From iconic palaces to country homes, Pierre Frey's vibrant, colorful spirit ensures a timeless style that honors the French tradition.
The fast-paced world, where success is measured by profit and everyone seems willing to trade their true essence for a few million dollars, is not the world Maison Pierre Frey has chosen to be part of.Since 1935, the family-owned company has captivated audiences with its artistry, offering moments of true poetry through curtains, rugs, wallpaper and anything that can be beautifully covered in a wide variety of fabrics. Its countless and remarkable collections bring to life inspirations from a past that lives within the palaces of the Western imagination, inhabited by kings, queens, subjects and rebels. They also give shape to dreams of a flourishing future, where art and the time to appreciate it have their rightful place.
Patrick, the founder’s son, reinforces the philosophy that has guided the company for three generations. His successful journey began in childhood, when the brand’s current CEO developed a passion for interior design while traveling with his mother.
Later, he found fertile ground in his father’s business to plant his own ideas, which today extend far beyond fabrics, bringing color to walls through original wallpaper designs and to floors through an extensive variety of rugs.
Thirty years after Pierre’s passing, the company has grown and evolved, incorporating Braquenié, Boussac, Fadini Borghi and Le Manach. “Negotiating the acquisition of Braquenié, one of the world’s leading names in tapestries and upholstery fabrics, meant fulfilling an important dream of my father’s,” Patrick says when asked about his most memorable experiences. Scapino, the first collection he designed, featuring velvet stripes, will also remain forever etched in the CEO’s memory.
Since then, with a distinctive sensitivity, he has guided the brand on a journey that draws inspiration from the past to reinvent the future.
“Here, tradition and innovation go hand in hand. That’s why we’ve invested in an archival department, where we find everything from historic collections to projects that have literally helped restore French history, breathing new life into the fabrics of the palaces of Versailles and Fontainebleau.”
Without a doubt, this rich source of inspiration provides fertile ground for innovation, meeting the demands of clients who expect originality and boldness. “The demand for unique, customized creations is growing,” notes the CEO, who enjoys discussing Pierre Frey’s future.“I hope it remains a family business!” he reveals. An expectation that already seems to be a reality, with his three sons taking leadership roles within the company.
Beyond remaining family-owned, he considers it essential to preserve the brand’s essence and keep its creative spirit alive. “We want to be different and represent French style in textile art in a unique way. My motto is the same as that of the classic comic book character Tintin: we need to appeal to people from ages 7 to 77,” he states firmly.
Patrick is also an enthusiastic supporter of collaborations. “Christian Astuguevieille, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Atelier Buffile and Noémie de Yturbe are some of the collaborations we’ve done, but every one of them has been important,” he concludes, proud of the direction he has given the Pierre Frey Group, which continues to transform palaces, apartments and country homes.