Charlotte Perriand

Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) is best known for her extensive work with le Corbusier. In the 1920s they, along with Pierre Jeanneret, designed a successful and iconic group of armchairs and a chaise longue, later re issued by Cassina. The chaise longue often upholstered in ponyskin was an immediate success as she was photographed reclining on it.

Perriand born in Paris, was trained at L`Ecole de l`Union Centrale des Arts Decoratifs. She was one of the founding members of the Union des Artistes modernes, where she met the celebrated designer Jean Prouve with whom she would design furniture,and interiors to showcase his furniture.She went to Japan in 1940 and was the acting advisor on arts and crafts for the Ministry of Commerce.Later back in France her work reflected the simplicity of design that was the Japanese aesthetic.

The conference rooms of the United Nations Building in Geneva are one of her largest commissions.