sophie lou jacobsen on italy, crystals, and blown glass craftsmanship

timeless pieces in classic materials

There is an allure to the design objects of Sophie Lou Jacobsen. The feeling that pulls you in has an air of mid-century nostalgia, the pomp and circumstance of an afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel. Her pieces are formed in silver, glass, crystal – all the materials found in our grandmothers’ cupboards, only to be brought out on special occasions. Yet what makes her work sparkle is its quotidian sensibility. The champagne flutes beg to be held when the clock strikes 5pm. The Porter, a silver toast rack, looks its best when stacked full of a freshly cut loaf.

Disco Aperitivo by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, set design by Maria Giuditta Vettese and Chiara Talacci, creative direction by C41 | photography by Alecio Ferrari

In conversation with sophie lou jacobsen

Talking with designboom, the French-American designer reveals the techniques and time periods that have come together to create her design language. When looking at Disco Aperitivo, her collection that debuted during Salone del Mobile 2026 in Milan, a delicate glitter emerges. ‘They’re applied Swarovski crystals,’ she reveals of the details that ooze a sense of eighties glamour. ‘Since the crystals are glass, it’s the exact same process as attaching glass to glass, but they are applied after the main form is made… Balancing decadence and minimalism was the push and pull of the process. The tableware is borosilicate glass, which requires an industrial process. I’ve worked with the same factory since starting my business seven years ago, and we figured out the crystal application together.’

‘I had been wanting to work with crystals for a while. It’s a motif seen in both historical decorative arts and opulent palace chandeliers, as well as in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, when crystals reappeared in a tongue-in-cheek but elegant way. I cross-referenced those eras to create something of my own.’ Her work was inspired by the Italian late afternoon aperitivo, where friends and colleagues come together after the workday for a wind-down cocktail, small bites, and a lively chat. ‘When planning a 70s-era disco event for Salone [del Mobile], it clicked. I created an aperitivo collection of tableware inspired by that period, incorporating crystals in a delicate and restrained way without being too over the top.’

Disco Aperitivo by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, set design by Maria Giuditta Vettese and Chiara Talacci, creative direction by C41 | photography by Alecio Ferrari

Disco Aperitivo by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, set design by Maria Giuditta Vettese and Chiara Talacci, creative direction by C41 | photography by Alecio Ferrari

The Italian artisans of disco aperitivo

For Disco Aperitivo, not only did Jacobsen build on her signature use of glass, she also incorporated pieces with copper enameling, a process that has fallen out of vogue in recent years. In creating the Styrx serving plates and the La Donna cigarette box, the designer turned to the expertise of Venetian craftsmen who held a deep knowledge of this technique.

While this collection came together through a close collaboration with skilled artisans, Jacobsen herself continually works to maintain an intimate, hands-on knowledge of craft. ‘While my tableware brand relies on industrial design, I have a separate practice creating unique, sculptural work directly with glassblowers. I’ve worked closely with a glassblower in New York for five years. We develop pieces together, learning each other’s design language and researching the history of glass and design movements. This process is highly educational, teaching me about pushing the material’s limits. Everything I learn in this craft-based practice feeds directly back into my industrial tableware production, bridging the gap between the two processes.’

Finding inspiration in historic spots

In tandem with this practical knowledge, Jacobsen’s work is informed by a researched curiosity about historical objects. ‘It’s a mixture of research and travel,’ she notes on where she finds inspiration. ‘I visit decorative arts museums, house museums, and observe city architecture. I also spend time in archives studying past decorative art movements, designers, and collectors. I constantly observe how people live to see where I can add flavor or flair, transposing those historical inspirations into contemporary settings.’

the Tulipa collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | © William Jess Laird

Bringing emotion to everyday objects

This attention to how objects have historically melded into everyday life is particularly evident in her Calla pendants and sconces. They have a gently curving, bell-shaped body, just transparent enough to let a warm glow of light come through. On opposite sides several half-circles embellish the piece. The light fixture blends into both historic and contemporary interiors, but it’s this little playful detail that makes it uniquely part of Jacobsen’s collections.

‘My work is not meant to be universal or strictly form over function. I’m not solving the world’s utilitarian problems; I’m bringing emotion into everyday objects. These items build the fabric of our lives and memories. The goal is to figure out how to use them as mood-altering devices that still function beautifully as utilitarian objects, bringing a little bit of delight to daily rituals.’

Disco Aperitivo by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, set design by Maria Giuditta Vettese and Chiara Talacci, creative direction by C41 | photography by Alecio Ferrari

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Disco Aperitivo by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, set design by Maria Giuditta Vettese and Chiara Talacci, creative direction by C41 | photography by Alecio Ferrari

Disco Aperitivo by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, set design by Maria Giuditta Vettese and Chiara Talacci, creative direction by C41 | photography by Alecio Ferrari

Disco Aperitivo by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, set design by Maria Giuditta Vettese and Chiara Talacci, creative direction by C41 | photography by Alecio Ferrari

Disco Aperitivo by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, set design by Maria Giuditta Vettese and Chiara Talacci, creative direction by C41 | photography by Alecio Ferrari

the Tulipa collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by Marco Galloway

the Tulipa collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by Marco Galloway

the Tulipa collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by Marco Galloway

the Continental Collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by Adam Friedlander

the Continental Collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by Adam Friedlander

the Continental Collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by Adam Friedlander

collections by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by William Jess Laird

collections by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by William Jess Laird

the Tulipa collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by William Jess Laird

collections by Sophie Lou Jacobsen | photography by William Jess Laird

installation view of Disco Aperitivo during Salone del Mobile 2026 | photography by Cristina Sinelli

installation view of Disco Aperitivo during Salone del Mobile 2026 | photography by Cristina Sinelli

project info: 

designer: Sophie Lou Jacobsen | @sophieloujacobsen