ALEXANDER (THE GREAT) Alexander Girard 's work from the 50's, 60's and 70's has had such a huge influence on so many current designer's work, including mine. His colorful, cluttered, and bold approach to "aesthetic functionalism", with the belief that delighting the senses was just as important of a design function as any other practical concern. 











Born in 1907 in New York City, Alexander Girard was one of the decisive figures of post-war American design alongside his close friends George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames. The focus of his broad work spectrum was on textile design: As head of the Herman Miller Company’s textile division, Girard designed a multitude of textiles that reflect his love of festive colours and patterns. He favored abstract and geometric forms, typically put together in bright constellations of colors. His upholstery fabrics remain as timely and vital as ever with many of them still being sold today. In fact, House Industries recently released and entire product collection of Alexander Girard re-makes: fonts, puzzles, dolls and more.  











Having originally studied architecture, Girard made a name for himself over his long career in the fields of furniture, exhibition and interior design as well as in the graphic arts. On his extended travels, he avidly collected textiles from all over the world, which furnished him with a source of inspiration and ideas. In 1993, the final year of his life, he bestowed these holdings to the Vitra Design Museum Collection along with the contents of his studio (hundreds of drawings, prototypes and textile samples).







A 1963 memo titled" Some Notes on the folk art in the Herman Miller Collection". In reference to Girard's work, "The objects were not designed for deep contemplation but rather as simple expressions of delight, amusement or reverence. They were created by the spirit of the craftsman. Invented and fashioned by an individual for the enjoyment of others".