Pierre Frey, an eclectic French House
Maison Pierre Frey is inventive and deeply eclectic. Drawing inspiration from the past as well as from around the world, creating daring, contemporary collections whose materials, motifs and colors take one back into history and off on a unique voyage.
Timeline
A family-run House for three generations, it was founded in Paris in 1935 and named after its creator, Pierre Frey, specialized in upholstery fabrics. In 1937, the company moved to 47 rue des Petits-Champs, where Patrick Frey took over as artistic director in 1969. Today he runs the company with his three sons, Pierre, Vincent and Matthieu, to whom he has transmitted his passion and his quest for excellence.
History
1934
CREATION BY PIERRE FREY
Thanks to his experience with different upholstery fabric manufacturers, Pierre Frey, working with designer Jean Chatanay, decided to set up his own company specialized in fabrics. Pierre Frey became a creator, vendor, manager and delivery man.
1950
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
After the war, Pierre Frey was fixated on one idea - working with the United States. His efforts were rewarded in the 1950s alongside excellent growth in Europe. Pierre Frey made his name as one of the leading French players in upholstery fabrics.
1969
A NEW VISION
In a more tumultous economic context, Patrick Frey joined the House at his father's request. His innate feeling for the product and his global vision enabled him to open new avenues of development: audacious and high-quality creations, a comprehensive decoration concept, marketing expertise and the opening the company's own showrooms.
1976
PIERRE FREY, A HOUSE
Pierre Frey joined the Comité Colbert to work toward promoting French know-how and luxury abroad. The Comité Colbert assembles French Houses that share the same values: excellence, quality, know-how and creativity.
1980
THE GROWTH OF ACCESSORIES
In the 80s, Patrick Frey designed and launched an entire line of accessories coordinated to go with the House's fabrics. He further developed the concept in the 90s by signing licensing agreements with Flipo, Grange, Delorme and Deshoulières.
1989
PIERRE FREY, MANUFACTURER
Pierre Frey acquired the Denimal weaving mill in northern France, with which they had been working since the 1950s. Particularly recognized for its expertise in weaving wools and high-performance outdoor textiles, it is now certified by the "EPV" government label that highlights its traditional know-how and capacity for innovation.
1991
BRAQUENIÉ, THE SON'S GIFT TO HIS FATHER
Patrick Frey had always known of his father's deep admiration of Braquenié fabrics, so when he learned that it was threatened with closure he positioned himself to take over the historic House. This was the Maison Pierre Frey's first step in the protection of France's textile heritage.
2000
PATRICK FREY, A COMMITTED ESTHETE
The 2000s brought the acquisition of several iconic French and Italian Houses - Boussac and Fadini-Borghi in 2004, and Le Manach in 2013. Patrick Frey thus preserved fabulous textile collections and breathed new life into the Houses both artistically and through the transmission of their know-how.
