forestier

It was 1992 when eccentric Frenchman Bernard Forestier found himself taken by the formal gardens he discovered while traipsing the cobbled streets of Paris. So taken was Forestier by the gardens, particularly the balance and the elegant combination of alternating straight lines and curves that it became the source of inspiration for his designs. Forestier’s passion for beautiful things was matched only by his love of the materials he worked with. Never one to march to the beat of another’s drum, he saw the botanical arts being introduced into the home, including the creation of woven metal wire items. He eventually turned to materials as different as rusted metal, zinc, and cast iron in order to present new designs that were lightweight and well-structured, combing French flair with humour. After Forestier’s untimely death, Gilles Dalliere took over the company’s creative course with a view to make each and every piece unique. The change in direction saw a focus on luxury and natural items. Today, Forestier under Jean Dominique Leze focuses on light and the many ways in which it is reflected. Unusual tools and solutions, new technology (such as solar and LED) combine with new forms of know-how to convey the poetic and aesthetic spirit of the company. Arik Levy and Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance are two of Forestier’s most prominent designers. And with key products as diverse and imaginative as In & Out, Angelius, Cage, SPI, Antenna, Mesh, Blow and East, it’s difficult to pin Forestier down to a specific niche.