Collectible Design: Ultra-Luxury Confidential Design
Ultra-luxury confidential design
In the hushed world of design, there exists a restricted circle of houses that work far from the spotlight, for a clientele of insiders. Here, no flashy advertising, no mass distribution. These brands operate almost in silence, privileging direct relationships, craftsmanship and rarity as the true language of luxury. A world opposite to the essential luxury decoration brands found in every showroom.
Ultra-luxury confidential design
These are the ones that collectors and connoisseurs choose when they want something other than “high-end mainstream”: unique pieces, secret collaborations, service that is both artisanal and completely bespoke. These creators sometimes appear in our HART glossary of design icons, but their most exclusive creations remain confidential.
12 ultra-luxury and confidential design houses
Here are twelve names that embody this absolute rarity, each with its own universe and specificity:
Ateliers Jean Royère
The heirs of the French design master (1902-1981) perpetuate his legacy through ultra-limited re-editions. Working exclusively on commission, they recreate iconic pieces like the “Bear” armchair or “Free Form” tables with the same materials and techniques as the original. Each piece is numbered and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Collaboration: exclusively with private collectors and select galleries such as Galerie Jacques Lacoste.
Maison Giobagnara
Founded by Antonella Giobagnara, this Milanese house revolutionizes the art of leather applied to furniture. Specialist in leather marquetry and extraordinary finishes, she collaborates with renowned interior architects to create bespoke pieces: sculpted screens, leather-clad chests of drawers, upholstered lighting. Unique expertise: “burnt leather” technique and precious metal inlay. Clientele: private residences of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and international palaces.
Galerie Gosserez
Created by Hélène and Olivier Gosserez, this Parisian gallery identifies and produces pieces by emerging artist-designers in microscopic editions (3 to 8 copies). Specialized in furniture-sculpture, they work with creators like Raphaël Navot, Pool or Atelier Biagetti. Approach: each piece is considered a work of art, with museum documentation and possibility of exhibition loans. Where to find them: private showroom on rue de Thorigny, by appointment only.
Galerie Yves Gastou
Visionary collector turned dealer, Yves Gastou has defended exceptional French and international design for 30 years. His gallery on rue Bonaparte presents rare pieces by Claude Lalanne, Maria Pergay, or Zaha Hadid, as well as special commissions from contemporary artists. Specialty: restored historical pieces and new creations in dialogue. Service: collection advice and heritage guidance across multiple generations.
Gérard Borde
Master bronze worker based in the Marais, Gérard Borde creates unique pieces combining patinated bronze and noble materials (marble, lacquer, precious woods). Trained in ancient techniques, he develops his own secret patinas. Creations: monumental lighting, art furniture, decorative objects. Process: each commission requires 6 to 18 months of realization, with several adjustment appointments. Clientele: castles, embassies, international collectors.
Studio Liaigre – Private editions
Beyond commercial collections, Christian Liaigre’s studio (now directed by Frauke Meyer) realizes ultra-special commissions for collectors. Furniture in rare essences, proportions adapted to exceptional architectures, unprecedented finishes. Particularity: each “private edition” piece will never be reproduced. Collaboration: close work with the world’s greatest interior architects like Peter Marino or Jacques Grange.
Galerie Carpenters Workshop
Founded by Loïc Le Gaillard and Julien Lombrail, this Franco-British gallery (London/New York/Paris) publishes collectible design pieces in series of maximum 8 copies. Exceptional roster: Nacho Carbonell, Maarten Baas, the Campana brothers, Sebastian Brajkovic. Museum approach: their pieces regularly join permanent collections of international museums. Events: private exhibitions in their spaces and participation in contemporary art fairs rather than design salons.
François Champsaur – private projects
The interior architect creates, alongside his architecture projects, unique furniture pieces for his most exclusive clients. Signature style: clean lines, sublimated raw materials, architectural proportions. Realizations: integrated furniture for private residences, one-shot pieces never reproduced. Process: design in direct dialogue with the place and its occupant, no catalog or distribution.
Maison Goossens (for Chanel)
Beyond their historic collaboration with Chanel for jewelry, the Goossens workshops apply their goldsmith expertise to art furniture. Specialties: gilded bronze, rock crystal, mother-of-pearl, exclusive patina techniques. Creations: tables, lighting, decorative objects in precious metals. Access: by recommendation only, artisanal production limited to a few pieces per year. Location: workshops on rue Bachaumont, private visits by invitation.
Pierre Yovanovitch workshops
The interior architect designs furniture in confidential editions to complement his most exclusive projects. Aesthetic: refined French modernity, references to the 50s-70s, noble materials in contemporary proportions. Production: selected French artisans, limited editions of 3-5 copies. Distribution: reserved for clients of his interior architecture projects and a few hand-picked collectors.
Martin Szekely
Major figure of contemporary French design, Martin Szekely creates furniture-works in ultra-restricted editions. Artistic approach: each piece questions function and pushes material to its technical limits. Preferred materials: carbon, machined metals, innovative composite materials. Status: his creations are acquired as much by private collectors as by museum institutions. Production: editions of 3 copies + maximum 2 artist’s proofs.
Rick Owens Furniture
The fashion designer extends his brutal-poetic universe to art furniture. Radical aesthetic: organic brutalism, massive sculptural forms, raw materials (concrete, bronze, fossilized wood). Edition: artisanal production in Italy, series of maximum 8 copies per model. Clientele: collectors of radical contemporary design, contemporary art enthusiasts, personalities from the fashion and art world. Distribution: exclusively through his personal gallery and a few ultra-selective partners.
Focus: collectible design
These houses belong to a movement called collectible design: pieces created in very limited series, often signed, sometimes unique, that sit at the border between contemporary art and functional design. They attract collectors who see in these works not only aesthetic value, but also heritage to transmit. To deepen this universe, consult our specialized resources that detail the codes of this confidential market.
To remember: true luxury is not outbidding but mastered rarity, combined with extreme know-how.
How to acquire these pieces?
Entering this universe often requires an introduction, a network or a recommendation. Galleries and workshops operate by private appointment, sometimes by invitation only. Prices generally start at €50,000 for a piece of furniture and can exceed several hundred thousand euros when it comes to museum works. The iconic Bear armchairs by Jean Royère can thus exceed €200,000 per pair, while a unique creation by Martin Szekely can reach €300,000.
The purchase experience often includes: personalized follow-up, work documentation, and the possibility of direct exchanges with the artist or workshop. Some houses also offer lifetime maintenance service and guaranteed buyback in case of resale.
Conclusion
Choosing collectible design means preferring the density of a work to the repetition of a style. It means assuming rarity, slowness and precision as so many proofs of excellence. Behind each piece, there is a gesture, a material, a story — and the commitment of workshops capable of keeping the promise of time.
An exceptional piece does not impose, it magnetizes. It creates a visual axis, a breathing space, and becomes an intimate landmark as much as heritage.
Why this choice makes sense
- Cultural and heritage value: documented, traceable, transmissible works.
- Sensible quality: noble materials, hand finishes, unique presence in interior architecture.
- Sustainability: workshop maintenance and follow-up, repairability, material stability.
- Singularity: micro-editions, artist variants, special commissions.
To go further
- HART Resources – Guides and references for exceptional design
- HART glossary of design icons
- Essential luxury decoration brands
Ultimate luxury is not accumulating, but choosing — little, well, and for a long time.
Digital entrepreneur and craft artisan.
My work bridges craftsmanship, design history and contemporary creation, shaping a personal vision of luxury interior design.
Since 2012, I have been based in my workshop on the shores of Lake Annecy, creating bespoke interiors for architects, decorators and private clients.
