Alexander Girard

Alexander Girard (1907-1993) was one of the most prominent figures of post-war American design, specializing in particular in the Textile Design sector. Colorful and joyful, his whimsical fabrics feature a great variety of motifs, with a marked preference for abstract designs and geometric patterns, often seasoned with a touch of irony. Born in New York to a father of Franco-Italian origins, he grows up in Florence and studies architecture between London and Rome. After briefly collaborating with Knoll for the design of some furnishings, in 1952 is hired by Herman Miller to manage the textile division of the brand, at the suggestion of the couple Charles & Ray Eames who work for the brand for years but experience great difficulties in finding upholstery fabrics suitable for their creations. He works for Herman Miller for two decades designing over 300 fabrics, as well as furniture, wallpapers and objects. A great lover of popular art, often among the sources of inspiration for his works, over the years he puts together one of the most relevant collections of this genre in the world. Many of his creations are now produced by Vitra, and it is at the Vitra Deisgn Museum that after his death his heirs donate his large archive of drawings and prototypes.