If so, I surely never saw it. 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. Actually, the apartment was very big and there was something of the spirit of The Mercer, which was not the spirit of the Mercer but Liaigres design, able to interpret spaces depending on the client and the place. A triplex in Manhattans SoHo neighborhood designed by Christian Liaigre for Wendi and Rupert Murdoch, Oct. 6, 2005. His sparse interiors and elegant if unadorned furniture exemplified 1990s minimalism. [1][2] In 1985, he opened his first store, and he designed the Htel Montalembert in 1990. Christian Liaigre at his home in Paris. Christian Liaigre Death : French designer Christian Liaigre dead - cause of death - tribute - Death-Obituary. I took the first check I received from my first design job and bought a tiny bronze Liaigre drinks table. September 8, 2020. We asked design-world luminaries to share their thoughts of Liaigre and the legacy he left behind. 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. "Christian Liaigre preferred to let his designs speak for themselves," said Liaigre's studio in a statement. 2023 Design Diffusion. 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. He had an incredible point of view that was distinctively his own. 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. Liaigres rooms were graphic and confident, minimal but not anemic. 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. 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. 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. Christian Liaigre drew his inspiration from the tradition of French craftsmen, cabinetmakers and smiths of precious metals. 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. Fred Conrad/The New York Times. Discrete, Christian Liaigre preferred let his designs speak for themselves: he created furniture and objects that reflected his dedication to beauty, a search for balance, an accuracy for proportions and perfection in the detail. Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. 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. The clients still cherish them to this day. 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. "His will was to prepare the future of the eponymous house he had successfully created 35 years earlier and allowed to turn toward new challenges and evolutions of our time. 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. In the meanwhile, Christian Liaigre designed countless private homes. 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. The spaces he created are a wonderful gift. Kelly Behun, interior designer, His interiors inspired a generation of designers, myself included. Hotelier Ian Schrager also commented, The world is less without him. The passing of the iconic French interior designer Christian Liaigre was sadly announced earlier this week. Exciting times, indeed. The showroom opens in June 2018 and will present classic pieces of furniture alongside new designs shown in the US for the first time. Christian Liaigre - Designer Biography and Price History on 1stDibs Log In Sign Up Furniture Lighting Decor & Gifts Art Jewelry & Watches Fashion World of 1stDibs Sale Auctions Sorry, we're currently experiencing technical difficulties. 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. It could not be taught. Visit the SuperYacht Times online shop to view and order the latest market reports and newspaper issues. The designer Christian Liaigre in an undated photo. 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? To me, Christian Liaigre, like Andre Putman, is a visionary of his time, a profound influence on his contemporaries as well as younger generations. "He was so gentle, so simple and nice with me. We all still look up to him and thank him for his stewardship and understanding of whats importantand above all whats human. Lee F. Mindel, architect and interior designer, Liaigre is somewhere in the ether of our heroes at McMillenup there with Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand. 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. We have to keep in mind that The Mercer opened in the second half of the nineties. 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. 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. Discover the Public Hotel and other hotels in New York here. Best known for fashioning the houses of legends such as Karl . After all, we were fresh out the Eighties, so exuberant and colorful in fashion, and even in interior architecture in some way. It would have been nice to see Liaigre at work in 10 years, to see how his work would evolve. 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. He is a master in creating elegance and comfort with impeccable style. Christian was a dear friend and a lovely soul with incredible taste. Thank you, Christian. Said Wendi Murdoch. In the 1980s, his aesthetic was synonymous with easy, timeless style: architectural elegance, generous proportions, solid wood, bold designall swathed in sumptuous materials like marble and cashmere. Thats why his interiors are always different, depending on the clients personality and the location. 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. Both men were up early for breakfast. The Mercer, which Andr Balazs opened in 1997, introduced Mr. Liaigre to the United States. We asked design-world luminaries to share their thoughts of Liaigre and the legacy he left behind. The living room at Liaigres home on St. Barts. Quite distant from the conceptual minimalism of other architects of the 1990s, the spaces designed by Liaigre were neither empty nor white. Christian Liaigre (10 August 1943 - 2 September 2020) was a French interior designer and architect. The clients still cherish them to this day. 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. If so, I surely never saw it. "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. However, if we take a step back and go back to 1990, everything becomes clearer. In 1997, he designed The Mercer Hotel in New York City. Schrager continued. FREE international delivery. Tim Veresnovsky, interior designer, He came into my life after seeing his work in the pages of Elle Decor in the late 90s. 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. This is a huge loss for our community. Sheila Bridges, interior designer, Christians passing is such a loss for the world of design. His design firm, Liaigre, announced his death on Instagram without specifying the cause. He believes architecture is all-inclusive and personal. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In Liagres projects, simplicity and essentiality do not mean minimalism. His artful distillations of forms inspired by Brancusi and Ruhlmann popularized luxurious materials in forms inspired by African sculpture and Art Deco. We know your time is valuable. You walked in and saw the possibility of how to decorate that hadnt been around since the 1930s. He recapped the interview on Instagram: We talked of his childhood near La Rochelle, his potent memories of his veterinary surgeon fathers tools and of accompanying him from farm to farm throughout the Vendee, his respect for woodworkers and love of chestnut and oak trees, and his belief in furniture that, no matter how reductivist, held the whiff of the terroir in its design.. Never distracted by pyrotechnics, he created spaces and the components of spaces that stand the test of time. He is a master in creating elegance and comfort with impeccable style. 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. 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. He was such a visionary. The spaces he created are a wonderful gift. Kelly Behun, interior designer, His interiors inspired a generation of designers, myself included. Here are the new products and design happenings not to miss at Maison & Objet 2023, Masterpiece London Is Canceled, Nifemi Marcus-Bello Readies for His First Solo Show Stateside, and More News. He is continually in search of the unknown, while observing psychology, philosophy, and the influence of culture and society on architecture and design. A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen. Christian Liaigre, who fashioned homes for the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Calvin Klein, has passed away at the age of 77. This chunky, cracked wooden stool became Mr. Liaigres calling card, its elemental shape a corrective to the fussy opulence of the 1980s. 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. 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. The right word may be essentiality. With sober design, fine materials and refined attention to detail, the . Legendary French designer Christian Liaigre has died. [11][12], cole nationale suprieure des Beaux-Arts, cole nationale suprieure des arts dcoratifs, "Christian Liaigre veut imposer son style au niveau international", "Legendary French Minimalist Designer Christian Liaigre Dies at 77", "A French Urban Planner's Furniture Collection for Holly Hunt", "Powerhouse Design Duo Pulls Off a Major Dallas Coup", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Christian_Liaigre&oldid=1105004862, This page was last edited on 18 August 2022, at 01:05. "His taste and style was unmatched and his refined simplicity and elegance stood above everybody else. He was a true original and a star. Joy Moyler, interior designer, Its the end of an era. Creators Similar to Christian Liaigre Christian Astuguevieille Shop All Christian Astuguevieille Furniture 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. He was such a visionary. Surrounded by the best craftsmen, he imagined and delivered spaces that expressed simplicity, sincerity, a modern and timeless style, alongside natural attention to wellbeing, said his studio. Strong, minimal, and with both form and material thoughtfully considered, the lamp is a functional sculpture. "The world is less without him. I will be forever inspired by his visionary aesthetic. Shawn Henderson, interior designer, He was one of my earliest inspirations of my career and he will be sorely missed. In 1981, he designed a collection of cabinets for Nobilis. Christian Liaigre was born on Aug. 10, 1943, in La Rochelle, France. His straightforward lines, and elegant proportions were a revelation! You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [emailprotected]. 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. 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. 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. His clients included Larry Gagosian, Marina Abramovi, Bryan Adams, Calvin Klein, Rupert Murdoch, and Carole Bouquet. In a time when chaos reigns, we crave interiors that make us feel calm and balanced. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter. When he retired in 2016, he handed the reins over to long-term . Boards; Inquire; Christian Liaigre Nickel plated Bronze reading light by . 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. It's art. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. 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. 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. Strong, minimal, and with both form and material thoughtfully considered, the lamp is a functional sculpture. Moreover, the overall impression consisted in extremely simple shapes that let materials define the surfaces. News of the death of French interior architect and designer Christian Liaigre, aged 77, sent me back in time, some 20 years, maybe more. Christian's departure allowed a constructive work on the brandits roots, its influences, and dynamics. African sculptures next to Louis XV furniture, the neutrality of the architecture., He added, People were beguiled by that hotel.. Liaigre eventually stepped down from his studio in 2016, handing over the position of creative director to long-term collaborator Frauke Meyer. And there was not this expensive and exclusive model of hotel with small rooms in a cast-iron building in SoHo. Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.