Charlotte Perriand

CHARLOTTE PERRIAND (France, 1903 – 1999).
Set of six chairs modelled on the "Les Arcs" chair. Chromed tubular steel frame, cognac-coloured patinated grain leather upholstery. 1970s. One chair is stamped 1972.
With wear, patina and marks.
Measurements: 82 x 48 x 59 cm.
Charlotte Perriand used this model for the interior decoration of the famous Les Arcs ski resort in Savoie, France, in the 1960s. They present a minimalist design, with a structure reduced to its essence, functional and at the same time elegant for its harmonious combination of straight lines and smooth curves. The upholstery is joined to the structure by cognac-colored artificial leather bands, like the rest of the seat, and is decorated with metallic studs.
Charlotte Perriand worked in Le Corbusier's studio as head of furniture and interiors. She was a French artist, architect and designer of great international prestige, promoter of modern interior architecture. Inspired by Japanese minimalism, she developed the concept of storage furniture and, together with Jean Prouvé, she practiced the democratization of interior design with key pieces of the 20th century. She became known at just 24 years old with her “Bar sous le Toit” made of chromed steel and anodized aluminum that was presented at the Salon d'Automne in 1927. Shortly after she began her journey of more than ten years together with Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier. In 1927 she established her first studio of her own. She developed the concept of domestic storage and multifunctional furniture, equipping interiors for an emerging way of life and standardizing decoration, thus avoiding all extravagance. He collaborated with Le Corbusier on numerous architectural projects, designing the equipment for different homes such as the villas La Roche-Jeanneret, Church in Ville-d'Avray, Stein-de Monzie and the Villa Savoye, as well as the interiors of the Swiss Pavilion in the University City and the City of Refuge of the Army of Health, both in Paris. Additionally, she worked with him on the definition of the cellule minimum (1929). Her relationship with Le Corbusier was resumed after the war, developing the first prototype of the integrated kitchen for the Marseille Housing Unit. She also collaborated with Fernand Léger. Her career spanned places as diverse as Brazil, Congo, England, France, Japan, French New Guinea, Switzerland, and Vietnam. The Design Museum in London dedicated an exhibition to the designer in which her career was shown.