Collectible
Collectible
Previous
Next
Collectible, the fair for 21st century design.

© Uppercut

COLLECTIBLE In-Depth

UPPERCUT

March 2025

This series, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth, unveils the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of collectible design on the global design market, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth offers different views to suit all tastes. Today we speak with Scott Lippens, founder of Uppercut.

Back to Editorial

C: How did you get into collectible design? Why did you start your gallery?

 
Scott Lippens: Uppercut only started after a few years of contemplation on how I wanted to portray and market the gallery. After a while I realized, I didn’t want to start off with a physical space but rather function as an ‘off-space’. So, from doing every 2 months a new show in a new space that we rent for a few days/weeks to hosting dinners at my apartment with collectors and artists. One of the main reasons that I started a contemporary art design gallery was that I missed working with living designers and artists. Dealing vintage Italian pieces was a good learning school and supplied me with good contacts but I there was a lack for creativity and dialogue between the designers and the gallerist. Also, when I saw and witnessed what all young designers are working on these days, I believe the quality is in some cases even better than works from the past. It’s all so very sculptural and smart design that I thought this would be the right moment to add my own touch to the scene.
 
C: What have you been up to recently? What are the next projects/exhibitions you wish to highlight?
 
SL: For this year we have quite a busy schedule, in April we will have a space in Milan for Salone del Mobile where we will present new works of LS GOMMA and CONCORDE. All pieces based on the intimacy of a bedroom and with references to rooms of the castle of Versailles. After Milan we will organize a show in collaboration with COUR in Paris in June during fashion week and of course as usual we will host our summer show in a castle in Bruges.
 
C: Can you talk about the designers you present at COLLECTIBLE this year, what makes their practice/pieces unique?
 
SL: This year our scenography will be more extended as last year, so all pieces need to fit withing this frame. Some very exciting new pieces from Yoon Shun will be uncovered during collectible, a new series of wood veneer lamps. At the same time, we wanted to draw a line from last year, Nicolas Zanoni is making an enormous coffee table in the same material as the table we presented last year. Also, very excited to show some pieces from newly represented designers from Uppercut such as Illya Goldman Gubin & Soft Baroque.
 
C: Why is it important for designers to exhibit in a gallery rather than in their own studio?
 
SL: Most of the time designers don’t have the head space to also indulge in the sales of their work. It’s practically a full time job to focus on the sales part. Besides that we also have the more obvious reasons such creating more visibility and credibility. Being featured amongst more established designers can improve the reputation of the artists and designers. Also, most galleries invest a lot in scenography’s and curation where the works have more impact and meaning.
 
C: How do you discover new designers?
 
SL: The gallery is mostly representing emerging talents that are only a few years into their career. I mostly wanted to support these sometimes-unheard voices that were screaming for more visibility. For me, it’s impossible to have one specific vocabulary of style, being inspired by modernism to classical architecture and more futuristic elements. So, when scouting for new designers and artists to represent I’m always looking for someone where the oeuvre has its own distinguished style and signature. Not only bringing new ideas but also having a strong sense of identity. So overall I like a mixture of different styles and materials that provokes the audience.
Collectible, the fair for 21st century design.

© Pimtop

Collectible, the fair for 21st century design.

© Pimtop

Collectible, the fair for 21st century design.

© Uppercut

COLLECTIBLE In-Depth

UPPERCUT

March 2025

This series, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth, unveils the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of collectible design on the global design market, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth offers different views to suit all tastes. Today we speak with Scott Lippens, founder of Uppercut.

Back to Editorial

C: How did you get into collectible design? Why did you start your gallery?

 
Scott Lippens: Uppercut only started after a few years of contemplation on how I wanted to portray and market the gallery. After a while I realized, I didn’t want to start off with a physical space but rather function as an ‘off-space’. So, from doing every 2 months a new show in a new space that we rent for a few days/weeks to hosting dinners at my apartment with collectors and artists. One of the main reasons that I started a contemporary art design gallery was that I missed working with living designers and artists. Dealing vintage Italian pieces was a good learning school and supplied me with good contacts but I there was a lack for creativity and dialogue between the designers and the gallerist. Also, when I saw and witnessed what all young designers are working on these days, I believe the quality is in some cases even better than works from the past. It’s all so very sculptural and smart design that I thought this would be the right moment to add my own touch to the scene.
 
C: What have you been up to recently? What are the next projects/exhibitions you wish to highlight?
 
SL: For this year we have quite a busy schedule, in April we will have a space in Milan for Salone del Mobile where we will present new works of LS GOMMA and CONCORDE. All pieces based on the intimacy of a bedroom and with references to rooms of the castle of Versailles. After Milan we will organize a show in collaboration with COUR in Paris in June during fashion week and of course as usual we will host our summer show in a castle in Bruges.
 
C: Can you talk about the designers you present at COLLECTIBLE this year, what makes their practice/pieces unique?
 
SL: This year our scenography will be more extended as last year, so all pieces need to fit withing this frame. Some very exciting new pieces from Yoon Shun will be uncovered during collectible, a new series of wood veneer lamps. At the same time, we wanted to draw a line from last year, Nicolas Zanoni is making an enormous coffee table in the same material as the table we presented last year. Also, very excited to show some pieces from newly represented designers from Uppercut such as Illya Goldman Gubin & Soft Baroque.
 
C: Why is it important for designers to exhibit in a gallery rather than in their own studio?
 
SL: Most of the time designers don’t have the head space to also indulge in the sales of their work. It’s practically a full time job to focus on the sales part. Besides that we also have the more obvious reasons such creating more visibility and credibility. Being featured amongst more established designers can improve the reputation of the artists and designers. Also, most galleries invest a lot in scenography’s and curation where the works have more impact and meaning.
 
C: How do you discover new designers?
 
SL: The gallery is mostly representing emerging talents that are only a few years into their career. I mostly wanted to support these sometimes-unheard voices that were screaming for more visibility. For me, it’s impossible to have one specific vocabulary of style, being inspired by modernism to classical architecture and more futuristic elements. So, when scouting for new designers and artists to represent I’m always looking for someone where the oeuvre has its own distinguished style and signature. Not only bringing new ideas but also having a strong sense of identity. So overall I like a mixture of different styles and materials that provokes the audience.
Collectible, the fair for 21st century design.

© Pimtop

Collectible, the fair for 21st century design.

© Pimtop