Our story with Thierry Lemaire dates back to our inception: He was one of the first star designers to embrace Invisible Collection’s philosophy and ethos, sharing the same enthusiasm for bringing to a wider audience of connoisseurs and collectors the new French aesthetic that has become our signature. This is why we are more than thrilled to host his most remarkable designs in our Upper East Side gallery for an opening that coincides with the start of the NYCxDesign and Oui Design! festivals. The gallery’s two floors will showcase a seamless blend of pieces, ranging from seating to lighting and tables, creating a dreamy atmosphere that feels warm, sophisticated, and inviting.
An AD100 honoree, Thierry Lemaire needs no introduction. An accomplished architect, interior and furniture designer, he is a master of his craft, sought after for his signature mix of sophistication and boldness in all his countless projects across the globe. Focusing on interior architecture and design, he realized his first interior design projects for private residences in Paris and Geneva, using colours, materials, and volumes to imbue these spaces with the signature soulful style that would become his own. In the early 2000s he made himself known internationally, with some Gstaad chalets, for which he innovated a style that was quite different from the traditional connotation of the picturesque mountain abode. True architectural performances featured raw woods in predominantly dark overtones, illuminated by touches of flamboyant colour, decorated with furniture designed with radical lines and deluxe materials, but never ostentatious. The seductive style gained popularity and led to ever more commissions. Equally passionate about the space and the contents within, Thierry Lemaire began designing furniture pieces for his projects.
Drawing on his native New Caledonia and his Breton roots, a passion for vintage cars, and the influences of designers like Jean Michel Frank and Jean Prouvé, Thierry Lemaire infuses his work with a poetic blend of the old and new. His signature style—sophisticated yet radically simple—features a dynamic mix of straight lines and curves, streamlined shapes, and a fusion of noble, precious materials, all underscored by a commitment to craftsmanship and customization. Coffee tables, sofas, armchairs, side tables, and lighting fixtures are defined by strong graphic lines; furniture pieces available in limited editions, all entirely made in France by the best artisans. His most notable designs include the Koumac armchair, the Hellmet side table, the Twist console, the Niko sofa, the Yaba coffee table, and the Beaune lamp. “In general, finding a name for each design is very playful” says Lemaire, “in some cases the name relates to the project for which the furniture was created. Like Niko, for Nicolas. Sometimes it draws from a reference to an exotic travel memory… For example, the island of Sumba in Indonesia with names of villages or rivers. This yields original words that I always enjoy hearing. Sometimes, it’s more personal: R12 is the name of my dog, Yaba and Koumac are the names of places in New Caledonia where I was born.”
A regular presence in the famed AD100 list, celebrating the most prominent talents in interior design and architecture, Thierry Lemaire was honored with the task of refurbishing the reception salons of the Elysée Palace, which are now appointed with his most significant furniture pieces, including the desk of French President Emmanuel Macron. In addition, his designs are included in the permanent collection of Mobilier national. Don’t miss Thierry Lemaire’s first U.S. exhibition at Invisible Collection New York, open through June 30.
