Pierre Paulin
1927-2009
The Élysée Designer
A cornerstone of French modernity, Pierre Paulin revolutionised seating worldwide. His talent truly flourished through his collaboration with the Dutch manufacturer Artifort. His renown became institutional when presidents Georges Pompidou and later François Mitterrand chose him to redesign the private apartments of the Élysée Palace, making him the ambassador of French style on the international stage.
The Aesthetic: Comfort and Organic Form
The Paulin style is defined by the abandonment of rigid structures in favour of sculptural, enveloping forms. He was one of the first to use stretch textile (‘Jersey’) to cover latex foam, transforming the seat into a sensual, fluid and incredibly comfortable object.
Materials: Tubular steel, polyurethane foam, stretch textile and fibreglass.
Icons: The ‘Ribbon’ chair, the ‘Tongue’ chair, the ‘Mushroom’ chair and the ‘Pumpkin’ sofa.
A Global Design Icon
Today, Pierre Paulin's creations are exhibited in the greatest museums, from MoMA in New York to the Centre Pompidou in Paris. His pieces are major investments for collectors: they bring a touch of bold modernity and an organic elegance that never goes out of fashion.
