The Photography of Charlotte Perriand: A Glimpse into the Images of an Iconic Designer

Charlotte Perriand was born on October 24, 1903, in Paris, France. Her mother was a seamstress and her father, a tailor. Perriand studied at the École de l’Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. During her studies, Perriand became interested in photography and began to experiment with the medium.

In the early 1920s, Perriand was introduced to Le Corbusier, who would become one of the most influential architects and designers of the 20th century. Le Corbusier was impressed by Perriand’s work and invited her to join his studio. Perriand worked with Le Corbusier from 1927 to 1937, during which time she helped to design some of the most iconic pieces of furniture of the 20th century.

Perriand’s early work as a photographer had a significant influence on her later design work. She was fascinated by the way that objects could be transformed through photography, and she used this approach to create furniture that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Perriand’s work was characterized by a focus on simplicity and functionality, and she was known for her use of materials such as steel, glass, and aluminum. Later on, she would go on to use more organic materials, like wood and straw (jute). 

In the early years of her career, Perriand was also heavily influenced by the work of the Russian Constructivists, who sought to create art and design that was both functional and socially useful. Perriand shared this belief, and her work was often inspired by the idea that design could be used to improve people’s lives. Just check out what she did at Les Arcs!