Longchamp announces a creative partnership with renowned furniture designer Pierre Renart, set to be unveiled at Milan Design Week 2025 from 7 to 13 April. This collaboration marks a milestone for Renart, as it is his first time working with a combination of wood and leather and his debut at the world's largest design event.
Longchamp's commitment to supporting innovative talent has been evident through its involvement in the ANDAM Fashion Awards and regular artistic collaborations. This new venture highlights Renart's exceptional craftsmanship, showcasing his ability to merge elegance and fluidity in design. Since graduating from École Boulle in Paris in 2011, Renart has gained international recognition, with his sculptural furniture pieces acquired by museums and private collectors alike.
A partnership rooted in craftsmanship
'Longchamp has a long-standing commitment to promoting creative talent, supporting the arts, and preserving savoir-faire in all its forms,' says Sophie Delafontaine, Creative Director of Longchamp. 'We are delighted to be accompanying Pierre in this project, which enables him to experiment with new techniques, to extend his savoir-faire, and to bring his work to the attention of a wider audience.'
Renart's connection with Longchamp began in 2021, when the House commissioned him to create furniture, including variations of his Wave coffee table, for its boutique redesign project. Now, this collaboration takes a step further with two exclusive designs: the "Wave cuir" bench and a set of eight "Ruban" chairs, which will be displayed at Longchamp's Milan flagship store during Milan Design Week.
Innovative design meets timeless materials
Crafted from American walnut and upholstered in supple cowhide leather, both pieces reflect Renart's signature pure, flowing lines, inspired by organic forms found in nature. His technique involves assembling ultra-thin wood sheets, bending them into seamless, sculptural forms that appear to be crafted in a single, unbroken movement.
'My aim, when a piece is finished, is for it to be somehow definitive and timeless, for you not to want to add anything or take anything away,' explains Pierre Renart. 'I try to do something original with wood, something that runs counter to its traditional, somewhat rigid image.'
For Renart, working with leather was a long-held aspiration. 'Leather is a magnificent material to work with,' he says. 'When I met Sophie Delafontaine, she took me through all the different types of leather and how Longchamp uses them. It's exciting to be able to apply that expertise to my designs.'
A fusion of materials
The Wave cuir bench will be upholstered in a rich mahogany shade, while each of the eight Ruban chairs will feature a unique colour, including Longchamp's heritage dark green and light green.
'These designs are all Pierre's work,' adds Sophie Delafontaine, 'but we challenged him on a single point: to ensure that – even with the combination of wood and leather – the pieces looked as light and fluid as if they had been executed in wood alone. We wanted him to keep the idea of movement, of the single, unbroken line – and clearly, he has done exactly that.'
Showcase and availability
Both designs will be displayed at Longchamp's Milan flagship store on Via della Spiga from 7 April to 13 May. The unique Ruban chairs will be available for purchase, making this a rare opportunity to own a piece of Renart's visionary craftsmanship.
More information:
Longchamp
www.longchamp.com