Le Klint

Le Klint is a lighting manufacturer based in Denmark, founded by Tage Klint. At the time, illumination was reliant almost entirely upon oil lamps. Based on the need for better lighting in Danish homes, the architect and engineer Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint designed a lampshade for a stoneware petroleum lamp. Jensen-Klint needed a shade to diffuse the sharp light of the flame and, at the same time, direct the light while still keeping the paper away from the hot glass of the lamp. And so, inspired by Japanese origami, the iconic Le Klint cross-pleating technique was born. A team of friends and family members worked hard to refine this new shade and, in return, received one as a gift of gratitude for their time. 1943 was the year the Klint family handicraft became a real business led by Tage Klint.

Today, the brand is still known for its iconic shades, while mixing contemporary styles from up-and-coming designers with its traditional styles and methods. Le Klint utilises locally sourced materials from Italy, except for their glass and cables, and their plastic foil shades are 100% recyclable. These shades can be sent back to Le Klint, where they are broken down and used for drain pipes. Le Klint also now offers a repair service, and has confirmed that each individual part of their lights can be replaced. Since its original launch in 1943, Le Klint has grown to provide a variety of lighting solutions, even offering two different shade materials and a variety of wooden finishes.