How is the line between contemporary design and savoir-faire drawn? Is it written by an inked instrument of precision, not to be undone by the workings of an eraser? Is it traced in bright wax pigment by a cedar wood pencil? Perhaps the boundaries of design are reworked and redrawn by the very tools that make up artistry itself. In a world of digital documentation, penmanship and the fine instruments of writing are forgotten and taken for granted, thrust aside for their keyboarded counterparts. For those with a genuine interest in the art of physical writing as more than a simple aesthetic exercise, Les Fulgureuses—the newest collaboration between Kévin Germanier and Caran d’Ache—emerges as a celebration of color and creativity.

With their first collaboration, Upcycling in Haute Couture, released earlier this year, GERMANIER and Caran d’Ache are continuing this audacious partnership through this dedicated collection. Les Fulgureuses represents a deep exploration into Kévin Germanier’s creative universe and reflects the dialogue between GERMANIER and Caran d’Ache. The pearl stands as the central motif, inspiring intricate patterned designs that adorn the entire collection. Spanning the 849 ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils, the guillochage of the Ecridor, the engraving on the coloured pencils and its packaging, the essence of pearls fuse the creative visions of both maisons.

“The entire design concept stemmed from a print I created in 2018 for my first collection,” Kévin Germanier says. “Which is particularly close to my heart as it represents the essence of Germanier.”

A flagship of Swiss manufacturing, Caran d’Ache has long developed the finest instruments of art and writing creation, of which Germanier has deeply rooted childhood memories. This collaboration is personal—one that features favorite colors, sustainable inserts, and the engraved GERMANIER signature.

At the heart of Les Fulgureuses are two 849 ballpoint pens also available as mechanical pencils, in neon green and pink, featuring a durable aluminum body and metal packaging, printed in the colors and design of the 849 on a holographic base. The iconic pearl motif embellishes the body, offering a playful tool of the sleekest design. Caran d’Ache’s classic Ecridor pen is reimagined in the Ecridor Germanier Gift Set, featuring guilloché engraving milled using a ball-end cutter inspired by Germanier’s beaded designs. Finally, the Set Couleur Germanier rounds off the collection with 13 colored pencils selected by the designer, packaged in a metal box, printed in shades from the color chart on the holographic base. Purchasing this set also grants the artist access to an online fashion sketching workshop class with Kévin Germanier.

Les Fulgureuses represents more than just a mere collaboration between a Swiss designer and his beloved tools of choice, it’s an artistic statement on precision and modernity, on function and creativity, and luxury and sustainability. Continuously pushing the boundaries on the very concept of fashion design, Kévin Germanier is redefining the idea of luxury through a commitment to sustainability. With this responsibility tied with avant-garde design, Germanier is a trailblazer in Haute Couture. His innovation begins with ideas. Ideas that are shaped and molded by the finest instruments and tools of precise creation, in order to blossom and expand the universe of human ability. The designer shares his vision of sustainability, his collaboration with Caran d’Ache, and Haute Couture inspiration.

What compels you about the art of physical handwriting as it relates to your creative world?

Handwriting is personal. In a world where everything is typed, shared, and edited in real-time, the gesture of taking a pen and putting something on paper feels radical. It echoes the very first act of design. Sketching a silhouette or writing down a though, it's the same connection between the idea and the paper.

In a world replete with 'greenwashing', how do you express a message of sustainability and clean products sincerely?

Sustainability isn’t a marketing tool for me, it’s common sense. Let’s be honest: fashion, as an industry, is not sustainable. But what we can do is make better choices. Even as a student at Central Saint Martins, I didn’t have access to new fabrics. I would go to thrift shops, flea markets, anywhere I could find forgotten or discarded materials. I wasn’t trying to be eco-friendly back then, it was simply how I worked, instinctively. It made sense to use what was already there, especially when it was beautiful, full of texture, and stories.

What was special about seeing your collaboration with Caran D'Ache on the Haute Couture runways recently? Describe the particular integration and how it was unique?

Entirely crafted from Caran d’Ache products, it brought together childhood nostalgia, Swiss craftsmanship, and a bold vision of the future. We collected used pens and pencils from Caran d’Ache boutiques all over the world. In my Paris atelier, my team and I transformed them, shaped them into beads, melted them into rings, reinvented their forms entirely. By the time they appeared on the runway, they were unrecognizable, reimagined as vivid, sculptural ornaments in pinks, yellows, blues, and oranges. What made it special wasn’t just the visual impact, it was the symbolism. We gave discarded materials a new life, without compromising beauty, elegance, or craftsmanship. It was a celebration of colour, of upcycling, and of how two worlds can merge to create something radically new.

What is something you learned about yourself that surprised you over the course of the last year?

This year I entered the world of Haute Couture. I’ve also realized I don’t need to compromise creativity for sustainability or vice versa. I can do both loudly, unapologetically, and with joy.

Tell me about the limited-edition collection with Caran d'Ache. What was your inspiration? Is it your first time designing stationary products?

I wanted to approach this collection like I would a Couture collection: with intention, detail, and emotion. The whole concept is inspired from a print I designed for my first collection in 2018 around the pearls. That became the heart of Les Fulgureuses. We used it as a pattern for the 849 pens and the Ecridor guillochage. It was a real dialogue. Caran d’Ache didn’t just ask me to add my name to something; they invited me into their universe. And in return, I brought mine. Together, we created something bold.