The Brand is Reissuing Prototypes from the Designer’s Archives for the Salone del Mobile in Milan
Saint Laurent is set to honor a pivotal figure in 20th-century design, Charlotte Perriand, with a special exhibition during the Salone del Mobile in Milan. The event, titled “Saint Laurent — Charlotte Perriand,” will run from April 8 to 13 at the Padiglione Visconti and will feature four rare furniture pieces dating from 1943 to 1967.
These pieces, selected by Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello, were originally prototypes or sketches, some of which were designed by Perriand for her own homes around the world. Saint Laurent has meticulously reproduced these designs, which will be available on a made-to-order basis in a limited edition.
The brand explained the significance of this partnership in a statement: “The partnership between Saint Laurent and Charlotte Perriand is the latest example of the house’s ongoing commitment to heritage, aimed to bring important artifacts of design culture — previously hidden in inaccessible collections — to a wider audience.” The collaboration also pays homage to Yves Saint Laurent’s appreciation for Perriand’s work, which he collected throughout his life.
Among the showcased items is the Rio de Janeiro bookcase, designed in 1962 for Perriand’s second husband, Jacques Martin, who was working for Air France in Brazil at the time. Constructed from solid rosewood, the bookcase features sliding doors made of woven cane and is designed to display art alongside books.
Another highlight is the Indochina guest armchair, created in 1943 for Perriand’s residence in Vietnam. The original piece was lost, but Saint Laurent has recreated it from a drawing.
The Mille-feuilles table, designed in 1963, is another notable piece. It consists of 10 layers of two types of wood arranged in concentric circles. Each table produced will be unique due to the distinct patterns formed during its manufacture.
The final piece is a sofa designed in 1967 for the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Paris. This large sofa, which features a 23-foot-long curving base, was part of the interiors overseen by Perriand, originally designed by architect Junzo Sakakura.
To complement the Milan exhibition, Saint Laurent will also feature a selection of Perriand’s photographs at its bookshop and record store on Rue de Babylone in Paris from April 9 to May 4, and at its Rive Droite flagship on Rue Saint-Honoré from April 8 to May 7. Additionally, a temporary Saint Laurent Editions kiosk outside its Piazza San Babila store will offer a book of Perriand’s photographs alongside a catalog of the new furniture collection during Milan Design Week.
