La Rochère presents: the “550”, a glass for history designed by Matali Crasset
On the occasion of its 550th anniversary, La Rochère, the oldest European art glassworks, invited Matali Crasset to imagine a commemorative glass.
An internationally renowned French designer, Matali Crasset has embraced from the outset a design that is both artistic, social, and anthropological. Trained at Ateliers-ENSCI in the 1990s, she has spent the past 30 years developing a demanding practice, exploring objects, furniture, architecture, and scenography, always guided by a human and ecological commitment. Her creations are part of the collections of the Centre Pompidou and the MoMA in New York.
For La Rochère, Matali Crasset wanted to pay tribute to the founding gesture of glassmaking: the moment when a drop of molten glass falls into a metal mold. On the glass she designed, streams of material seem to flow down the cylinder, echoing that original drop, frozen and turned transparent. They create a play of reliefs and hollows that capture light, while interacting with the liquid inside, like tiny magnifying lenses. This approach celebrates both the magic of glass and water, the vital resource behind the establishment of the glassworks on the banks of the Ourche, in 1475.
« There is something magical in the transformation of glass, it reactivates our choice of being human, » explains the designer, who sees design as a living and collective process, a way of weaving connections between individuals and their environment. With this commemorative glass, she offers La Rochère a sculptural object that embodies its history while extending its roots into the contemporary world.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, elected officials, owners, executives, employees, partners, and friends of the company gathered to celebrate an extraordinary anniversary: 550 years of La Rochère, the oldest continuously operating glassworks in Europe. Home Fashion News was present to cover the event, marked by the inauguration of an exhibition retracing the history of this exceptional house.
An institution through the centuries
Founded in 1475 by the gentleman glassmaker Simon de Thysac, La Rochère has never ceased to showcase French glassmaking savoir-faire. Located in the north of Haute-Saône, at the crossroads of Lorraine, Champagne, and Franche-Comté, the glassworks has survived wars, economic crises, and technological revolutions, without ever abandoning its identity. Awarded the Living Heritage Company label in 2009 and Origine France Garantie since 2023, it continues to combine artisanal tradition with industrial excellence.
A celebration under the sign of transmission
In an emotional and proud speech, Gilles Ambs, CEO of the company, paid tribute to the generations of men and women who preserved the soul of the enterprise, carrying it further through three cardinal values: passion, respect, humility. He also honored Antoine Giraud, representative of the Giraud family, who directed the glassworks for over 160 years and made the strategic decision to automate production at a decisive moment, thus ensuring its sustainability.
A new chapter with the Tourres & Cie Group
Since 2021, La Rochère has entered a new era under the leadership of the Tourres & Cie Group, a renowned luxury specialist. This turning point has enabled the company to accelerate its diversification and strengthen its position in high-end markets and exports, which already represent 50% of production with a presence in more than 50 countries. More than €4 million have been invested in three years to modernize equipment and launch new production lines dedicated to premium and bespoke segments.
A future in motion
The strategic priorities for the coming years are clear: expand international presence, strengthen digital visibility, and multiply luxury references. A long-term project driven by employees and a new management team determined to combine heritage and audacity.
