Garouste & Bonetti
1980-2002
The Masters of the New Barbarian Design
The duo of Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti overturned the conventions of industrial design in the 1980s. Reacting against cold minimalism, they imposed a poetic, ‘Barbarian’ style, reviving fine craftsmanship and primitive forms. Their collaboration with Christian Lacroix on the design of his couture house sealed their worldwide fame as the new faces of French luxury.
The Aesthetic: Between Dream and Primitivism
The Garouste & Bonetti style is recognisable by its sculptural quality and organic lines inspired by nature or antiquity. Their creations are not mere furniture but narrative objects that blend the strange and the wondrous with absolute elegance.
Materials: Wrought iron, gilded bronze, terracotta, raw wood and gold leaf.
Icons: The ‘Barbare’ chair, the ‘Patchwork’ table and lighting in plant-like or solar forms.
A Collector's Signature
Today, Garouste & Bonetti's pieces have become classics of contemporary design, fiercely contested at the greatest auctions. Their ability to fuse art and furniture appeals to collectors who want to step beyond the standard and create interiors of character, at once whimsical and prestigious.
