1991

HERVÉ VAN DER STRAETEN

The creation of jewellery is but one chapter in the history of the object that Hervé Van der Straeten has been writing since 1985, starting with furniture and interior design. This former student of the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris does more work in painting and sculpture than in fashion design.

Remaining aloof to the seasonal cycles and trends of the fashion world, he has created a distinctive style which is recognisable by its generous volumes, rich materials and evocations of a world inspired by Matisse and Cocteau. He is especially fond of natural materials like semiprecious stones, crystal and ceramic, sometimes working with hammered metal, antiqued brass or gilt bronze. This rich palette of warm, glimmering tones gives rise to spectacular, lavishly baroque shapes inspired by nature and mythology.
The list of couture houses and designer labels which have commissioned projects from him since 1985 is most impressive: Yves Saint Laurent, Thierry Mugler, Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Martine Sitbon, Pierre Balmain, Guy Paulin, Rifat Ozbek, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Sonia Rykiel, Chloé, Lanvin, Givenchy, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and many more.

Philippe Model gave him his first sales space in the Marché Saint Honoré shop, and the Hervé Van der Straeten label soon met with sensational success. At the same time, he continued to be very active in the theatre and cinema world. He took advantage of his 1991 ANDAM fellowship to further develop his fashion projects.
Starting in 1992, Van der Straeten branched out to interior design, working with prestigious houses such as Bernardaud, Saint Louis and Arthus Bertrand.
He has also created fragrance flacons for Nina Ricci, Dior and Lanvin.
The opening of a spacious store-workshop in 1999, functioning as both exhibition space and sales outlet, allows him to display all the different facets of his work in jewellery, decorative objects and furniture. Thematic exhibits have enabled guest artists like Thomas Boog, Olivier Gagnère and Jean-François Lesage to share this space.