DESIGNER DIARY : JOSEPH DIRAND

Dirand's bedroom exemplifies the cornerstone values of his style ideals 

Hotel Habita, Monterrey 

All the designers that I've covered for P.F.F are truly artists and masters of what they do. But for me, Joseph Dirand has something that really takes me by the heart and soul. Like all matters to do with design and art, the feeling you get from looking at their work is almost impossible to describe. It's ineffable, beyond words. I guess that's how I would describe Dirand, his work is simply ineffable.

"What really matters to me, a lot more than the interior, is light. Light is what makes architecture alive. Wherever I go, especially my studio, my apartment, and the places I live, I have to see the sky" source    

Dirand's career reads like a textbook. Simple, one way and undeterred by most of the hurdles which cross regular folks like us. Born in Paris to an architect father and fashion designer mother, his first commission came before he even graduated from design school. After the redesign of the Balmain store located on Rue-Francois-1er, often dubbed 'the most beautiful fashion store in Paris', he established himself as being one of the most sought after and talked about designers in Europe and abroad. 

Monsieur Bleu, Paris 

Pucci Store, New York City 

Ranelagh, Paris

When asked to describe what his style is during an interview with Design elements blog, he cites that he keeps trying to find his own style but cannot and hopes that he never will. It seems hard to understand this answer when looking at his work as evidently, there are themes and colours which string all of it together. But maybe what's more important is that there's still mystery and elusiveness in the entire process. It's when we know too much and become formulaic that alarm bells should ring.

"Already as a child I got inspired by a lot of things like the Garden of Versailles, Japanese architecture or sculpture by Joseph Beuys. All of these things provoke so much emotion, that they become addictive, like a drug" source 

Dirand's work has been a favourite amongst fashion houses including Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, Chloe and Givenchy and it's a no brainer why. Stylish, effortless and chic for days, it's the perfect setting for a once in a lifetime purchase in a once in a lifetime designed interior. There is absolutely a sense of movement in his design and artist countability. Never ending learning and discovery is a part of his mission in achieving ever higher feats in his artistic endeavours. “I always want to get inspired by different things and I realise there is no end to learning”.

Dirand's own home in Paris 

Details from his own kitchen

Loulou restaurant, Paris 

Chloe store, Saint Honore 

Dirand does away with the demand of having a stock definition for his style. What really drives his work is an instinct, an impulse which ultimately triggers the motions of creativity leading the finished product to look organic and effortless - as if there were almost no designer behind it at all. A collection which formed itself out of a natural order. 

"I don't care about style anymore, in a way I hate style, I hate design... it's about life, and generosity" source 

I've always had a belief about what we do in life. If we love it enough, if doing it isn't a chore and we're all about it, it starts to take us to other places. No single discipline or focus in life is simply of itself. Everything that we choose to learn and do takes us to other places we had no idea was possible. For Dirand, this is clearly the case as well. It's not about design or style for him, it's simply a way of organising, responding and living. Here's to all of our callings which take us above and beyond. 

Avenue Montaigne apartment, shot by Martin Morrell for NYT

La Flandrin, Paris 

Varenne, Paris 

Le Mas des Oliviers, Ramatuelle

"Les Idees Claires" 

I Mahal Bath, Paris