Pierre Yovanovitch celebrates 10 years of his ‘Asymmetry’ chair with a renewed collection

“Ten years ago, it was just an idea,” reflects Pierre Yovanovitch, with a hint of nostalgia. “I started by shaping the object using modelling clay, not a single sketch or blueprint—and then something incredible happened."

A decade ago, a spark of inspiration led the renowned French designer on a journey of creativity, collaboration, and artistic innovation. Little did he know that the idea he birthed would eventually become the iconic Asymmetry chair, a symbol of Yovanovitch’s design prowess. Today, as the Asymmetry chair celebrates its 10th anniversary, it is not just a testament to the furniture designer’s genius, but also, a celebration of enduring friendships and artistic synergy.

In the world of furniture design, this chair is a striking example of the power and appeal of asymmetry. Its form breaks free from the constraints of perfect symmetry, wholly embracing the beauty of irregularity. The product design's unconventional shape offers a sense of artistic freedom as its lines and folds create a unique and captivating presence. Asymmetry challenges the norms of chair design, inviting us to appreciate the allure of asymmetry in a world that often seeks balance and order. With this striking piece, Yovanovitch showcases his daring and innovative approach to design.

To mark this significant milestone, the French interior designer turned to his long-time friend and talented artist, Claire Tabouret, to create a special, limited edition series that would pay tribute to a decade of design excellence. The French artist drew inspiration for the Asymmetry collection from kites—when gazing at the chair, she couldn’t help but notice its resemblance to origami, with its intricate folds and apparent lines. The chair’s form, simultaneously embracive and light, furthered her creative spark.

The artistic journey began with a collaboration with the Royal Manufacture of Bonvallet, where the fabrics, including the curly woollen fabric that envelopes the armchair, were meticulously crafted and dyed. The kites, symbolising fragility and freedom, were fashioned from satin fabric and dyed to achieve the desired effect. The Caraco Workshop then skilfully sewed these kites into a collage, representing the delicate balance between freedom and attachment, just like a kite in flight.

“It is a very careful task of collage and composition since it consists of multiple fabric pieces. Therefore, it symbolises fragility, beauty, freedom and non-freedom too, as it is still attached to the string. It signifies the importance of taking care of people and things so that they hold. A kite is an object that flies and needs to be held as well; if you let it go, it falls, it breaks and gets damaged," Yovanovitch elaborates.

The product designer emphasises the meticulous process of creating these chairs, almost akin to the careful assembly of a kite. This symbolism runs like a thread throughout the collection, representing the fragility, beauty, and the duality of freedom and attachment. Like a kite that soars high when held, these chairs remind us of the significance of nurturing our connections with people and the world around us. The artistic partnership between Yovanovitch and Tabouret is enriched by their shared affinity for childhood, infusing the collection with a sense of innocence and wonder, as they invite us to capture the magic of our formative years.

The Asymmetry anniversary collection weaves together the expertise of French craftsmanship, uniting Atelier Jouffre, Royal Bonvallet and L’Atelier Caraco. Every chair in this collection is a work of art, a living tribute to the incredible effort put in by skilled artisans. It combines the designer’s characteristic simplicity with an extraordinary level of detail in design. Tabouret further highlights this fusion by sharing, “As with (Yovanovitch's) general approach to design, there is this juxtaposition of simplicity and ease with the reality of precision and an exceptional level of savoir-faire involved in creating his work.”

Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier, rooted in the ‘haute facture’ design approach, celebrates a collaborative spirit where Europe’s most skilled craftspeople unite to craft timeless creations. Sustainability is an underlying principle that informs this designer’s works and ethos, with a focus on selecting raw materials from natural, environmentally-friendly sources. The result is a collection of enduring works that not only prioritise quality but also take into account their environmental impact.

This unique series of 10 exclusive pieces in honour of Asymmetry’s 10th anniversary will be showcased in Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier’s new exhibition space in Paris from October 12 - 26, 2023, timed to coincide with Paris+ par Art Basel. This celebration paves the way for the brand’s first US showroom and headquarters in the heart of New York City’s Chelsea art district, which is planned for inauguration in November 2023.

“In many ways, it is particularly fitting to commemorate the opening of our new Paris furniture gallery with a celebration of one of my original furniture designs. When the idea of creating a special collection came to mind, I intuitively thought of Claire Tabouret. Having known her for a decade, the collection is a reflection of our friendship and creative synergy. The richness of her work and the common theme brings transience, poetry, colour and movement to this otherwise geometric, almost rock-like form”, explains the designer on the artistic connection explored and realised with the Asymmetry anniversary collection.

In the world of design, the Asymmetry chair is a shining example of the power of creativity, collaboration and enduring friendship. As it turns 10, it continues to inspire and captivate, reminding us that unique creations often begin with a simple spark of imagination.