Pierre Paulin

Who was Pierre Paulin?

Pierre Paulin was a French furniture designer and interior designer. His uncle Georges Paulin was a part-time automobile designer and invented the mechanical retractible hardtop. He was later executed by the Nazi's in 1941 as a hero of the French Resistance. After failing his Baccalauréat, he trained to become a ceramist in Vallaurius on the French Rivera and then as a stone-carver in Burgundy. Soon after, he injured his right arm in a fight, ending his dreams as a sculptor but attend the Ecole Camondo in Paris. He had a stint with the Gascoin company in Le Havre where he gained an interest in Scandinavian and Japanese design. He was famed for his innovative work with Artifort in the 1960s and interior design in the 70's.

At the time, his chair designs were considered very modern and unique and kick started the successes of his designs among the younger population. Even today, his pieces are still being made and are sought after at auctions.