As the curtains close on another exhilarating Milan Design Week, the buzz from Euroluce 2025 continues to reverberate, with Lladró’s Cascade lighting collection stealing the spotlight. This breathtaking collaboration with British designer Lee Broom marks his first-ever brand partnership, weaving his modernist vision with Lladró’s storied porcelain craftsmanship. Unveiled amidst the vibrant energy of Salone del Mobile, Cascade reimagines the timeless glow of paper lanterns through geometric porcelain forms that transform with light. In this exclusive interview, Lee discloses his creative journey, from the spark of inspiration to the challenges of mastering a new material, offering a glimpse into the artistry and innovation behind this luminous collection.
KK (Kashish Kaushal): Cascade reinterprets the ancient concept of paper lanterns through porcelain, a material you’ve never worked with before in lighting design. What sparked this vision, and how did you approach translating the softness and translucency of paper into a modernist porcelain form?
Lee Broom (LB): The idea really began when I saw how light passed through porcelain. It reminded me of paper lanterns glowing with candlelight – soft, emotive, and timeless. I became fascinated by how I could evoke that same warmth and delicacy in a material that’s traditionally seen as more rigid and sculptural. My approach was to craft the forms into geometric shapes that still conveyed a sense of lightness. There is a balanced contrast between the hard geometry and the effect of the diffused light. I also wanted the designs to feel reminiscent of the ancient paper lanterns that inspired them, while also feeling very modern.
KK: Your work often blends theatricality and storytelling with functional design. How did this philosophy shape the Cascade collection—particularly the way it shifts from a sculptural white object when unlit to a warm, glowing piece when illuminated?
LB: The transformation from un-lit to lit is central to the narrative of the Cascade collection. It feels as though the designs have two personalities. When unlit, they’re pure and sculptural, almost architectural. When illuminated, they become warm and emotionally expressive. That duality is very important to me. The pieces aren’t static – they evolve with light, mood, and context.
KK: Visiting Lladró’s Valencia workshops must have been a unique experience. How did observing their traditional porcelain techniques influence your creative process, and what was the most surprising or challenging aspect of collaborating with their artisans?
LB: It was inspiring to witness the artisans’ attention to detail and the history embedded in every process. Porcelain can be so unpredictable, especially when trying to create sharp, geometric forms with precision. That challenge pushed me to think differently and adapt my designs to the material. The Lladró artisans’ ability to bring my designs to life, while preserving the integrity of their craft, made it a creatively rewarding experience. Also I feel that when you are working with a craft you are unfamiliar with, it is worth taking on board all the information you have seen and then forgetting it at the same time. That naivety can bring about very interesting ideas.
KK: This is your first-ever brand collaboration, and it’s with a heritage porcelain house like Lladró. What made this partnership the right fit for you, and how has working with their craftsmanship expanded your perspective on lighting design?
LB: This is my first lighting collaboration. When Lladró approached me, I felt they were the perfect partner because they represent a combination of tradition and innovation. Their openness to experimentation, paired with their centuries-old expertise in porcelain, allowed us to truly push the boundaries of what lighting can be. It expanded my thinking about materials and how something so historic can be reimagined through a modern lens.
KK: The vertical connectivity of the Cascade pendants allows for endless configurations. What inspired you to design a collection that invites such personalization, and how do you see this flexibility enhancing the emotional impact you aimed to evoke?
LB: The idea of personalisation came directly from how paper lanterns are often strung together during celebrations, forming joyful, luminous trails. I wanted Cascade to echo that both visually and emotionally. Allowing the pieces to connect vertically and be configured in different ways gives people the freedom to create their own story with light. I think that flexibility makes the design more intimate and meaningful.
KK: India has a vibrant design scene rooted in rich craft traditions and bold innovation. As a globally influential designer, do you follow Indian designers? Do you have any favorites and is there potential for future inspiration or collaboration there?
LB: I think what Klove studio is doing is very interesting, they have a strong point of difference and for me any brand or designer with a point of difference is always the most interesting. I love designers who take the richness from their own craft and heritage and create something very contemporary with it. It seems a very obvious thing to do but it is incredibly sensitive and difficult to get just right. I plan to visit India early next year, this will be my first time visiting and I am very much looking forward to soaking up the design scene which I’m sure will be incredibly inspiring and yes, any opportunity to collaborate is very appealing to me.
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