Andrée Putman's Iconic Designs Return to the Spotlight
The minimalist creations of 90s style icon Andrée Putman are being reissued for contemporary audiences.
1Pioneer of the Boutique Hotel Concept
Andrée Putman revolutionized hospitality design with her 1984 interiors for New York's Morgans Hotel, considered the world's first boutique hotel. Her signature black-and-white checkerboard bathrooms with industrial metal sinks redefined luxury. This bold approach earned her the nickname 'Queen of the Checkerboard.' At the time, her use of inexpensive tiles instead of marble caused a sensation in design circles.
2Luxury in the Skies: Concorde Cabins
Another landmark project was Putman's design for the supersonic Concorde's cabins in the 1980s. These interiors represented the pinnacle of minimalist luxury, featuring smart solutions for tight spaces, metallic gauze curtains, and functional furniture that transformed aviation design. Her work proved luxury wasn't about ornamentation but intelligent spatial solutions.
3Ecart International: Reviving Design History
Through Ecart International, founded in 1978, Putman resurrected forgotten Art Deco pieces by designers like Eileen Gray and Jean-Michel Frank. Although sold in 1994 and now under Pierre Yovanovitch's direction, this legacy continues. Putman's archival work demonstrated how design history could inform contemporary practice through thoughtful reissues.
4The Rebirth of Collector's Pieces
Under CEO Aurélie Laure and Putman's daughter Olivia, over 60 iconic designs have been reissued recently. From her 1978 'Voie Lactée' wool-silk rug to the 1988 'Compas Dans L'Oeil' lamp, these limited editions stay true to originals while incorporating modern materials. Even her personal 1992 tile table for Jean-Paul Goude now comes in special silver-leaf versions.
5New Showrooms in Design Capitals
Andrée Putman Studio opened a Paris showroom this year, followed by a Manhattan space in May on Bowery - where Putman once mingled with artists like Basquiat, Haring and Warhol. Olivia's summer working at Basquiat's nearby studio strengthened these artistic connections that continue to inspire the brand's direction today.
6Ministry Chairs Reimagined
Putman's 1984 'Agenda de Ministre' office chairs for France's Ministry of Culture are being reproduced. These designs perfectly blended functional ergonomics with aesthetic minimalism - a radical approach for government offices at the time. They represent how Putman brought modernist principles into institutional spaces.
7Jean-Paul Goude's Signature Table
The white-tiled 'Mille et un Carré' table Putman created in 1992 for graphic designer Jean-Paul Goude's Paris home now returns in limited silver-leaf editions. This piece exemplifies her pioneering 'high-low' approach, elevating industrial materials through artistic vision. Such designs blurred boundaries between art and functional objects.
8An Enduring Design Legacy
Designer Elliott Barnes, Putman's assistant for 17 years, recalls how she transformed industrial ball-bearings into chic bracelets. Her classical approach to reducing decoration to its essence continues influencing designers today. As 2023 marks her centennial, Putman's timeless vision finds new relevance with contemporary audiences discovering her work.