designchicagomag.com designchicagomag.com THE MART DESIGN CHICAGO 75 74 DESIGN CHICAGO THE MART 1950 - International Expansion Following World War II, Pierre Frey set out to conquer the American market, while the maison also experienced strong growth across Europe. The company quickly established itself as one of the great French names in upholstery textiles. 1969 - A New Impulse Patrick Frey joined the company and later assumed artistic leadership. With a strong product vision and international outlook, he helped modernize the company by developing showrooms, strengthening communication, and building a global presence. CULTURAL IDENTITY Maison Pierre Frey is known for bold eclecticism—a mix of influences that often includes tribal and global decorative arts, 18th-century French design, contemporary art and artists, and historical textile archives. Clockwise from top right: Louis Barthélemy’s Merveilles d’Egypte collection. True Velvet by India Mahdavi. Beau Monde by Noëmie Vallerand. A restoration of the author Victor Hugo’s Hauteville House in Guernsey. Hugo was devoted customer of Braquenié, which Pierre Frey acquired in 1991. They helped to restore his Red Room with archival, historically accurate fabrics, based on photographs from Hugo’s time in the home. 1976 - The Comité Colbert Maison Pierre Frey became a member of the Comité Colbert, the association of French luxury houses promoting excellence in craftsmanship and culture worldwide. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: PHOTOGRAPHY BY ETHAN HERRINGTON, PHILLIPE GARCIA, ETHAN HERRINGTON. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: YANN DERET, MOHAMED SHERIF, PHILLIPE GARCIA, PHILLIPE GARCIA, JEAN-CHRISTOPHE GODET.