Christian Liaigre launches flagship store in London’s Mayfair

The opening of Christian Liaigre’s new store in Mayfair, London, and accompanying capsule collection from the Liaigre studio, marks a new chapter for the respected French interior architect. Here, Wallpaper* looks back at Christian Liaigre’s three decades of design

Born on France’s Atlantic coast, Christian Liaigre grew up fascinated by the pieces of ocean-weathered, sandblasted wood he found washed up on his local beach. Watch our short film for more of the Christian Liaigre story

Born near the Atlantic Ocean in western France, Christian Liaigre grew up fascinated by the pieces of sea-weathered, sandblasted wood he found washed up on his local beach. Nurturing a love of natural materials and handcraft, Liaigre studied at the Paris Academy of Fine and Decorative Arts and taught drawing at the Academy Charpentier, before establishing his eponymously named label in 1987.

Almost 30 years later, Liaigre’s Paris studio now employs 25 interior designers and architects, with its founder committed to both interior architecture and the design of private residences, yachts and hotels, as well as the manufacture of handcrafted furniture. The atelier produces elegant, atmospheric environments intended for comfort and contemplation, with each design representing Liaigre’s textural, contemporary aesthetic. 'A joie de vivre that does not shout,’ as the designer refers to it in our short film.  

With the galleries of Cork Street, the bespoke tailors of Savile Row and the fashion retailers of Bond Street as immediate neighbours, the new showroom at 52 Conduit Street, London W1, is Christian Liaigre’s second London space; the first is located on the Fulham Road in south-west London.

Occupying 3,200 square feet across two floors, the boutique showcases more than 80 carefully selected furniture designs and 30 lighting styles from Christian Liaigre’s classic collection. The brand’s signature designs sit alongside new standout pieces, and the balanced, minimal lines for which Liaigre is renowned, completes the aesthetic. Highlights include the semi-circular Boréal bench and Phocee gold-leafed side table, each uniquely designed and manufactured in France.

The Conduit Street property’s architecture and interior design reflects the fusion between Liaigre’s interiors projects and his bespoke furniture and lighting collections. The store will also feature a dedicated area on the lower-ground floor for the increasingly popular textiles line. 'It is my firm belief that the work of an interior decorator entails creating a reflection of the project’s environment and local culture,’ explains Liaigre. 'I am thrilled to have this opportunity to create a beautiful and harmonious space in one of London’s most prestigious areas, from which to continue working for my clients in the UK.’

Exterior view of Christian Liaigre’s Conduit Street showroom. The window display features a light coloured sofa, lamps, a side table and a large image of a woman against a yellow background

The architecture and design of Christian Liaigre’s new Conduit Street showroom reflects the fusion between the company’s interiors projects and its bespoke furniture and lighting collections

(Image credit: Paul Robida)

View of a space featuring white walls, wood flooring and various Christian Liaigre pieces of furniture including a black sofa with a bronze cushion, dark brown and gold armchairs and a black side table

Every piece of design represents Christian Liaigre’s textural aesthetic. ‘A joie de vivre that does not shout.’

(Image credit: Paul Robida)

View of the upper deck of superyacht Vertigo featuring grey seats with white cushions and round tables. There is also a view of the ocean

Christian Liaigre is world renown for its bespoke yacht interiors. The award winning Vertigo is 230ft of understated, ocean-going elegance

(Image credit: Paul Robida)

Interior view of a space in a London townhouse designed by Christian Liaigre featuring a large red table, red and black chairs and a fireplace with a painting above

The Liaigre design atelier combined ebony, bronze and scarlet lacquer to create this spectacular interior for a London townhouse

(Image credit: Paul Robida)

Two side-by-side photos of the '12 Projects' book. The first photo offers a front view of the book pictured against a light coloured background. And the second photo shows the book on a reflective brown desk in a space with wood covered walls, a lamp, a chair, a shelving unit and a framed image on the wall

Publishing house Flammarion recently published 12 Projects, a luxurious volume showcasing Christian Liaigre’s talent as an interior designer and furniture maker for homes in New York and Athens, St. Barts and St. Moritz

(Image credit: Paul Robida)

Two side-by-side photos of an interior designed by Christian Liaigre featuring white walls, tables, chairs, lamps and shelving with multiple items

Christian Liaigre has conceived homes for Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, François Nars, Rupert Murdoch, and Kenzo. He also designed the Mercer Hotel in New York and the Hakkasan restaurant in London

(Image credit: Paul Robida)

INFORMATION

Photography: Paul Robida

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).