HERVÉ
VAN DER STRAETEN
Born in Bretigny-sur-Orge, France, 1965
French designer Hervé Van der Straeten was born in 1965 and studied at the Paris École des Beaux-arts. His reputation grew from 1985 thanks to his graphic, sculptured jewellery collections. He has gained international recognition through the striking designs of his furniture, mirrors and lighting. Hervé Van der Straeten is truly independent and his work combines a radical freedom of expression with meticulous execution. Hybridization, elegance and refinement are his watchwords. The Van der Straeten Gallery, which opened in the Marais neighbourhood of Paris in 1999, includes one of a kind or limited edition pieces grouped in thematic exhibitions. These pieces’ strong presence renders them instantly recognisable. They are made in the bronze and cabinet-making workshops set up and expanded by the designer over the years.
He has also created items for leading luxury brands, many of which have become design icons such as Dior's "J’adore" perfume bottle, Guerlain's "KissKiss" lipstick and the "Excess" range for Saint Louis glass manufacturers, all of which demonstrate his product design skills.
Hervé Van der Straeten designs are now greatly in demand among major collectors, international interior designers and institutions.
His work is often featured in exhibitions abroad, in galleries such as Karsten Greve and Ralph Pucci, as well as at the biggest art fairs around the world such as TEFAF and PAD. The Mobilier National – official suppliers of furniture and decorative objects to the French state since the time of Louis XIV - as well as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs have both purchased pieces which are representative of his work.
Hervé Van der Straeten's workshops have earned a number of awards and in 2007 were named a "Living Heritage Business" (“Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant”) by France's Ministry of Culture while the company became a member of the Comité Colbert - an association set up to promote the concept of luxury - in September 2012. In 2008, Hervé Van der Straeten was named Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres.