At Galerie Patrick Seguin in Paris, a new exhibition brings together two icons of modern creativity: Charlotte Perriand and Saint Laurent. Curated by Anthony Vaccarello, creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, the show coincides with Art Basel Paris and offers a fresh reading of Perriand’s furniture through the lens of fashion.
Four rare designs by Perriand, conceived between 1943 and 1967, have been reproduced in extremely limited editions from her original drawings or one-off models. There’s the Rio de Janeiro bookcase (1962), designed to hold both books and artworks; the Indochina guest armchair (1943), rediscovered from a lost drawing; the Mille-feuilles table (1963), a sculptural composition of pale and dark wood once deemed impossible to make with the technology of its time; and the monumental sofa for the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Paris (1967), which appears to float above the floor despite its remarkable weight.
‘We accepted this collaboration at the invitation of Saint Laurent,’ Patrick Seguin explains. ‘We were drawn to the rigour and high standards that define Anthony Vaccarello’s work. His approach to Charlotte Perriand’s legacy, developed with the attentive participation of her heirs, shows a real understanding of her world.’
The link between Saint Laurent and Perriand runs deep. Yves Saint Laurent himself was an admirer and collector of her designs, drawn to their purity and modernity. Vaccarello’s vision renews that connection, presenting Perriand’s work as both historical and vividly relevant. ‘These creations raise essential questions about heritage and craftsmanship,’ the gallerist says.
What could have been a simple homage becomes, in the hands of Vaccarello and Seguin, a dialogue between two creative worlds that highlights the enduring power of great design.
