Saint Laurent enters Milan Design Week with a focused project curated by Anthony Vaccarello, bringing Charlotte Perriand’s lesser-seen furniture sketches to life. The project, Saint Laurent – Charlotte Perriand, introduces four designs developed between 1943 and 1967, each one realized in full scale for the first time. Long preserved as prototypes or drawings, the pieces now take form as limited-edition reissues.
Vaccarello selected the works from private sources and original maquettes. The chosen pieces, a large sofa, a bookcase, an armchair, and a circular table, reflect Perriand’s distinctive design language and explore how she adapted modern forms to the specific needs of different spaces, from personal homes to diplomatic interiors.
The Diplomatic Sofa
One standout piece is the Banquette de la Résidence de l’Ambassadeur du Japon à Paris, designed in 1967 for the Japanese ambassador’s residence. Perriand created the sweeping, five-seat sofa in collaboration with architect Junzô Sakakura. Rosewood and cane define the body of the design, while Jim Thompson Thai silk finishes the surface. The sofa measures over seven meters and curves upward at each end, giving the structure an elevated appearance despite its scale. With support from the Japanese Embassy in Paris, the brand reinterpreted the piece using archival references.
A Bookcase Built for Art and Books
Perriand originally designed the Bibliothèque Rio de Janeiro in 1962 for her husband Jacques Martin. Built in solid Brazilian rosewood with sliding cane doors, the bookcase accommodates both literature and art objects. It reflects local craftsmanship, borrowing from traditional Brazilian techniques used for house shading. The original version has rarely appeared publicly, with only three known exhibitions over the past 25 years.
The Table That Never Was
The Table Mille-Feuilles, first sketched in 1963, remained a model on Perriand’s desk for decades. The table features a circular top composed of ten stacked wood layers, alternating between dark and light varieties. The center dips inward to create soft concentric circles. Production proved too complex during Perriand’s lifetime, but with new tooling, Saint Laurent constructed the piece using rosewood and cherrywood. Each edition will show slight variations, depending on how the wood behaves during shaping.
Designs From a Time Abroad
In 1943, while working in Vietnam as Director of Crafts and Applied Arts, Perriand designed Le Fauteuil Visiteur Indochine for her personal space. The chair itself was lost, but a surviving drawing informed the new version. The updated design features a chrome frame, rosewood details, leather seating, and a cushion made with traditional Thai materials.
Exhibitions in Milan and Paris
All four pieces will appear at the Padiglione Visconti in Milan from April 8 to 13. Each item will be available only through made-to-order requests. Alongside the furniture launch, Saint Laurent will present a curated volume of Perriand’s photography and a full catalogue at its Editions kiosk in Piazza San Babila.
In Paris, the project continues with two satellite displays. Saint Laurent Rive Droite will feature selected photographs from April 8 to May 7, while Saint Laurent Babylone will present a similar series from April 9 to May 4. Through these activations, the brand builds a broader platform for Perriand’s work, moving her designs from personal archives to a contemporary audience.
