Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's universe
Published on 9 December 2022
There is, of course, his pop, punk and joyfully riotous clothing range, his erudite and underground references, his ode to primary colours – largely predating Google –, and his sensitive artwork that bears a striking stylistic resemblance to that of Cocteau. Exuding an iconoclastic sense of class, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac demonstrates true acrobatic agility in his collaborations with brands, attentively giving their underlying codes a resolutely humoristic spin and injecting them with his own unique creative vibe.
“I see my multifarious work as an archipelago. Each project is an island with its own personality, linked to all the others by the ocean that is my style. I love delving deep into the DNA of all the French brands I work with.” Jean-Charles de Castelbajac
At the January edition of the Maison&Objet trade fair, he is set to present an exclusive, colour-packed retrospective installation that will shine a light on some of the much-loved brands with which he has collaborated to date. Visitors will be invited to explore his work for Maison Dada, Leblon Delienne and Thomas Dariel, just three of the brands on which JCDC has already worked his creative magic. It’s a vitamin-packed line-up that’s guaranteed to help get you through the winter... feeling inspired!
How would you describe your relationship with design?
It’s a natural relationship, as I come from a family of architects on my mother’s side, and it’s also a passionate one, as function is a top priority in everything I design. Plus, I’ve been lucky enough to have a working relationship with 3 design icons: Raymond Loewy, Roger Tallon and Ettore Sottsass.
And your relationship with Maison&Objet?
I have a long-established and loyal relationship with Maison&Objet. I have been present at the trade fair throughout my career through my designs, porcelain, lighting and furniture for Ligne Roset. Then back in 2015, I was given free reign to put together my own installation that saw me explore the concept of mimicry within lifestyle design: furnishings and wall coverings were all emblazoned with the same motifs, including hessians, army prints, stripes and animal prints. Back then it was highly visionary, but it has since become a major trend.
You designed the MOM tote bag for the September edition of the trade fair. Where does your passion for drawing come from?
It is something that starts within my hand itself. My hand is the breeding ground for my ideas, where the creative gesture germinates, before it spreads its wings and flies. When I was a little boy, sitting in the back of the car, I used to reach my hand up to the sky, to surf through time and space. The hand is the one thing that links artists, artisans, design lovers and, indeed, anyone with a passion for beauty.