French designer born in 1965 and trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Hervé Van der Straeten became known in 1985 through his collections of graphic and sculptural jewelry. Completely independent, he gains international recognition thanks to his designs of furniture, mirrors and lighting in a striking style. Hervé Van der Straeten’s work combines radical freedom of tone with high quality execution. Hybridity, elegance and purity determine his approach. The Van der Straeten gallery, opened in Paris in the Marais in 1999, presents unique pieces or in limited series grouped together in thematic exhibitions. These pieces, which the strong presence makes very identifiable, are made in the bronze and cabinet-making workshops that the designer has established and developed over the years.
At the same time, he creates pieces that have become iconic for certain large luxury houses: the “J’adore” bottle by Dior, the “Kiss Kiss” lipstick by Guerlain or the “Excess” line for the Saint Louis crystal works and illustrate his product design skills.
Hervé Van der Straeten creations are now acclaimed by major collectors, international decorators and institutions.
His work is regularly exhibited abroad: in galleries such as Karsten Greve and Ralph Pucci but also in major international fairs such as Tefaf and PAD. Le Mobilier National – official supplier of furniture and decorative objects to the French State since Louis XIV – as well as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs have acquired representative pieces.
Awarded with numerous prizes and distinctions, the workshops received in 2007 the “Living Heritage Company” label from the Ministry of Culture and the company has been a member of the Colbert committee since September 2012. Hervé Van der Straeten was appointed Chevalier de the Order of Arts and Letters.