Jacques Adnet
1900-1984
The Master of French Modernism
A visionary architect and decorator, Jacques Adnet directed the prestigious Compagnie des Arts Français (CAF) for 30 years. A leading figure of the 1930s style, he moved towards a pared-down design, becoming one of the first to bring metal and glass into luxury furnishings.
The Aesthetic: Rigour and Leather
The Adnet style stands out for its pursuit of geometric perfection and understated elegance. He is world-renowned for having ‘dressed’ furniture in leather, creating a singular contrast between rigid structure and the nobility of hide.
Materials: Masterful use of saddle-stitched leather, tubular steel and sheathed metal.
Icons: The famous round ‘Adnet’ mirror for Hermès, leather-shafted lamps and black-metal desks.
Timeless Elegance
Thanks to his historic collaboration with Hermès in the 1950s, Jacques Adnet left an indelible mark on French luxury. His pieces, at once functional and architectural, are today sound investments for collectors of 20th-century design.
