If the Italians and the Scandinavians have been on the top for a long time when it comes to design, the French do not want to stay behind! Creativity, quality and reinterpretation of the classics are the three essential ingredients of success of a whole generation of designers that break into the international market with its blue-red-white paw!
“Lampe Gras”, created in 1921, was originally made for industry and for design offices. It was adopted by Le Corbusier, Henri Matisse and many collectors worldwide.
Not having light adapted to his needs as a mechanic, Jean-Louis Domecq decides to create his own lamp – that’s how “La Lampe Jieldé” was born!
Inspired by the aesthetic and cultural influences of the fifties, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Jacques Adnet design chairs, armchairs, tables, shelves and lamps with clean and simple lines.
Le Corbusier, a multi-talented man, namely an architect, town-planner, decorator, painter and sculptor, was also confronted with design - lamps in particular, which became an important element in his famous housing units.
For Charlotte Perriand, lamps were not just additional decorative elements but rather objects to satisfy specific needs. This minimalist approach is what she called “les Formes Utiles.”
Jacques Adnet, known for his avant-garde design, enters into partnership with la maison Hermès and they develop a collection of furniture and accessories covered with leather in 1950.
The arrival of plastic materials revolutionised the creative and commercial logic of the design in the sixties. This legendary stool, symbol of the seventies, also used by Brigitte Bardot, was sold in more than 12 million copies and received awards from MoMA New York and Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Tam Tam is still being made in France in the same shape No. 169 which gave birth to the original model.
Eighties and nineties Philippe Starck democratises the design
Philippe Starck is a man of challenges. This designer and architect has been placing himself outside of the conventions for more than 30 years. Starck uses his tireless protean inventiveness to achieve a vision that design should make the life better for many people. Through his concept of “democratic design,” Starck was considered to be a pioneer in his time when design was exclusively destined for the elite.
Walter Wayle II Wall clock
Alessi
Toy Stackable armchair
Driade
Masters chair Kartell
2000s French touch
Many new designers have been born since 2000! This new passionate, demanding and entrepreneurial generation draws new outlines of French design. The brave, original and poetic art design attempt leaves nobody indifferent… Strong feelings guaranteed!
The creations Petite Friture, real catalysts of feelings, leave nobody indifferent!
With Bistro, star of terraces since 1989 and Luxembourg, a collection made for gardens of the same name, catalogue Fermob is a symbol of French design!