Saint Laurent presents a groundbreaking exhibition of Charlotte Perriand’s visionary designs at Milan's Salone del Mobile, bridging the worlds of fashion and architecture.
By Design Editorial Staff
In a stunning fusion of high fashion and pioneering design, Saint Laurent's Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello has unveiled an extraordinary collaboration with the estate of legendary modernist Charlotte Perriand during Milan Design Week. The exhibition, titled Saint Laurent-Charlotte Perriand, presents four iconic furniture designs—previously existing only as prototypes or sketches—meticulously reproduced and reissued in limited editions by the revered French fashion house.
This cultural resurrection brings Perriand's groundbreaking approach to furniture design to life, showcasing pieces dating from 1943 to 1967 that epitomize the zenith of mid-century modernism. The craftsmanship and materiality in these recreations speak to both Perriand's uncompromising standards and Saint Laurent's unwavering dedication to excellence.
“This collaboration represents the convergence of two revolutionary French talents separated by time but united by a shared vision,” notes a representative from the Perriand Foundation. “Both Perriand and Yves Saint Laurent transformed the world of design in their respective fields.”
The exhibition’s centerpiece is the debut of the Table Mille-Feuilles (1963) in its full-scale form. Previously known only as a small maquette on Perriand's desk, the table features ten layers of rosewood and cherrywood, creating a striking visual effect. Each production piece will be one-of-a-kind, with the natural variations in the wood grain ensuring every iteration is unique.
Equally impressive is La Banquette de la Résidence de l'Ambassadeur du Japon à Paris (1967), a monumental five-seat sofa originally designed for the Japanese Ambassador's residence in Paris. The design incorporates a seven-meter-long base that curves upward at each end, creating the illusion that the piece is floating. Crafted from rosewood and cane with Jim Thompson Thai silk upholstery, it exemplifies Perriand’s mastery in combining form, function, and cultural sensitivity.
The exhibition also features La Bibliothèque Rio de Janeiro (1962), a distinctive bookcase made from Brazilian rosewood with sliding cane doors, originally created for Perriand’s husband, Jacques Martin. Completing the collection is Le Fauteuil Visiteur Indochine (1943), a striking chair that fuses modernist principles with vernacular elements, made from chromed tubing, rosewood, and leather, topped with a traditional Thai cushion.
This collaboration honors Yves Saint Laurent's lifelong admiration for Perriand’s work. The couturier was known to collect her pieces, and Pierre Bergé was a staunch supporter of major retrospectives of her designs around the world.
"This collaboration continues Saint Laurent's commitment to cultural heritage, making these rare design treasures accessible to a wider audience," explains Vaccarello. "It’s about honoring the past while creating something deeply relevant to today."
The exhibition will be on view from April 8-13 at the Padiglione Visconti in Milan, with each limited-edition piece available on a made-to-order basis. Alongside the Milan show, selections of Perriand's photography will be exhibited at two Saint Laurent retail locations in Paris: Saint Laurent Babylone (April 9 – May 4) and Saint Laurent Rive Droite Paris (April 8 – May 7).
This collaboration reinforces Saint Laurent's position not only as a fashion house but as a cultural institution that transcends the boundaries of fashion, art, and design—much like Charlotte Perriand herself, who broke through the constraints of her era to become one of the 20th century’s most influential designers.