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As the world pays tribute to the icon of French cinema, Alain Delon, we take a look back at his lesser-known venture into furniture design.
ADVERTISEMENTWith his handsome looks, tender manner, and unforgettable roles in such films asThe Leopard and Le Samourai,Alain Delon was one of France’s most memorable leading men. But did you know that beyond the silver screen, Delon brought his signature brand of je ne sais quoi to the world of furniture design – most significantly a collection he conceived in the 1970s for the rarefied French design house, Maison Jansen. “If I weren’t involved in films, I wish I were an architect,” Delon once mused. The late star’s creations spanned a wide range of styles, from cabinets and consoles to side tables, armchairs and elegant backgammon tables. For fans of the cinema icon – who recently passed away on 18 August – this might be the perfect time to acquire a piece of his legacy, as many of his designs are available online, at 1st Dibs.But sadly, you’ll need a small fortune… At around 35-years-old, riding high from the success of his film Borsalino, directed by Jacques Deray, Delon was invited by Maison Jansen to create a collection of furniture. Founded in 1880 by Dutch-born Jean-Henri Jansen, the Paris-based studio was famous for its opulent designs, serving prestigious clients, including the royal families of Belgium, Iran and Serbia.Delon’s collection for Maison Jansen embraced the luxurious Art Deco style, featuring elements like brass profiles, curved silhouettes, scalloped edges, lacquered surfaces, and smoked glass. In addition to his work with Maison Jansen, Delon also collaborated with Italian furniture maker Vittorino Sabot to present a collection at the 1975 Salone del Mobile in Milan – where the actor reportedly took his place on the company’s stand: “like any average small-medium entrepreneur”. Dubbed as “the Alain Delon style,” his designs were a unique mix of materials – silk, wild boar leather, brass, copper, and steel -paired with light briar wood.But not everyone was charmed by the Tony Montana-esque style of his designs, with some critics feeling the collection resembled a film set rather than a genuine living space. “Silk and boar leather, black and white, polished brass, copper and steel on light briarwood. The impression is that of being in the wrong place; instead of a house we’re on a movie set, a make-believe luxurious and unscrupulous environment” wrote La Stampa at the time. Today, Delon’s designs are still available to buy, though they come with a hefty price tag – a Black Laminate and Brass Coffee Table can be yours for £14,419 (€17,024), or perhaps a set of six Maison Jansen dining chairs for £11,910 (€14,062) .So if you’ve always dreamed of sipping coffee on a table designed by a French film legend, head to 1stDibs.
