the designer

Born to a French father and a Swiss-German mother, Pierre Paulin (1927-2009), was deeply influenced by his family. His uncle Georges Paulin, known for inventing the Eclipse folding roof system, inspired him with his creativity in business. Another relative, sculptor Freddy Stoll, instilled in Paulin the belief that objects should be beautiful from every angle.

Initially aspiring to be a sculptor, Paulin’s plans changed after a tendon injury in his right arm. He then pursued design, studying ceramics and stone-carving in France. Encouraged by a teacher, he joined furniture designer Marcel Gascoin’s workshop, where he honed his skills. Inspired by designers like Ray and Charles Eames, as well as George Nelson, Paulin considered himself a functionalist with a touch of poetry in his work.