6 minute read
Collaboration in the City of Light
from June 2025
Hervé Descottes and Targetti Introduce Catirpel
By Randy Reid
The City of Light provided a fitting backdrop last month as Targetti, together with L’Observatoire International, presented its latest outdoor innovation, Catirpel, at a special event at the historic Musée de Montmartre in Paris.
The evening celebrated not only the product showcase but also the 50th anniversary of Targetti France, marking a half-century of creativity, craftsmanship, and continued international growth for the company.
A Global Team, A Global Collaboration
The Paris event served as a true gathering of the global Targetti family, with teams from Italy, France, and the United States all in attendance—not just the executive leadership, but staff members who played hands-on roles in Catirpel’s development and launch. Representing the Italian headquarters were Giovanni Bonazzi, CEO of 3F Filippi, Targetti Group, and Nicola Bertini, General Manager of Targetti Sankey srl.
Alain Arcamone, General Manager of 3F Filippi, Targetti France, led his team, while Marie Paris, Chief Executive Officer of Targetti USA, was joined by members of the American team. The broad international presence at Montmartre reflected the deep, collaborative spirit that brought Catirpel to life. It was an achievement made possible by the close coordination of teams across continents.
As my wife, Lori, and I arrived, we were greeted by Marie Paris just before the evening began. She smiled and assured us, “It’s going to be a fantastic evening. We’re happy to debut Catirpel in Paris with our French team and our guests from around the world in the magical garden of Montmartre. A little rain doesn’t hurt—this product is IP66-rated and very durable in this kind of weather, so it’s perfect for this event.”
The garden of Montmartre, drenched in a light Parisian rain, was transformed into a living showcase for Catirpel. The product was demonstrated in a variety of applications throughout the gardens. A dedicated team worked into the early hours—some staying until nearly 3 a.m.—to install and fine-tune the luminaires in preparation for the evening.
The Inspiration Behind Catirpel
Catirpel’s distinctive design was the result of a global partnership between Targetti’s Italian R&D team and renowned lighting designer Hervé Descottes of L’Observatoire International.
The initial connection came through Targetti’s French team. Descottes, who is based in New York but originally from France, was introduced to the project through his relationship with the French office, which led to the broader collaboration with Targetti’s global design and engineering teams.
In his remarks to the audience, Descottes explained that nature itself provided the inspiration for Catirpel. “We studied how caterpillars adapt and camouflage themselves,” he said. “Their ability to move, change color, and disappear into the landscape led us to design a fixture that is both discreet during the day and highly functional at night.”
Later, in my exclusive one-on-one interview, Descottes explained that the goal behind Catirpel was to create an outdoor luminaire that would blend organically into its surroundings, minimizing visual clutter while delivering superior lighting performance.
He described how the cylindrical, modular fixture can be adjusted on-site to meet precise lighting objectives. “Lighting design is all about precision,” he told me. “Even two degrees of misalignment can completely change the effect. Catirpel allows for that fine-tuning.”
More Than a Product — A Philosophy
While many product presentations focus on performance specs alone, Catirpel represents more than just engineering achievement; it embodies an evolving philosophy of how outdoor lighting should interact with the built and natural environment. As cities and designers worldwide confront issues of light pollution and energy efficiency, Catirpel answers the call with its dark-sky sensitive design and careful light distribution.
Descottes elaborated, “As lighting designers, we need to find new ways to illuminate landscapes without contributing to light pollution. Catirpel directs light downward and allows the natural beauty of trees and gardens to emerge without overwhelming the night sky.”
A Modular, Flexible Solution
From a technical standpoint, Catirpel sits within Targetti’s 24V/48V Outdoor Lighting Systems portfolio. It features fully adjustable, articulating heads, allowing designers to configure multiple modules along a single vertical support. The system accommodates a range of optics and beam spreads, with an array of interchangeable accessories to meet diverse project needs.
The fixture’s IP66 rating makes it well-suited for harsh outdoor environments, and its cast aluminum body is engineered for both durability and elegant form. This flexibility means Catirpel can serve a wide variety of applications, from residential gardens and hotel courtyards to botanical gardens, historical sites, and urban landscapes. As Descottes noted, "It was almost like developing a toy for kids—fun and rewarding to create something so versatile."
Industry Excitement
Industry leaders attending the Paris event were quick to praise both the product and the occasion.
Teal Brogden, President of HLB Lighting Design, called it “an incredible opportunity in the City of Light to gather with our colleagues to celebrate the power of design.”
Her HLB colleague, CEO Carrie Hawley, added, “I am always inspired seeing fantastic collaborations between brilliant lighting designers like Hervé and amazing manufacturers like Targetti coming together to help move us all forward into the future.”
Lighting designer Chip Israel, CEO and Founder of Lighting Design Alliance, attended the event with his wife Lisa. “I’m very excited to see the Catirpel in action,” Chip remarked as the evening demonstration began.
50 Years in France, Nearly 100 Worldwide
Catirpel’s celebration in Paris also honored Targetti France’s 50th anniversary. Reflecting on the company’s legacy, Marie Paris and Nicola Bertini emphasized that Targetti’s long-standing success—50 years in France and soon 100 globally—has been built on a foundation of continuous innovation, made possible by open dialogue and strong collaboration across teams and borders.
The evening ended with gratitude expressed from every corner—Hervé thanking his design team, Targetti’s leadership thanking its global teams, and the guests appreciating an unforgettable experience in the magical Montmartre gardens.
As the rain continued to fall lightly, the IP66-rated Catirpel fixtures stood proudly in operation—a living testament to Targetti’s design, engineering, and enduring global collaboration.
Congratulations to Targetti and L’Observatoire for not only presenting an innovative product but for doing so in such spectacular fashion. To display Catirpel under the Parisian sky, in the enchanting gardens of Montmartre, with teams gathered from around the world—it was nothing short of magical. In all my years covering product presentations, this was easily the most enjoyable and memorable showcase I’ve ever attended!
