French interior design legend and entrepreneur Christian Liaigre, known for his romantic minimalist aesthetic and whose clients included Larry Gagosian, Calvin Klein, and Karl Lagerfeld, has died at age 77. I fell in love in his environments, I conceived a child in his environments, I wrote a book in his environments, and for good luck Im pretty sure Ive put at least one piece of his furniture or lighting in every one of my projects, in hopes that some of that Liaigre cool would rub off. I always thought of him as our generations Jean-Michel Frank and I have no doubt his legacy will live on for generations to come. Brad Ford, interior designer, Theres a stillness to his aesthetic thats welcoming and warm and his le de R residence captivates me most. He was a pioneer in his own right and created a look that no one could matchbut they all sure did try to. Michelle Gerson, interior designer, 30 Bedroom Decor Ideas For An Incredibly Sophisticated Space, The 22 Best Living Room Ideas For Beautiful Home Design, Reports: 3 children dead, 2 wounded in attack at Texas home, Kellyanne Conway, George Conway To Divorce After Decadeslong Marriage: Report, School punished teen girl for working out in sports bra in 100-degree Texas heat, ACLU says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, 'Extremely dangerous': Spike in illegal crossings at Canada-Vermont border has feds sounding alarm. Legendary French interior designer Christian Liaigre, known as the "great minimalist", has passed away at 77. If so, I surely never saw it. Moreover, the overall impression consisted in extremely simple shapes that let materials define the surfaces. [4][5][6], Liaigre was married to Deborah Comte,[7][8] with whom he had a son. They were extremely sexy, but they were not an intimate, personal style, David Netto, an American designer, said in a phone interview. This week we kicked off the Timber Revolution, Uruguayan architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78. Related story Five luxury villas around the world by French interiors studio Liaigre. Se continui ad utilizzare questo sito noi assumiamo che tu ne sia felice. Home > News > Design icon Christian Liaigre dies aged 77. After designing a collection of cabinets in 1981, he established his studio in 1985 and opened up his first store on Rue de Varenne in Paris. comments policy. Set up as a Parisian home with an exhibition space at the top, it breaks away from the belief that Liaigre is without dare or risk. On the contrary, his in-depth search on materials allowed him to create a different environment every time, in line with the different philosophy it had to reflect. "The world is less without him. In this way, essentiality became a new version of luxury, which gradually became a new standard for interior architecture in the years to come. Before working on the Mercer, Mr. Liaigre had designed the interiors of the Hotel Montalembert in Paris, a boutique hotel built in the 1920s and redone in 1990. Sent on the last Friday of every month, Dezeen in Depth features original feature articles, interviews and opinion pieces that delve deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design. It is not easy to explain why his projects were so special, especially when seen from 2020. Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Liaigre added to this picture sober furniture and finishes in natural colors and materials, neutral plasters, and woods of different colors depending on the space. After Christian Liaigre left the eponymous design house that he founded in the 1980s, the company forged ahead on its luxury path. An error occurred. Christian Liaigre (10 August 1943 2 September 2020) was a French interior designer and architect. When studio Liaigre announced their founder's death over Instagram, tributes poured in from notable industry figures. "Christian Liaigre preferred to let his designs speak for themselves," said Liaigre's studio in a statement. Created in 2008 by Christian Liaigre as part of the Motu Tan project in Bora Bora, the Atoll lamp is a bronze sculpture symbolizing the squaring of a circle. French interior designer Christian Liaigre dies aged 77, announced their founder's death over Instagram, luxury homes in countries around the world. What will the architectural practices be like in 2050? He believes architecture is all-inclusive and personal. His rare public projects such as the 1990 overhaul of Paris' Hotel Montalembert, and 1997 revamp of New York's Mercer Hotel meant that Liaigre was known on both sides of the Atlantic, yet he largely preferred to work with a roster of private clients. He kind of invented the boutique hotelright after its actual inventionor at least took it from something rock n roll into territory that was more romantic and intimate. Liaigre believed that interior architecture and design should not depend on the latest fads and trends but embody timelessness, tranquil beauty, and subtle luxury. We have to keep in mind that The Mercer opened in the second half of the nineties. Biography [ edit] Born into a family from Vende, Liaigre entered the cole nationale suprieure des Beaux-Arts and the cole nationale suprieure des arts dcoratifs before meeting Alberto Giacometti. ! From that moment forward I kept an eye on Christian Liaigre who became a seismic influence in the world of interior design. "He was so gentle, so simple and nice with me. Liaigre, a French interior and furniture designer whose muscular and elegant objects in wood, bronze and leather were emblematic of 1990s minimalism, and whose influential clients included Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein, Rupert Murdoch, Larry Gagosian and the Mercer hotel in SoHo, died on Sept. 2, 2020, in Paris. Known for his muscular and clean-lined furniture, Mr. Liaigre designed the influential Mercer hotel in SoHo, as well as the homes of Rupert Murdoch and others. His admiration for arts and minimalistic designs led to the highly sought after and copied Christian Liaigre Signature; one of the unique styles over the last three decades. Liaigre: Creation 2016-2020 By Beda Achermann and Frauke Meyer, with text by Franoise-Claire Prodhon. His powerful palette of neutrals set the tone for what consumers wanted for many years, and still looks fresh today. David Duncan, lighting designer, Many designers help move us along, only a few move us forward. Lee F. Mindel, the New York-based architect wrote, Never distracted by pyrotechnics, he created spaces and the components of spaces that stand the test of time. Christian Liaigre www.lefrenchdesign.org The creative director and founder of the design studio Liaigre, in his 35 years of work, designed homes for icons like Rupert Murdoch and Calvin Klein. His design firm, Liaigre, announced his death on Instagram without specifying the cause. Obsession would be far more apt., Christian Liaigre, Minimalist Interior Designer, Dies at 77, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/18/arts/design/christian-liaigre-dead.html. His influence from Giacomettis bronze and plasters, Brancusis endless column, the minimal American art, the radicalism of primitive African and Oceanic arts naturally made him the preferred choice for an interior designer amongst many art collectors, designing interiors and furniture that blended and complemented their key collections. I am excited and a bit stressed to the result of the new creative direction." My family is fortunate to live in a home he designed everyday. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. If so, I surely never saw it. He was 77. There was no one like him; he was a pioneer with his elegant, refined all encompassing style. Mark Cunningham, interior designer, I remember the first time I saw his Chantecaille floor lamp and was caught off guard by its beauty. In 1988, Christian Liaigre designed the Hotel Montalembert in Paris. With sober design, fine materials and refined attention to detail, the . To me, Christian Liaigre, like Andre Putman, is a visionary of his time, a profound influence on his contemporaries as well as younger generations. Christian Liaigre wants to have it both ways. Everything about him exuded a beautiful restraint and elegance and he made it all look easy. Well, perhaps not so colorful Memphis aside but not with that idea of sophisticated sobriety conveyed by Christian Liaigres projects. (By the late 1990s, wenge wood, his signature material, had been knocked off so often that it became a design-world punch line.). We will miss him and his genius, but his work will endure far beyond his lifetime. Christian was a dear friend and a lovely soul with incredible taste. This was also the case for The Mercer Hotel in New York, the hotel that made Andr Balazs famous (who relaunched the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles and launched The Standard Hotel in several cities) and was a turning point for the hospitality sector worldwide. A new book from Rizzoli offers a deep dive into five recent Liaigre projects, all of which were started by the founder but completed by creative director . We asked design-world luminaries to share their thoughts of Liaigre and the legacy he left behind. Other high-profile clients followed, including Mr. Murdoch and his wife at the time, Wendi Murdoch, for whom Mr. Liagre designed a triplex in SoHo and a 184-foot sailing yacht named Rosehearty. News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Wendi Murdoch, entrepreneur and client, Christian Liaigre marched to his own drum creating a seamlessly integrated environment that was both minimal and enriched at the same time. Only 9 left in stock - order soon. Visit the SuperYacht Times online shop to view and order the latest market reports and newspaper issues. He is continually in search of the unknown, while observing psychology, philosophy, and the influence of culture and society on architecture and design. "He created furniture and objects that reflected his dedication to beauty, a search for balance, an accuracy for proportions and perfection in the detail," added the studio. The simple lines and geometry of his iconic furniture pieces and the rich palettes of bronze, beige, and grey which flooded the rooms he created are an inspiration. To me, he was the best and most talented designer in the world. Adding, His taste and style was unmatched, and his refined simplicity and elegance stood above everybody else. Im proud to say I was very inspired by him because he never did one thing that didnt move design forward somehow, a lot or a little. Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Christian Liaigre is a French interior designer and decorator. Christian Liaigre, a French interior and furniture designer whose muscular and elegant objects in wood, bronze and leather were emblematic of 1990s minimalism, and whose influential clients included Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein, Rupert Murdoch, Larry Gagosian and the Mercer hotel in SoHo, died Sept. 2 in Paris. More recently, Liaigre decorated other hotels in New York: the Edition Hotel and the Public Hotel, owned by Ian Schrager (also owner of Royalton, Paramount, Gramercy Park). When he retired in 2016, he handed the reins over to long-term . [10], The American designer Holly Hunt first introduced Liaigre's work to the US, and he designed the Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Collection from 1994-2011. May he rest in power and beauty. Therefore, I decided to give an overview of his projects, without claiming to have fully treated the topic, just a point of view on the work of one of the most interesting interior architects of the last 30 years. Christian's departure allowed a constructive work on the brandits roots, its influences, and dynamics. A triplex in Manhattans SoHo neighborhood designed by Christian Liaigre for Wendi and Rupert Murdoch, Oct. 6, 2005. In 1997, he designed The Mercer Hotel in New York City. I fell in love in his environments, I conceived a child in his environments, I wrote a book in his environments, and for good luck Im pretty sure Ive put at least one piece of his furniture or lighting in every one of my projects, in hopes that some of that Liaigre cool would rub off. At 77 years old, Liaigre had dedicated his life to building an influential career in the design world and had established a notable clientele base which included Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld. 2023 Cond Nast. But his love for horses took him to his grandfather to help him breed racehorses. Designer Ronan Bouroullec commented, He was so gentle, so simple and nice with me. The living room at Liaigres home on St. Barts. [Roberta Mutti]. He could take the most humble piece of furniture like a bench, stool or hook and elevate itnot by embellishing, but by whittling it down to its essence Rayman Boozer, interior designer, On a trip to Paris in 1992, I happened on the Hotel Montalembert and thought, who is this designer? His public projects such as the 1990 overhaul of Paris Hotel Montalembert, and 1997 revamp of New Yorks Mercer Hotel substantiate that they knew him on both sides of the Atlantic. Christian Liaigre Death | Christian Liaigre Obituary - On the 5th of September 2020, Junior (@fenaldinho) confirmed the death of Christian Liaigre a legendary french minimalist designer has passed. and our Price for these items starts at $2,752 and tops out at $39,085, while pieces like these can sell for $7,200 on average. The French creative and founder of design studio Liaigre died on Wednesday 2 September. FREE international delivery. Christian Liaigre did just that. Plus occasional news. Cookie Notice The clients still cherish them to this day. Former employees described Mr. Liaigre as a quiet, meticulous teacher whose drawings were always perfectly to scale. Christian Liaigre preferred to let his designs speak for themselves, said Liaigres studio on their Instagram post, adding, He created furniture and objects that reflected his dedication to beauty, a search for balance, and accuracy for proportions and perfection in detail., His origins, his background, and his passion for riding horses and the equestrian world were shown through a simple and fluidic design style enhanced by the high quality of his favorite materials: wood, leather, and bronze.. In-stock we have 1 vintage editions of these items, while there is also 0 modern edition to . We know your time is valuable. "He was such a visionary. Privacy Policy. Quite distant from the conceptual minimalism of other architects of the 1990s, the spaces designed by Liaigre were neither empty nor white. I was always inspired by his warm style and the way he could balance designs that were equally understated and impactful. Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Born in La Rochelle, France in 1943, he went on to study at the National School of Fine Arts where he met Alberto Giacometti, who encouraged him toward sculpture and introduced him to Constantin Brancusi.With his background in three-dimensional design, Liaigre created an innovative furniture collection in 1981 for the Nobilis paper . Someone formidable," Bouroullec wrote in a comment. French interior design legend and entrepreneur Christian Liaigre, known for his romantic minimalist aesthetic and whose clients included Larry Gagosian, Calvin Klein, and Karl Lagerfeld, has. He had an incredible point of view that was distinctively his own. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter. An essentiality built on the French tradition of interior decoration, reinterpreted with contemporary elements, influenced by Japanese precision and the light of the tropics. I did not know him personally, though I pay tribute to the great artist he was. Pierre Yovanovitch, interior designer, Theres a stillness to his aesthetic thats welcoming and warm and his le de R residence captivates me most. His artful distillations of forms inspired by Brancusi and Ruhlmann popularized luxurious materials in forms inspired by African sculpture and Art Deco. His artistic background is evident in the power of his designs, finding its way into the color, shape and texture of everything from cushions to chaise longues. Because the Hamptons are the Hamptons, New York is New York, Paris is Paris, and son on. We are made to. Mr. Liaigre (pronounced lee-AY-gruh) had been an art student and a drawing teacher and had worked with show horses before he began making furniture in the early 1980s. Plus occasional updates on Dezeens services and breaking news. [1][2] In 1985, he opened his first store, and he designed the Htel Montalembert in 1990. [3] He owned boutiques in London, Chicago, Bangkok, Saint Barthlemy, Kuala Lumpur, and Paris. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. Best known for fashioning the houses of legends such as Karl . Christian Liaigre is something of a legend in the world of French design. Christian Liaigre Dark Brown Christian Liaigre Pirogue Bench for Holly Hunt, Pair Available H 14 in W 70 in D 14 in $ 8,908 Access Trade Price. Give us a few seconds and try loading this page again. $7532. In the 1980s, his aesthetic was synonymous with easy, timeless style: architectural elegance, generous proportions, solid . And he certainly made our ubiquitous seven-foot-sofas seem silly. Ann Pyne (McMillen, Inc.), interior designer, Christian Liaigre was one of those incredibly rare talents who made me want to be a designer. He is a master in creating elegance and comfort with impeccable style. "His taste and style was unmatched and his refined simplicity and elegance stood above everybody else. Strong, minimal, and with both form and material thoughtfully considered, the lamp is a functional sculpture. Theres nothing more you can ask for as a designer. David Netto, interior designer, Liaigre was the epitome of sophisticated simplicity. Christian Liaigre, who fashioned homes for the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Calvin Klein, has passed away at the age of 77. With a palpable increased vigor under the creative direction of Christian's longtime protge, Frauke Meyer (Christians wife, Dborah Comte-Liaigre, remains as artistic director of the company's interior design service), the brand's ethos remains unchanged, though infused with new energy. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Born in 1943 in the French coastal city of La Rochelle, Liaigre started developing his knowledge of the design sphere when he enrolled in art school Beaux-Arts de Paris at age 17, before going on to study at L'ecole des Arts Dcoratifs. I took the first check I received from my first design job and bought a tiny bronze Liaigre drinks table. "Luxury, as we would define it at Liaigre, is about concentrating on the essence of creation: rigor of the drawing, function, reflection on proportions, quality of the materials and finishes," Meyer explains. His sparse interiors and elegant if unadorned furniture exemplified 1990s minimalism. It's a banana. His powerful palette of neutrals set the tone for what consumers wanted for many years, and still looks fresh today. David Duncan, lighting designer, Many designers help move us along, only a few move us forward. Christian Liaigre led his interior design studio for 35 years, creating homes for the likes of Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld. We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. Ernest de la Torre, interior designer, Just like when you see a Rolls Royce drive down the street, you could look at his work and immediately identify it as Liaigre. "His luxurious no-frill designs impressed a demanding international clientele on a quest for authenticity.". Everything he created was stunningly understated, but his use of luxurious, natural materials and sense of proportion made his spaces romantic and impactful. These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. To say that he was detail-oriented would be a gross understatement, Mr. Balazs of the Mercer wrote in an Instagram post. ", Christophe Caillaud, Liaigre's CEO, adds: "An eponymous brand necessarily identifies with its creator or founder. Can you sue for mesothelioma Top Lawyer Advice? OGS Capital Reviews On Aspects To Consider While Starting A New Business: Check Out These Excellent U.S. Art Galleries, Art Director: Juan Jos Seplveda Ramrez. It was an art of living imbued with the heritage of the French decorative arts masters, including Jean Royre and Jean-Michel Frank. By browsing this site, you agree to the use of cookies to better take into account your interests. Im proud to say I was very inspired by him because he never did one thing that didnt move design forward somehow, a lot or a little. Mr. Liaigres design roots were French Modernism, Asian furniture, African art and riding hardware bridles, saddles and stirrups. Thank you, Christian. Wendi Murdoch, entrepreneur and client, Christian Liaigre marched to his own drum creating a seamlessly integrated environment that was both minimal and enriched at the same time. Decades earlier, Mr. Owens had interviewed Mr. Liaigre about how his upbringing had influenced his work. 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My family is fortunate to live in a home he designed every day. Christian Liaigre, who fashioned homes for the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Calvin Klein, has passed away at the age of 77. French interior design legend and entrepreneur Christian Liaigre, known for his romantic minimalist aesthetic and whose clients included Larry Gagosian, Calvin Klein, and Karl Lagerfeld, has died at age 77. It also favored the emergence of talents and the recognition of the team's works.". Christian Liaigre has died, according to a statement posted online on September. Her interiors reflect both a rigorous design and special consideration for functions. The functionality and simplicity are enhanced by the cabinetmaker and saddler using his traditional knowledge, reflecting the comfort and subtle elegance of a masculine world. "Surrounded by the best craftsmen, he imagined and delivered spaces that expressed simplicity, sincerity, a modern and timeless style, alongside a natural attention to wellbeing," said his studio. It could not be taught. $53.46 (11 used & new offers) If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Discover the Public Hotel and other hotels in New York here. The creative director and founder of the design studio Liaigre, in his 35 years of work, designed homes for icons like Rupert Murdoch and Calvin Klein. This designer of some of the world's most beautiful rooms in penthouses, villas and, increasingly, mansion-sized yachts has developed a visual vocabulary, mostly expressed in his own furniture and fixtures, that makes every one of his interiors immediately identifiable as a Liaigre.And yet, he asserts that each is rooted in its particular . Anyone can read what you share. Christian Liaigre, born in 1943 in La Rochelle, a seaport city in southwestern France, studied at the cole des Beaux-Arts and the cole des arts dcoratifs. "This high demand is something we will keep, whilst introducing a freshness and freedom that has a more relaxed approach. For more details, please see our privacy notice. But his love for horses took him to his grandfather to help him breed racehorses. By the turn of the next decade, a chunky, cracked wooden stool inspired by Brancusis sculpture Endless Column had become his calling card, its gutsy and elemental shape a corrective to the fussy opulence the swags of chintz and Louis chairs that had defined the excesses of the 80s. [9] He died on 2 September 2020 at the age of 77. Cloudbreak We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Great attention to details was placed in all of his designs. Juan Montoya, interior designer, I will never forget, in the early 90s, going into Christian Liagres shop in Paris and visiting the Hotel Montalembert. Thats why his interiors are always different, depending on the clients personality and the location. The right word may be essentiality. I took the first check I received from my first design job and bought a tiny bronze Liaigre drinks table. In Liagres projects, simplicity and essentiality do not mean minimalism. He was such a visionary. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. He was 77. Since then I have not done a project without a piece of Liaigre. Ryan Korban, interior designer, Christian made modern furniture chic, timeless and elegant. News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. When studio Liaigre posted the news on Instagram, tributes poured in from anyone who had met, worked with, or influenced the iconic designer. Until then, there was no hotel cult like today. Unfortunately, it will not be possible. Christian Liaigre, Minimalist Interior Designer, Dies at 77 Known for his muscular and clean-lined furniture, Mr. Liaigre designed the influential Mercer hotel in SoHo, as well as the homes. And just how is she doing that? Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Many compared him to Jean-Michel Frank, the early French minimalist, but with less ennui, as Mitchell Owens, the decorative arts editor at Architectural Digest, said in an interview. To have people respond to your work like that? His keen sense of light and its influence on space, inspiration from local cultures and traditions, his meticulous research of the perfect materials for his furniture, coupled with his affinity towards artisanal work, Liaigre combined the art of subtle expression with great elegance. The lobby of the Mercer in SoHo, which introduced Mr. Liaigre to the United States when it opened in 1997. introduced Mr. Liaigre to the United States. Christian Liaigre Death | Obituary | Christian Liaigre Dead | Died | Funeral Plans - We heard about the great loss, that Christian Liaigre is no more and has reportedly passed away. Christian Liaigre: Remembering the Iconic Work of the French Creative The iconic interior designer of French descent has passed away last week at the age of 77 and leaves behind an unquestionable legacy of restrained aesthetics that will be long remembered.