Selected by the jury of Nimagine, the creators and contemporary art fair which takes place from November 9 to 17, Alexia Arnault, passionate about art and candles, found the time to answer a few questions between two brushstrokes, in front of its future boutique which will open at the end of November at 1, rue des broquiers.
” LThe month of November is the month of hell”says Alexia Arnault, a young designer from Nîmes with a smile. “I set myself a big challenge with a store to completely renovate and fill and a 9-day show to do..” This show is that of Nimagine, which is held from November 9 to 17 and which has brought together creators and artists since 1972. Selected by the jury, Alexia Arnault will present her handmade candles in the dedicated space to Young Creators.If I hadn’t won, I don’t think I would have been able to exhibit“, admits the young woman, who began her activity at the ancient Roman games market and at Jeudis de Nîmes this summer.
Creations that match the city
The name of his brand? Helios House. ” House is for the warm side and Helios because he is the God of the Sun. It gives meaning to my project because we are in the South, all the products I use come from the South and because it recalls Antiquity “, explains Alexia Arnault simply. Having worked in real estate and former Miss Alès (2018), “she returns somewhere to her first loves“, specifies Sydney Rey, her companion. That is to say the History of art, which she first studied at the Lycée Daudet then at the university in Toulouse. Her project has its place in Nîmes since the designer finds her inspiration in Romanesque style. The candlesticks and candles therefore take poetic forms such as those of antique statues, the Corinthian columns of the Maison Carré, and other buildings. In total, twenty-five models with. as a bonus “a new concept: candle sand that can be put in any type of container“.
Originally from Vézénobres, Alexia Arnault sailed in France and abroad to Paris where after several experiences, she became aware of things. “I wanted to do something with my hands that I love. I was tired of selling things that didn’t align with my values.” Its values are the creation of products with local raw materials, respectful of the environment, health and animals. Its candles are thus made from “natural olive oil, with products without CMR* agents, not tested on animals and scented with scents specially developed in Grasse“, for them.
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Alexia Arnault, Miss Alès 2018: “My amazed eyes are in Paris, and my heart is in Vézénobres”
But Alexia Arnault and her candles give off a different scent than those of Grasse: that of human warmth. “Just see it on a stand “, adds his companion, “cWhat she looks for in commerce is exchange, interaction.“A know-how that is palpable when you come into contact with it and is essential to nourishing commerce in the city center of Nîmes.
*CMR: products with carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic effects for reproduction
