Simone Bresele’s world is one where art, design, and craftsmanship effortlessly intertwine. From the sun-soaked streets of the South of France to the artistic allure of Rome, her creative journey is as rich and varied as the places she calls home. In this conversation, she opens up about the joy of creating ceramics, the beauty in imperfection, and the lasting inspiration she finds in both architecture and art history.
IRMA: What motivated you to create your own ceramics?
SIMONE BRESELE: Particularly in the South of France, I’ve visited many exhibitions featuring works by Picasso, Roger Capron, and other artists. In Nice, I had the privilege of visiting Jacotte Capron in her apartment, where, even at almost 90 years old, she still had a small kiln on her balcony and continued to create beautiful objects. She also showed us many stunning works by her late husband, Roger Capron, and shared stories about Picasso. These kinds of remarkable encounters leave a lasting impression.
IRMA: How has your work as an interior designer led you to make ceramics, and are there any parallels between the two fields?
SIMONE BRESELE: It’s wonderful for me to create my own objects, to define shape and colour, and perhaps already know where I want to use them. Initially, my background as an architect came through, and I focused more on geometric shapes. But over time, I’ve become freer in my designs.
IRMA: Which place in Europe inspires you the most when it comes to ceramics?
SIMONE BRESELE: The South of France, in particular, is full of inspiration. I immediately think of Jean Lurçat, Jacotte and Roger Capron, Jean Marais, Picasso, and several other artists. The spirit of these artists is still palpable there.
IRMA: You’ve spent the past year living in Rome, your summers in the South of France, and reside in the Allgäu – all very different places. How does this influence your work?
SIMONE BRESELE: Every place has its own character and way of inspiring me. In the South of France and Rome, it’s especially the light and the unique ‘savoir-vivre’. But Rome holds a particularly special place in my heart. Seeing the sculptures by Lorenzo Bernini is both a joy and a source of inspiration. The old palazzi, with their sculptures, frescoes, stuccoes, or opulent wallpapers, also serve as inspiration for my work as an interior designer. The Allgäu, which for me represents nature and tradition, is a creative retreat. The gratitude I feel for this reservoir of inspiration is reflected in my mood boards.
IRMA: How do you prefer to work, and when do you feel most creative?
SIMONE BRESELE: In Rome, I work in the studio of Riccardo Monachesi, an artist who, like me, comes from architecture. Initially, he would sometimes laugh at me: “La Tedesca,” where everything had to be perfect. From him, I’ve learned that imperfection has its own charm, and that sometimes, you just need to let yourself be surprised. At the moment, I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to be creative: hands in clay, conversations about architecture, new exhibitions, or delicious recipes – all in the inspiring city of Rome. It’s a dream.
IRMA: Your Munich apartment is filled with exceptionally beautiful objects and pieces. What criteria guide your collection, and what influences your choices?
SIMONE BRESELE: I follow my intuition and collect art that resonates with me emotionally or visually fascinates me. I value aspects like colour, composition, texture, craftsmanship, or even the story behind the object. My greatest joy is strolling through antique markets, always on the lookout for beautiful ceramic pieces, vintage furniture, Murano glass bowls, or something new that excites me.
IRMA: How do you find new ideas for your projects and ceramics? Is there something that particularly fuels your creativity?
SIMONE BRESELE: I often find new ideas through observations and inspiration from my travels. Special museums like the Fondation Maeght in the South of France, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna in Rome, or the Louisiana Museum in Copenhagen, continue to fascinate and inspire me.
About Simone Bresele:
Born in Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne, her curiosity and creativity led her to Paris after completing her A-levels, where she studied art history and interior design at the Sorbonne. After studying architecture in Cologne, she honed her sense of space and aesthetics at a planning office in Munich before establishing herself as an interior designer 20 years ago. Since 2018, she has incorporated her passion for ceramics into her work and is currently furthering her studies in art history at Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
