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Paul Dupré-Lafon was born on June 17, 1900, in Marseille. In 1923, he obtained a dual degree in architecture and decoration from the “École des Beaux-Arts” and moved to Paris, where he reconnected with some acquaintances, including Georges Willameur, a painter with whom he had exhibited his paintings in Marseille. Willameur introduced him to the Parisian bourgeoisie. Thus, Dupré-Lafon created his first furniture and interior decoration projects.
In 1927, he caught the attention of a wealthy young man who allowed him to make his debut by entrusting him with the decoration of a 150 m² apartment. Two years later, the same client entrusted him with the decoration of his mansion overlooking Parc Monceau; it was one of the most significant private decoration projects of the time. The result was stunning: Dupré-Lafon created a luxurious, fundamentally modern, and rational interior. The furniture was sparse and refined, technical details were not hidden but clearly displayed and treated with noble materials. This achievement was deemed a masterpiece by critics for its vast spaces following continuous perspectives, giving an effect of suspension and an impression of timelessness.
Following this project, his career took off instantly, and he achieved great success. Paul Dupré-Lafon was an innovator apart from trends and fashions; his work was extremely minimalist and oriented towards the naturalness of materials and forms.
Quite discreet and not very sociable, he did not participate in salons or exhibitions; a large part of his furniture were unique pieces. Very independent and autonomous, he did not want to open a workshop or a store and worked from home with a master cabinetmaker collaborator and a few interns from the “École des Beaux-Arts”. He personally made all the drawings and watercolors of the creations he presented to his clients to ensure full control over their realization.
Dupré-Lafon's style combined modernist rigor and the decorative essence of the Art Deco style with functionality down to the smallest detail. For his creations, he particularly favored exotic woods or oak, which he readily combined with parchment or saddle-stitched leather. For the treatment and covering of leathers, he called upon the house of Hermès, which had the privilege of producing his only series-made pieces.
Hélène Henry, a textile designer with whom Dupré-Lafon frequently collaborated for his ensembles, introduced him to the great creators of his time, such as Alberto Giacometti, with whom he worked on the creation of a pair of wall sconces.
After more than forty years of activity and numerous successful decoration projects, he passed away in Deauville in 1971.
