Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) was a pioneer of modern design in France during the twentieth century. Her avant-garde vision was expressed in color, organic forms, and streamlined functionality, elements which are still at the heart of contemporary design today. Her furnishings were created from aluminum, rubber, chrome, leather, bamboo, and above all, wood their appeal is timeless. This lavishly illustrated book, accompanying a major retrospective at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, explores how much in the vanguard she was in her use of materials, in her social and political awareness, and in her collaborations with artists, architects, and other designers. The show presents a global vision of her creativity, talent, and inventiveness, exploring her commitment to women and to a humanist design ethos that took into account the middle and working classes with an emphasis on rationalizing costs and space. This book, with essays by an international roster of art, architecture, and design historians, offers a plurality of perspectives and explores Perriand's creative legacy through the 20th century and beyond.

Pernette Perriand is Charlotte Perriand's daughter and her longstanding assistant. Jacques Barsac is author of Charlotte Perriand catalogue raisonné (volume 4 to be published). There are also contributions from international authors including Mary McLeod, Romy Golan and Japanese Yuko Kikuchi.