Jean Royère’s Heir Embarks on New Chapter With Fresh Designs, Paris Apartment Opening
MILAN — When Jean Royère began his work as a decorator in France in the early half of the 20th century, he made mostly bespoke pieces that weren’t ever sold on the broader market. With more than 1,000 projects completed over the course of his career, Royère’s heir and chairman of Jean Royère SAS, 52-year-old Vladimir Markovic has made it his life’s work to protect and promote the significance of each and every piece.
“It’s important for me that the heritage continues in the most honest way,” he told WWD.
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During Paris Déco Off, which ran Jan. 15 to 18, Royère, the renowned heritage furniture house founded by the designer’s estate, opened up the firm’s Paris apartment. Situated on a quiet edge of the Seine at 8 Rue des Eaux, Royère’s vintage pieces and new ones were displayed. The space sits just around the corner from where the late designer once lived on Rue de Passy.
With the firm’s new artistic director Jonathan Wray, Royère presented new pieces like the Liane wall lamp, which was directly inspired by a motif Royère used in his lifetime. Elsewhere, designs like the Form Libre coffee table and the Ondulation Boule Bench covered in animalier print took direct cues from the late designer’s designs.
Almost more than a century after its start, Royère’s fame continues to grow posthumously. One of his Ours Polaire (Polar Bear) sofas and a set of armchairs sold for $3.4 million in 2023, according to Christie’s.
In November, Markovic won a legal battle that he thinks sets a precedent for other heirs of heritage families. At the time, a Los Angeles court ruled in favor of the Estate of Jean Royère and Jean Royère SAS upholding their claims of trademark, copyright infringement and unfair competition after filing a lawsuit against designer Denis de la Mésière and his atelier, Edition Modern, in 2022, alleging replicas of 50 original Royère designs had been manufactured and sold. Shortly after the legal victory, Edition Modern and Denis de la Mésière agreed to make a confidential monetary offer and permanently cease all sales of Jean Royère-inspired designs, cease all use of Jean Royère and the Royère trademark, and destroy any unauthorized copies and related materials, the firm said in a statement.
Markovic is the grand nephew of Royère’s life partner, who succeeded him after Royère died in a French-style villa in Pennsylvania in 1981.
The legal battle shined a light on the struggle for other furniture firms to protect their designs. In October 2024, Italian luxury furniture brands Poltrona Frau and Savio Firmino became the first furniture firms to join the Aura Blockchain Consortium community of luxury brands. The Switzerland-based group said the furniture-makers joined as associate members, as they, like many other luxury players, seek to enhance authenticity, traceability, incorporate certifications and meet requirements laid out by new EU environmental regulations specific to the sector.
From automotive to fashion, the consortium now encompasses more than 50 members, up from the founding five in 2022 that included LVMH Mo?t Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Diesel parent company OTB Group, Prada Group, Richemont’s Cartier and Mercedes-Benz.
Often regarded as a pillar of European design along with Le Corbusier and Gio Ponti, Royère was born in 1902. Many of his works were coveted particularly by the royal circles and elite of the Middle East. He designed the captain’s quarters of the ocean liner SS France in 1961. Though he had showrooms from S?o Paulo to Tehran, Iran, production of his designs was halted when he ceased working as a decorator.
For Markovic, the opening of the Paris apartment was a big step. “We’ve spent the last few months reevaluating things. We’ve redone our logo, and we opened a really beautiful gallery space in SoHo in October,” he reflected.
The Royère Gallery in New York City’s West SoHo area at 315 Spring Street affords enthusiasts access to authentic, authorized pieces, which continue to be made by artisans in Lyon, France.
Through both locations, the team is able to promote Jean Royère’s legacy and foster new expressions of his vision. Royère plans to unveil fresh collections each season, ensuring the gallery remains dynamic and ever-evolving.
The firm said the fall 2025 showcase will introduce an outdoor furniture line, while winter 2025 will see a curated blend of Royère classics with some lesser-known designs, made by French craftsmen, come to life.
“As long as I am alive, Jean Royère’s designs will always be made in France,” Markovic said.
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