover a one-of-a-kind fusion of art and design at L’Atelier Ópticas!
