Creative Studio Matière Noire Is the First Recipient of the Initiative to Foster New Talent and Entrepreneurship
The Independents Group, alongside Alexandre de Betak, has unveiled L’Incubateur, a new initiative designed to foster and accelerate the growth of promising talents, entrepreneurs, and creative agencies worldwide. The Paris-based creative studio Matière Noire has been named as the first recipient of this program.
L’Incubateur, led by Alexandre de Betak, who has been the Creative Chairman of The Independents since 2021, aims to nurture innovation and excellence within the rapidly evolving luxury and lifestyle sectors. The program offers structured mentorship, strategic guidance, and direct access to the founders of The Independents’ 17 specialist agencies. This support structure is intended to cultivate the chosen projects, helping them to scale and succeed in a competitive market.
Matière Noire, established in 2019 by Pierre Dagba and Felix Ward, is noted for its innovative approach to spatial and lighting design, blending art and commerce. The studio has collaborated with high-profile names such as Courrèges, Hermès, and the Fondation Cartier. They recently introduced CRD, a creative research and development platform, enhancing their capacity to innovate within the realms of fashion, art, and music.
Reflecting on their selection, Felix Ward, Pierre Dagba, and Sam Ward, the managing director, stated, “To be the first of the L’Incubateur projects feels especially momentous. As we continue to take on larger and more ambitious work, the multi-faceted support from The Independents will prove a game-changer in accelerating our innovation. The industry thrives on disruptive players, and we are excited to benefit from the wider exposure while generating ideas on a scale that becomes even more possible thanks to this boost.”
Alexandre de Betak expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: “Given The Independents’ collective expertise, launching this type of initiative is both creatively satisfying and essential. More than just financial support, it is a great opportunity for the agency teams and the selected projects to interact, spark ideas and evolve in ways that we can’t even predict. With Matière Noire, I have been consistently impressed by their work, which mirrors my career-long obsession with developing bold concepts that bridge light and space. They are the precise embodiment of L’Incubateur.”
L’Incubateur not only supports emerging companies and agencies but also seeks participants at the forefront of innovation, particularly those with a focus on sustainability, social impact, technology, and other cutting-edge fields. Applications for the program are now open, inviting candidates poised to impact the luxury industry significantly.
