Charlotte Perriand was born in Paris on October 24, 1903, and became one of the most influential figures in 20th-century design. She trained at the École de l’Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, where she rejected traditional decorative arts in favor of functional, geometric forms and industrial materials such as steel, aluminum, and glass. Early in her career she attracted attention with her “Bar sous le Toit” installation at the Salon d’Automne, leading to her collaboration with Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, where she helped design iconic modern furniture that emphasized comfort, utility, and clarity.
Perriand’s career spanned furniture, interiors, architecture, and exhibition design, always grounded in the belief that good design improves everyday life and contributes to a better society. She embraced influences from her travels - especially in Japan - and experimented with natural materials, modular systems, and human-centered solutions. Her work reshaped modern living through pieces that were functional, elegant, and adaptable, and her legacy continues to inspire designers worldwide. Perriand passed away in Paris on October 27, 1999.
