PIERRE YOVANOVITCH

“If I listened to my true self, I’d live with nothing but white walls and a bench.”

1965 - now

Early Influences: Jean-Michel Frank. ‘Swedish Grace’ movement from the early 20th century

Notable Clients: Christian Louboutin, François-Henri Pinault, The Kering Group

With his signature haute couture aesthetic, Pierre Yovanovitch set himself apart from his contemporaries and is now one of the most sought after French designers in the world. Born in Nice and based in Paris, Yovanovitch is spreading his unique French style globally with offices in Paris and New York. He is listed in Architectural Digest’s prestigious AD 100 directory and was recently announced Wallpaper*’s Designer of the Year 2019. He was also named one of the “Masters of the Dreamworld” by French Architectural Digest.

Like most of our icons, Yovanovitch found his true passion in interior architecture later in his career. He studied piano for seven years at a conservatory and then went to a business school before starting his career in fashion. He was the designer of Pierre Cardin’s menswear for successful 8 years prior to opening his own interior architecture firm in 2001. His interior design career started when he designed his own apartment and helped his friends to do their houses. Fast forward to nineteen years later, he is managing projects globally in residential, commercial and hospitality. He is respected and well known in the design world for his distinct talent in creating a contemporary lifestyle in historic residences and masterfully using volume and proportions. He likes to be called an interior architect rather than a designer as he focuses more on interior architecture as opposed to decoration. “I thought I’d set myself apart by giving priority to the volumes rather than to the decoration” he explains.

Yovanovitch’s interiors are elegant yet restrained, minimal but warm. They are extremely chic and high-end and delicately balanced with the use of rare wood, metal sculpted doors and marble floors. "Useless ornament must give way to essential” he says and describes his style as “monk-like but comfortable”. He brings his haute couture approach to interiors by using French artisans, bespoke furniture and specially commissioned art. He has a go-to team of French artisans and craftsmen that he regularly works with to create high-value bespoke elements. He admits that his way of working is expensive and projects can take up to five years to complete but that’s the very reason his clients come to him.

He has a special preference for mid century American and Scandinavian pieces with a particular interest in designers James Mont, Edward Wormley, Vladimir Kagan and Axel Einar Hjorth. He likes to include bespoke ceramic pieces in his designs and always completes his design work with a well considered contemporary art piece. His passion for contemporary art is very central to his work and he often commissions established and emerging talents to create on-site works. He creates one-of-a-kind interiors by carefully matching vintage furnitures with museum-worthy contemporary artworks. He once said in an interview, that “a home absolutely needs art. I closely collaborate with trusted gallerists to locate one-of-a-kind works that impart narrative and depth. I also commission artists to create site-specific pieces that add character. It’s central to my work and makes it stand apart.“ He also puts emphasis on innovative lighting such as luminous cornices and illuminated curves sliced into a ceiling.

As mentioned above, he is widely respected and well-known for his ability to redesign historic spaces to fit a contemporary lifestyle without losing the spirit of the space. “I like to combine different styles, periods and designs, to create a timeless look,” he says, “‘I focus on textures, angles and vintage elements to bring spaces to life.” Expect the unexpected from Yovanovitch as he likes to combine various materials and textures in a project such as wood, leather, stone, terracotta, bronze, lacquer, ironwork or custom textiles to surprise his audience. Understated luxury and pared back minimalism is at the core of all his projects. “I didn’t want anything over the top. This is the spirit of French design,” he explains, “I try to do so in a sober fashion while adding unexpected and surprising elements.”

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He now also has an extensive furniture collection ranging from armchairs to beds, accessories to ceiling lights. Just like his interiors, his furnishings are an ode to minimalism with a touch of playfulness such as his iconic Bear Family chairs including Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear. His OOPS collection of 24 custom design elements, including bear chairs, were showcased at Tribeca, US for the first time in 2017.

“Home is where I recharge and find inspiration, so it’s quite sacred—the design must reflect that “ - Pierre Yovanovitch

Books: Pierre Yovanovitch: Interior Architecture