Elephant Armchair

Founded in Paris in 1978 by Andrée Putman, Ecart International was among the first companies dedicated to rediscovering and reissuing the work of overlooked pioneers of early twentieth-century modern design. Through meticulous research and a distinctive curatorial vision, the brand brought iconic creations by designers such as Pierre Chareau, Jean-Michel Frank, Eileen Gray, and Robert Mallet-Stevens back into production, playing a key role in their international revival. Alongside its historic reissues, Ecart International developed collaborations with contemporary designers and its own creative studio, establishing a lasting reputation for timeless modernity, refined craftsmanship, and understated elegance.

Jean-Michel Frank (1895–1941) was one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century French design. Working between Paris, New York, and South America, he redefined luxury through a refined and minimalist aesthetic. Rejecting the opulence of Art Deco, he favoured pure forms and rich natural materials such as parchment, straw marquetry, shagreen, oak, and leather. Collaborating with artists including Alberto and Diego Giacometti, he created interiors and furniture of exceptional elegance for an international elite clientele. His timeless vision continues to influence contemporary design and remains a benchmark for understated luxury.