Never before seen drawings from the iconic French furniture designer and a pioneer of material experimentation

Born in 1930, Maria Pergay is one of the most innovative and influential French furniture designers of her time, recognized internationally as an iconic tastemaker. A pioneer of material experimentation, she almost single-handedly transformed stainless steel from an industrial material into an elegant component of modern design. Maria Pergay: Sketch Book features never before seen drawings realized over the last decade. Fundamental elements of her design process, Pergay’s charming and detailed drawings provide insight into her creative vision. Each one conjures the wondrous world of diverse references from which she draws. Over the last 60 years, Pergay has designed for fashion houses including Christian Dior and Jacques Heim, undertaken commissions for fashion designer Pierre Cardin, and designed the lobby for The World Trade Center in Brussels. Her works can be found in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and displayed in the homes of leading collectors around the world.