Xavier Dupuy, the founder of Bassines, explain his choices in positioning of his new brand.

After 30 years with La Cornue, why did you decide to launch a project that is so different in many respects, in terms of markets, company size and products?

After my 30-year stint with that prestigious French luxury house, I chose a very different project. But my values are still the same: a taste for beautiful, exceptional and timeless objects that will last longer than a lifetime, and for personalization in the smallest detail so as to feel entirely at home with them. Also the strength and presence of pure, solid metal.

Today, Bassines is offering an exceptional line of made-to-order metal washbasins with thin edges for bathrooms and other “wet rooms.” Nothing really exists in this field on the market, for the simple reason that it’s very complicated to produce in small quantities.

Why did you choose the name Bassines?

I wanted a brand name that was simple and easy to memorize in relation to its concept and identity. I wanted something that sounded French but that would also work in English-speaking cultures.

I wanted this name to reflect the combination of French heritage and 21st-century design that we want to embody. Bassines is a nod to the traditional metal farmhouse pan, in a precious, contemporary form that produces an element of surprise.

What does Bassines bring to the existing micro-market of metal basins?

Bassines is an event in a micro-market where nothing has happened for 40 or 50 years. We have changed everything: the shapes, the materials, the surface finishes, the technology, the personalization and the image, thanks to our strong design.

What’s more, Bassines is 100% innovative when it comes to enjoying the countless qualities of metal without any of its downsides.

What markets are you targeting?

Exceptional markets, I would call them, a tad provocatively, but on a global scale these can be quite substantial ones.

We are interested in all private projects: Premium +, luxury hotels, spas and sports centers looking for something different from the vast and familiar array of bathroom fittings that are available today.

Installing a Bassines washbasin transforms a bathroom or cloakroom into an exceptional, eye-catching setting, through its presence, its reflections and its comfortable shape and size.

We strive to achieve this spectacular result, which will retain its visual appeal without the least wear and tear, even after decades of intensive use.

The aesthetic concept of the project is very clear, but where is the innovation?

Innovation is everywhere at Bassines. We are the owners of our basin molds, which are patented designs. We apply a surface treatment, using a high-temperature vacuum process, to a very hard metal, 316 stainless steel, rendering it seven times more resistant. This special treatment eliminates all the disadvantages of metal, making it permanently scratch-proof and rustproof while retaining its shine.

We have also invented an invisible overflow device (patent pending).

What are your plans for development?

Firstly, my associate Laurent Besseas and I want to promote our brand’s first bathroom products, including the Narcis and Barn collections, and make it a benchmark in this niche product sector.  

In a year or two we may go on to produce original, elegant kitchen sinks – but to quote Aristotle: “well begun is half done.”