Saturday, 01 April 2017 00:00

Inex talks to Founders of The Invisible Collection, Anna Zaoui and Isabelle Dubern

    After showcasing Pierre Yovanovitch’s Bear Chair collection in last month’s issue, Inex talks to Founders of The Invisible Collection, Anna Zaoui and Isabelle Dubern, about how they built their widely available platform for all within the interior industry – it all started with the Bear Chair.

    The Invisible Collection highlights the work of 21st century talents who perpetuate the standards set by the likes of Jean-Michel Frank and Pierre Chareau in the golden period of the decorative arts.

    French interior designers, architects and craftsmen have long since been recognised worldwide for setting the standard of craftsmanship and savoir-faire, and The Invisible Collection is not only the first to gain access to their precious inventory of creations, but the first to make it available to a wider public audience.

    This availability of the highest quality craftsmanship and talent is thanks to both Anna and Isabelle. “My love for interior decoration has grown with me,” comments Anna. “Opportunities like visiting ‘les puces’ in Paris with my mother and the ‘medina’ in Marrakech inspired me to decorate my own bedroom then later, on a larger scale, my own apartments.

    “It was much later, during a conversion with my friend, and Co-Founder, Isabelle Dubern that I realised I was passionate about decoration; we then discovered our common taste for beautiful furniture and interior decoration.”

    With this evident passion for design, Anna and Isabelle came together to create The Invisible Collection. “It all started with the Papa Bear Armchair that Isabelle was dreaming of,” explains Anna, “but it wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t working on a project with Pierre Yovanovitch.”

    Isabelle adds: “We realised that it should be possible to offer such pieces to those who wanted them and that we could do it online. Following on this ‘eureka’ intuition, we had to build a business model to convince the interior designers to come on board and build the technological platform.

    “The Invisible Collection is a start-up that we are building every day around our shared love of beautiful things and our common admiration for interior designers and their creations. The technological, commercial and human challenges we face every day are very stimulating.”

    Anna continues: “After many conversations to address all possible questions – consulting interior designers, research on the market and putting ourselves in front of the potential client – the idea was born, website built and since then we have kept developing the collection.”

    Coming from a fashion background, Isabelle is passionate about the strong links between the fashion and interior industry. “I have been obsessed with design since childhood,” she comments. “I wanted to be an architect, then an auctioneer or a filmset designer. There are plenty of movies that I see again and again just for their sets.”

    A hallmark of The Invisible Collection is that every piece purchased is made to order. “The work of contemporary interior designers, made to order by the most expert hands and with the most knowledgeable craftsmanship, encapsulates luxury furniture designed by the icons of architecture and interior design.

    “In a world where everything has become ubiquitous, having a bespoke piece of furniture, textile or a rug made for a home is the definition of luxury. Unique and exceptional pieces of collectable furniture rival the contemporary art market today.”

    Made for those who appreciate the French way of life, and who seek things of the utmost quality, The Invisible Collection is for professionals and collectors as well as those who are simply passionate about interior design. It is a catalogue that brings together the finest and most exclusive designs.

    Around 30 of France’s most illustrious interior designers and architects are taking part in this ambitious project including: Pierre Yovanovitch, Daniel & Michel Bismut, India Mahdavi, Thierry Lemaire, Fabrice Ausset, Damien Langlois-Meurinne, Caroline Sarkozy & Laurent Bourgois, Gilles & Boissier, Jérôme Faillant-Dumas, Elliott Barnes, Isabelle Stanislas, François Champsaur, Jean-Louis Deniot, Michel Jouannet, Olivier Gagnere, Tristan Auer and Karen Chekerdjian.

    About Us

    Inex magazine and its complementary website is the ultimate specification resource for design professionals working in both the domestic and commercial marketplaces.

    Exclusive, cutting-edge content is delivered to inform and inspire esteemed professionals on a whole host of topics and discussions impacting the industry.

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