Jeremy Pyles, founder and creative director of Niche Modern talks about glass blowing technology, custom residential lighting and the importance of light on the human psyche.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin discovered his love for photography while studying Fine Arts. In 2003, with his business partner at the time, Niche was founded as a home furnishings shop in New York’s East Village. Frustrated with the available lighting options, they collaborated with a glassblower to create the “Stamen” pendant. This pendant quickly became the store’s most coveted item, sparking a whole new business. As a result, he needed more space and found an old abandoned foundry in Beacon, NY, which was converted into a glass studio and now includes a beautiful showroom.
Over 20+ years later, with more than 40 pendant shapes, Jeremy continues to innovate. He pushes the boundaries of traditional lighting, pairing cutting-edge technology with classic handmade glassblowing techniques to enhance lighting’s impact on a person’s overall well-being. In 2026, Jeremy will start experimenting with different types of glass and begin working with external designers to launch new lighting designs.
Jeremy’s presentation includes an overview of the complex lighting industry, new technology that has changed it, how his business has expanded and what’s coming next.
We’re so glad he is here to help us understand this complicated industry and Niche’s role in it:
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