The passing of the iconic French interior designer Christian Liaigre was sadly announced earlier this week. "The world is less without him. . Liaigres work had a butchness to it, he added. 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. Christian Liaigre did just that. What will the architectural practices be like in 2050? Liaigre established his eponymous studio in 1985 and opened the doors to his first showroom on Rue de Varenne in Paris' seventh arrondissement. The designer Christian Liaigre in an undated photo. He had an incredible point of view that was distinctively his own. "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. For more information, please see our Theres nothing more you can ask for as a designer. David Netto, interior designer, Liaigre was the epitome of sophisticated simplicity. The spaces he created are a wonderful gift. Kelly Behun, interior designer, His interiors inspired a generation of designers, myself included. 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 . Give us a few seconds and try loading this page again. He understood the dignity of the design process and the responsibility of designers, architects, and craftspeople to keep evolving. Jeffrey Bilhuber, interior designer, Christian was a dear friend and a lovely soul with incredible taste. Amy Zook. French interior designer Christian Liaigre dies aged 77, announced their founder's death over Instagram, luxury homes in countries around the world. As a designer I have always been inspired by his work and loved incorporating his thoughtfully modern and timeless designs into many of the residential spaces I have designed. Strong, minimal, and with both form and material thoughtfully considered, the lamp is a functional sculpture. Already in the project for Hotel Montalembert he showed his ability to combine different sources of inspiration and transform them into an immediately recognizable style. and our Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. As an interior designer, he was revered for his restrained aesthetic approach. 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. Christian Liaigre is something of a legend in the world of French design. Everything he created was stunningly understated, but his use of luxurious, natural materials and sense of proportion made his spaces romantic and impactful. Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. (By the late 1990s, wenge wood, his signature material, had been knocked off so often that it became a design-world punch line.). In 1988, Christian Liaigre designed the Hotel Montalembert in Paris. That table has been by my side for over a decade now. Liaigre: Creation 2016-2020 By Beda Achermann and Frauke Meyer, with text by Franoise-Claire Prodhon. African sculptures next to Louis XV furniture, the neutrality of the architecture., He added, People were beguiled by that hotel.. 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. Sahil Tanveer is an architect and thinker, who runs a cosmopolitan Architecture studio with work across the country. When studio Liaigre posted the news on Instagram, tributes poured in from anyone who had met, worked with, or influenced the iconic designer. He cared so about the details, high quality materials, and craftsmanship. Can you sue for mesothelioma Top Lawyer Advice? When studio Liaigre announced their founder's death over Instagram, tributes poured in from notable industry figures. 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 . With sober design, fine materials and refined attention to detail, the . Christian Liaigre Death : French designer Christian Liaigre dead - cause of death - tribute - Death-Obituary. 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. Se continui ad utilizzare questo sito noi assumiamo che tu ne sia felice. Christian Liaigre is a French interior designer and decorator. Hotelier Ian Schrager also commented, The world is less without him. Wendi and Rupert Murdoch commissioned Mr. Liaigre to design their triplex in SoHo after seeing his rooms at the Mercer hotel. 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. Designer Ronan Bouroullec recalled meeting Liaigre at L'ecole des Arts Dcoratifs and him showing interest in one of Bouroullec's early furniture models. Christian Liaigre led his interior design studio for 35 years, creating homes for the likes of Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld. 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. My family is fortunate to live in a home he designed everyday. The living room at Liaigres home on St. Barts. Promoting his long-time collaborator and associate Frauke Meyer in 2014 as the creative director of the studio, Liaigre parted ways with the firm in 2016 to take time to himself and his wife and son. ", Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen additionally took to Instagram to celebrate the life of Liaigre, revealing he had been a fan of the late designer's work since the end of the 1980s: "Since then, he's been a great source of inspiration to me, not only as a creative mind but also as an overall stylish yet humble human being.". Browse the preview of the latest issues of our magazines! He cared so about the details, high quality materials, and craftsmanship. And the hotel that, also thanks to Christian Liaigres design, became an international icon. This is a huge loss for our community. Sheila Bridges, interior designer, Christians passing is such a loss for the world of design. A triplex in Manhattans SoHo neighborhood designed by Christian Liaigre for Wendi and Rupert Murdoch, Oct. 6, 2005. 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.. Christian's departure allowed a constructive work on the brandits roots, its influences, and dynamics. Ad Choices, How Legendary French Brand Christian Liaigre Is Keeping Things Fresh, With all eyes on the new Madison Avenue showroom, due to open this summer, its exciting times ahead for the French interiors brand, Jeremiah Brent Makes Hospitality Debut, Coil + Drift Moves Upstate, and More News. Schrager continued. 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. The Greatest Christian Liaigre-Designed Yachts To celebrate the legacy of the late French designer Christian Liaigre, we round-up his greatest interior design successes at sea, including Abeking & Rasmussen explorer Cloudbreak and Perini Navi sailing yacht Seahawk. Thank you, Christian." These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Ian Schrager, the hotelier and developer, hired both Mr. Pawson and Mr. Liaigre to design his penthouse at 40 Bond Street in the NoHo section of Manhattan, a Herzog & de Meuron showplace, as well as his house in Southampton, N.Y. Mr. Schrager recalled that the contractors kept turning over Mr. Liaigres furniture to see how the pieces were put together. His sparse interiors and elegant if unadorned furniture exemplified 1990s minimalism. A must-visit in Paris, the new showroom opens in fall 2018 and will showcase the brand's newfound eclecticism. 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. We asked design-world luminaries to share their thoughts of Liaigre and the legacy he left behind. 2022 Rethinking The Future All registered. [9] He died on 2 September 2020 at the age of 77. I was always inspired by his warm style and the way he could balance designs that were equally understated and impactful. Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. 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. Legendary French interior designer Christian Liaigre, known as the great minimalist, has passed away at 77. He felt that to get the proportions right, the only way to do it was by hand, said Kirstin Bailey, a designer in Mr. Liaigres studio in the 1990s. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. This week we kicked off the Timber Revolution, Uruguayan architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78. Sold . I took the first check I received from my first design job and bought a tiny bronze Liaigre drinks table. My responsibility today as creative director is to ensure we respect and remain faithful to this desirable heritage while ensuring our creation reflects and embodies the movement and spirit of our time.". 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? It is not easy to explain why his projects were so special, especially when seen from 2020. However, if we take a step back and go back to 1990, everything becomes clearer. We were the only ones in the room, Mr. Pawson said by email from his home on the island of Majorca in Spain. We had a nice chat over a very minimal white egg, tea and toast.. They were extremely sexy, but they were not an intimate, personal style, David Netto, an American designer, said in a phone interview. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. The most famous are those of the Maldives, Tuamotu, Kiribati, Bikini. We have to keep in mind that The Mercer opened in the second half of the nineties. "We should hold the mirror to ourselves" say Turkish John Heah designs Clinique La Prairie resort for Amaala in Adjaye Associates unveils Abrahamic Family House interfaith Heatherwick Studio designs Tokyo school with "playgrounds Smith Mordak named CEO of UK Green Building Council at Michael Gove places Populous' spherical music venue on hold, Visit our comments page | Read our 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 . There was always a sense of place, strong narrative, as well as a feeling of playfulness and of joy. Oliver M. Furth, interior designerChristian was one of those people who was innately chic. Christian Liaigre Death - Dead : Christian Liaigre Obituary : Cause of Death Unknown. 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). His straightforward lines, and elegant proportions were a revelation! Christian Liaigre was truly one of the greatest. But his love for horses took him to his grandfather to help him breed racehorses. September 8, 2020. We will miss him and his genius, but his work will endure far beyond his lifetime. In the meanwhile, Christian Liaigre designed countless private homes. It was very male and very architectural.. We asked design-world luminaries to share their thoughts of Liaigre and the legacy he left behind. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. The French creative and founder of design studio Liaigre died on Wednesday 2 September. Ho.Me Plus by Arbi Arredobagno: a new collection, Tessuto, the award-winning decorative radiator by Cordivari Design, Cersaie 2022 welcomes back international professionals, Casalgrande Padana presents The City Collection, Salone del Mobile.Milano has a new layout, Design and furniture trade shows: the new 2022 calendar (still being updated), La Biennale dello Stretto 2022: le tre linee dacqua, From Malaysia, emerging design in Kuala Lumpur in 2022, Renilde, a new transformable restaurant in Rotterdam, Marina di Scarlino, the exclusive sea of the Maremma, The transformation of Znins historic former sugar factory, Plants and sustainable coffee for the new Caff Triennale. [3] He owned boutiques in London, Chicago, Bangkok, Saint Barthlemy, Kuala Lumpur, and Paris. [4][5][6], Liaigre was married to Deborah Comte,[7][8] with whom he had a son. When he retired in 2016, he handed the reins over to long-term . In a time when chaos reigns, we crave interiors that make us feel calm and balanced. To me, Christian Liaigre, like Andre Putman, is a visionary of his time, a profound influence on his contemporaries as well as younger generations. His design firm, Liaigre, announced his death on Instagram without specifying the cause. There is only Christian and no one else., Remembering Christian Liaigre, Elle Decor ran an article with many close friends and interior design luminaries expressed their tribute to him. What was so special about the interiors of Hotel Montalembert, then? 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. To have people respond to your work like that? Designer Ronan Bouroullec commented, He was so gentle, so simple and nice with me. I had gone to Paris to write a profile of him for Departures and ended up spending a rich and rewarding two days in his company. 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. 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Since then, hes been a great source of inspiration to me, not only as a creative mind but also as an overall stylish yet humble human being.. "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. 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. Anyone can read what you share. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Christian Liaigre, born in 1943 in La Rochelle, a seaport city in southwestern France, studied at the. To date, there are about 30 showrooms across the world, and they are the ambassadors of an elegant and modern art of living that has attracted customers from far and wide. Tim Veresnovsky, interior designer, He came into my life after seeing his work in the pages of Elle Decor in the late 90s. Liaigre believed that interior architecture and design should not depend on the latest fads and trends but embody timelessness, tranquil beauty, and subtle luxury. The prices for Christian Liaigre furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. That table has been by my side for over a decade now. 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. 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. Moreover, the overall impression consisted in extremely simple shapes that let materials define the surfaces. It could not be taught. Utilizziamo i cookie per essere sicuri che tu possa avere la migliore esperienza sul nostro sito. The showroom opens in June 2018 and will present classic pieces of furniture alongside new designs shown in the US for the first time. Iris Brosch. 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. He was 77. Learn more Initially, the late designer only made furnishings but soon went on to develop entire interiors for residences, holiday homes, offices, as well as the cabins of jets and yachts. .css-1cjy3tu{display:block;font-family:Central,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1cjy3tu:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1cjy3tu{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1cjy3tu{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1cjy3tu{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}20 Enchanting Wedding Decor Ideas.css-ty7wls:after{background-color:#000000;color:#fff;content:'';display:block;height:0.0625rem;margin:0.625rem 0;width:1.875rem;}, These Are the Chicest Spots to Travel to This June, Meet the First Solo Woman Architect in America, These Are the Nominees for Best Production Design, The Most Beautiful Cities to Visit in Your Life, There's a Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Your State, Our Favorite Easter Gift Ideas for Adults, A Cartier Classic Gets a Glimmering Update, The 24 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in New York City, The 40 Best Mothers Day Quotes From Famous Moms. We all still look up to him and thank him for his stewardship and understanding of whats importantand above all, whats human., Vincent Van Duysen, the Belgian architect, celebrated the life of Liaigre on Instagram, revealing he had been a fan of the late designers work since the end of the 80s. A $77-Million Les Lalanne Auction Breaks Records, AD PROs Essential Guide to Maison & Objet 2023, Off to Paris? Liaigre eventually stepped down from his studio in 2016, handing over the position of creative director to long-term collaborator Frauke Meyer. To say that he was detail-oriented would be a gross understatement, Mr. Balazs of the Mercer wrote in an Instagram post. 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. Legendary French interior designer Christian Liaigre, known as the "great minimalist", has passed away at 77. Of the handful of maritime projects he has completed so far, Vertigo, the 67 metre ketch built by Alloy Yachts and launched in 2011, has won four prestigious prizes, among . ! From that moment forward I kept an eye on Christian Liaigre who became a seismic influence in the world of interior design. Thank you for influencing so many Christian, you will be sorely missed Alyssa Kapito, interior designer, You cannot overstate the impact Christian Liaigres Montalembert hotel in Paris had on design in the early 90s. Strong, minimal, and with both form and material thoughtfully considered, the lamp is a functional sculpture. Christian worked for his grandfather for a decade after attending the cole des Beaux-Arts and the cole Nationale Suprieure des Arts Dcoratifs in Paris. He understood the dignity of the design process and the responsibility of designers, architects, and craftspeople to keep evolving. Jeffrey Bilhuber, interior designer, "Christian was a dear friend and a lovely soul with incredible taste. 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. 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. His clients included Larry Gagosian, Marina Abramovi, Bryan Adams, Calvin Klein, Rupert Murdoch, and Carole Bouquet. 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. Architectural Photography Competition May 2020 Results, RTF Architectural Visualization Competition 2020 Results, RTF Essay Writing Competition April 2020 Results, Designers Days of Quarantine Contest Results, Urban Sketching Competition May 2020 Results, Architectural Writing Training Programme | WFH, 10 Masters options for architects interested in Landscape Architecture, Xians New Stadium with Garden Terraces unveiled by Zaha Hadid Architects, Zines and their Influence on Mainstream Design, Digital water A modern solution to the current water crisis. 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. In 1997, he designed The Mercer Hotel in New York City. As stated on their website, Liaigres studio, under the leadership of CEO Christophe Caillaud and creative director Frauke Meyer, enters a new era and continues to design luxury homes, ships, and yachts in Europe, USA, Asia, and around the world. If so, I surely never saw it. Mr. Pawson remembered meeting Mr. Liaigre just once in a chance encounter at the Mercer. 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. We are made to. Christian Liaigre wants to have it both ways. 2023 Cond Nast. His work has always been an inspiration to me. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. We asked design-world luminaries to share their thoughts of Liaigre and the legacy he left behind. 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. Decades earlier, Mr. Owens had interviewed Mr. Liaigre about how his upbringing had influenced his work. Tim Veresnovsky, interior designer, He came into my life after seeing his work in the pages of Elle Decor in the late 90s. 2023 Design Diffusion. Liaigre initially started making furniture and then gradually designed entire interiors for holiday homes, residences, and even interiors of private jets and yachts. 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. 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. It could not be taught. He was a true original and a star. Joy Moyler, interior designer, Its the end of an era. 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. comments policy. We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. And just how is she doing that? Her interiors reflect both a rigorous design and special consideration for functions. Meyer and the studio under her creative leadership have been faithful to the pure spirit characteristic of Liaigre. In the 1980s, his aesthetic was synonymous with easy, timeless style: architectural elegance, generous proportions, solid . Theres nothing more you can ask for as a designer. David Netto, interior designer, On a trip to Paris in 1992, I happened on the Hotel Montalembert and thought, who is this designer? May he rest in power and beauty. He embodied timeless elegance. Liaigres rooms were graphic and confident, minimal but not anemic. 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, His vision went beyond the field of interior design. This chunky, cracked wooden stool became Mr. Liaigres calling card, its elemental shape a corrective to the fussy opulence of the 1980s. Christian Liaigre, who fashioned homes for the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Calvin Klein, has passed away at the age of 77. Still chic and sleek, but much more personal. Thank you, Christian. Said Wendi Murdoch. Related story Five luxury villas around the world by French interiors studio Liaigre. The living room of Rupert Murdochs New York City loft designed by Christian Liaigre. The clients still cherish them to this day. 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. His luxurious, stark designs attracted a large international audience and were seen for their originality when he came up in the 1980s. Thats why his interiors are always different, depending on the clients personality and the location. It evokes an annular coral reef of the warm seas, enclosing a lagoon communicating with the open sea. 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. 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. 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. The Mercer, which Andr Balazs opened in 1997, introduced Mr. Liaigre to the United States. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE Decor editor. Christian Liaigre benches are available for sale on 1stDibs. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. 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. As a designer I have always been inspired by his work and loved incorporating his thoughtfully modern and timeless designs into many of the residential spaces I have designed. As Christian Liaigres studio grew well into the third decade, Liaigre, concerned about the continuation of his heritage, set up a creative and managerial transition in his studio in 2009.