Interview with Marie-Aurore Stiker-Métral, product designer, about Guidole, a lamp inspired by bicycle handlebar tape.
When a bicycle detail becomes a design object
It all began with a scene, almost insignificant.
A speech during the presentation of the collaboration between Ligne Roset and Origine Cycles at the Palais de Tokyo. The discussion touched on the exchange of expertise, the intersections between furniture and cycling, and in particular the contribution of saddlery to bicycle design.
But for Marie-Aurore Stiker-Métral, it was one specific detail that shifted her focus from listening to intuition:
“When I heard about the soft-touch leather handlebar tape, hand-wrapped around the handlebars, I found it fascinating. It’s a gesture very specific to cycling, highly technical, yet also deeply sensual in its relationship with the material.”
This moment marked the starting point for Guidole. An idea that seems simple on the surface: transferring expertise from the world of cycling to a household object. But an idea that actually opens up a much broader field of exploration.
Revealing craftsmanship where you least expect it
What intrigues the designer is not just the aesthetics of the handlebar tape, but its status.
“It’s a Ligne Roset craft that you never see in a domestic object. It’s used here on a bicycle, but not in furniture. There was something to be revealed.”
In this approach, Guidole becomes almost a manifesto: showing a technique in a different light, offering it a new realm of expression.
The choice of the lamp gradually became clear.
“The lamp base offered both a large surface for expression and a direct tactile connection. You place your hand on a lamp, you move it… there’s a sense of intimacy.”
The act of wrapping then becomes central. Visible, legible, but also tactile.
An aesthetic built around contrast
Whilst the base asserts a strong identity, the rest of the lamp adopts a deliberately understated stance.
“I designed a very simple dome shape in opal glass. It’s a classic material for lighting, almost neutral. It captures the light and almost disappears, allowing the light to diffuse.”
This choice is not insignificant. It creates a subtle balance:
- on the one hand, an expressive, tactile, almost narrative material
- on the other, a refined, understated form
“The idea was really to let the lampshade speak for itself. In many lamps, the base is secondary. Here, it’s the opposite.”
This reversal of hierarchies gives Guidole a unique presence: a lamp that captivates as much through its details as through its overall form.
The invisible challenge: mastering the craft
Behind the apparent simplicity of the result lies a more complex reality.
“The first prototypes weren’t quite as successful. We had to refine the technique.”
Just like on a racing bike, fitting handlebar tape requires precision, consistency and experience.
The difficulty lies in several factors:
- the length of the leather strip
- the need for discreet joins
- the evenness of the wrapping
- the tension applied to the material
“It’s a task that requires real dexterity. Even in the cycling world, not everyone knows how to fit handlebar tape properly.”
This work reveals an essential aspect of the project:
Guidole is not only inspired by cycling, it also incorporates its requirements.
Between industry and craftsmanship
As is often the case at Ligne Roset, production lies at the intersection of industrial manufacturing and human craftsmanship.
“Even in highly industrialised processes, there is always an element of craftsmanship. On a sofa, on a chair… and here too.”
The wrapping of the leather cannot be fully automated. It requires a specific movement, attention to detail and controlled repetition.
“There was also a desire to pay tribute to this artisanal aspect.”
This link between gesture and object echoes that of a cyclist with their bike: a direct, physical, almost intimate relationship.
An approach guided by technique
The Guidole project perfectly illustrates Marie-Aurore Stiker-Métral’s approach.
“I often start with a manufacturing process, with a craft. That’s what allows me to find more personal forms.”
In a world where images circulate on a massive scale and trends spread rapidly, this method becomes a way to stand out.
“When you draw ‘from scratch’, you often end up with existing forms. The technical process, on the other hand, creates constraints that open up new paths.”
Guidole is thus less a form than a result: that of a gesture applied to a function.
The bicycle: a complete object
As the discussion progresses, one thing becomes clear: the bicycle is much more than just a means of transport.
“It’s an extraordinary object. There’s performance, there’s technology, but also colour, lines… a real aesthetic.”
For the designer, inspiration could go far beyond the handlebar tape:
- tubular structures
- triangular frames
- clamping systems
- mechanical components
“Anything that requires rigidity, strength, precision… can be applied to other objects.”
She even hints at future possibilities: furniture, lighting, structures… all areas where the DNA of the bicycle could find new expression.
A personal connection to cycling
Beyond the project, the connection to the bicycle is also a personal one.
“I love cycling. I love the bicycle as an object. There’s an incredible sense of freedom.”
She also speaks of her fondness for vintage bikes, historic French brands, and the elegance of the tubes.
A perspective that resonates with Origine Cycles’ approach, where the frame’s aesthetics and the precision of its lines take centre stage.
The importance of history
In a world saturated with objects, Guidole reminds us of one essential thing: an object never exists in isolation.
“History is fundamental. It is what creates attachment.”
A story made up here of:
- collaboration between two worlds
- the passing on of expertise
- repurposing
- artisan craftsmanship
And above all, a story that connects two worlds rarely associated: home
design and competitive cycling.
Coming soon to Ligne Roset stores.
Discover the world of Marie-Aurore Stiker-Métral on her website https://www.mastikermetral.com/
The Origine team is composed of experts, cycling enthusiasts, and practitioners in all disciplines (road, gravel, cross-country, bikepacking, ultra-distance, DH, etc.). The articles written by the Origine team aim to inspire, advise, and inform you to support you in your cycling practice.
