Christopher Guy

Profile

Christopher Guy Harrison, an award-winning internationally renowned designer, is the founder and CEO of luxury furnishings brand, Christopher Guy. Born in Britain, raised in Spain and France, now residing between London, Singapore and the US, Christopher’s international background helps him view the world through a critically constructive eye that draws in inspiration from everything he admires and transcends this into his designs. From an early age when holidaying along the shoreline in Cannes, Christopher became fascinated with elegance, which according to him is “an effortless form that is beyond beauty”. It was at the young age of 16, when working alongside his Spanish stepfather that he embarked on his first building project – their very own family home in the South of France, which ignited the sparks of passion for design.

When he decided to create the world’s finest designer furnishings, Christopher started with a clear objective – to make uniquely beautiful decorative furnishings that appeal to an international audience. Based on this design philosophy, Christopher Guy furnishings fuse a timeless beauty; elegance evocative of a cosmopolitan lifestyle, appealing to a discerning audience across the globe.

Evolution

Christopher’s first creations were brought to life in the mid-90s when he set out to create the world’s most fabulous and unique mirror frame collection under the name of Harrison & Gil. To produce this repertoire of beautiful pieces Christopher acquired a significant plot of land in Central Java, Indonesia and began designing and building his workshops, which opened in 1999.

Following the phenomenal success of the mirror frame business, the core philosophy of creating beautiful, original mirror designs was carried through to a growing range of luxury furnishings and decorative accessories. In 2007, the group, which comprised of both the original mirror frame line and new furnishings range, was renamed Christopher Guy to offer a complete lifestyle and luxury furniture collection.

Today

The Christopher Guy workshops in Central Java today cover more than one million square feet (10 Hectares) fitting harmoniously amidst the lush Javanese landscape. Those who first set eyes on the site believe it to be a vast, centuries old, Moorish castle, in truth this extraordinary structure was designed by Christopher to reflect the sense of mystique and drama prevalent in his collections. More astonishingly, behind these weathered facades lays a leading-edge facility, the workplace to two-thousand of the world’s finest craftsmen, housed in an exceptional environment.

The Christopher Guy Showrooms are carefully created to allow designers to view ‘The World’s Most Fabulous LifestylesTM’ in their full splendor. A new 9,000 sq.ft Christopher Guy showroom opened its doors in January 2013 at the Las Vegas Design Center and in September 2013, Christopher Guy opened a 20,000 sq. ft. showroom in the iconic and historic New York Design Center. Current projects include the total refurbishment of The Georgian Restaurant in Harrods, London’s most famous eatery on the top floor of the worlds most celebrated store. The 100 year old restaurant will use furnishings exclusively from the Mademoiselle collection and will re-open in late July.

Design Philosophy – A Contemporary Mood with Classic Values

Well-known for fusing classicism with modernism in his designs, the Christopher Guy «Look» can be described as a “contemporary mood with classic values”. Above all else, Christopher Guy’s unique work is characterised by elegance, which forms the DNA of each design and central to the philosophy of the brand.

Regardless of whether the design piece leans towards modern or classic, above all else, it must be elegant in nature” Christopher said.

Christopher Guy’s signature design includes the patented Chris-X (pronounced criss-cross) leg design. This trademark feature is seen throughout his collections, inspired by the waist-line of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, and the pose of a ballerina. Other signature elements include the ‘Silk-Slice’ that can be seen in certain Christopher Guy chairs, dining tables and cabinets; There are so many unique design elements within the collections, ensuring that one can never mistake the CG look for anything else.

A singular vision and uncompromising sense of style, along with an ongoing pursuit for elegance in every piece he designs has driven Christopher to continually redefine the aesthetics of design. The result is a place at the forefront of the world’s luxury furnishings market.

Global Presence – Transcending Boundaries

With presence in 42 cities that include showrooms throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Christopher Guy offers a fresh approach to design, transcending modern, traditional and cultural boundaries. Christopher Guy creations are selected by leading designers and retailers, from the grandest hotels and spectacular resorts, to the world’s finest residences. Its stylish appeal and often elaborate aesthetics has led to cameo roles in many iconic movie productions.

Whether as statement pieces in grand hotels or Hollywood film sets, Christopher Guy’s timeless and elegant designs are widely acclaimed as the world’s most fabulous decorative furnishings.

Hotels

Christopher Guy pieces adorn many hotels and luxury resorts across the world, including; Wynn Encore, The Bellagio, The Venetian, Caesars Palace – Las Vegas, Hilton International, Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons, Edwardian Group, San Clemente Palace – Venice, Sandy Lane Barbados, The Lanesborough – London, Grosvenor House Hotel – London, The London Savoy, The Dorchester, Ritz- Carlton Tokyo, Marriott Worldwide, Phoenix Resort China and the Wynn Macao to name but a few.

Hollywood Productions

Christopher Guy pieces have featured in a host Hollywood Productions including: Stardust, Sleuth, The Thomas Crown Affair, Room 1408, Casino Royale (007), Tomorrow Never Dies (007), Ocean’s 13, The Devil Wears Prada, The Mummy, Charlie’s Angels 2, The Hangover, Shanghai Knights.

Key Milestones

1993 : Christopher Guy founded Harrison & Gil.
1994 : Christopher Guy sold his first mirror frame at Harrods, London.
1998 : Relocated to Indonesia and began construction of his vast workshops.
2004 : Received the Outstanding Design award by British Interior Design Association.
2005 : Christopher Guy formed its headquarters and corporate office in Singapore.
2007 : Its brands, Harrison & Gil (UK) and Dauphine Mirror Company (USA) are renamed Christopher Guy.
2010 : Certificate of Excellence awarded by HA+D for the loose furniture category 2011 : Awarded the 2011 Design Icon by the World Market Center and Las Vegas Design Center.
2011 : Christopher Guy launched its 3,000 sq ft showroom space at Harrods in June.
2012 : Christopher Guy celebrates opening of new flagship showroom in West Hollywood.
2013 : Christopher Guy opens a new 9,000 sq ft showroom at the Las Vegas Design Center.
2013 : A state-of-the-art 20,000 sq ft Christopher Guy showroom opens in New York City.
2014 : Introduction of the New Mademoiselle catalogue 2014 : A new landmark London showroom set to open in Summer

Kelly Wearstler

Kelly Wearstler’s eponymous global luxury lifestyle brand is renowned for its distinctive designs and sophisticated soulful vibe pioneered by the celebrated interior designer. The brand’s breadth of influence spans from residential and commercial interior design to collections of furniture, lighting, rugs, fabrics, wall coverings, tiles, luxe bedding, fine china, decorative home accessories, jewelry and objets d’art. With a signature style that juxtaposes raw with refined, melds color, sophistication and spirited spontaneity, and seamlessly blends diverse periods of furniture under one roof, Wearstler has revolutionized the look, feel and meaning of modern American design.

Wearstler’s designs attract and inspire an enviable roster of A-list clientele from the film and music industries, as well as top celebrities, and tastemakers worldwide. Her trademark sumptuous and vibrant interiors imbue luxury hotels and grand residences from Beverly Hills to the Caribbean and around the globe. Among Wearstler’s expansive and diverse lifestyle portfolio are collaborations with some of the most respected global brands across the luxury market space. Wearstler’s lifestyle brand boasts its own bespoke furniture collection as well as a favored and long-standing presence on vintage and antique online retailer 1stdibs.

Showcasing the definitive world of Kelly is the brand’s flagship Kelly Wearstler boutique on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Hand-cultivated by Wearstler, the stylish enclave houses a curated art, fashion and design library, artisanal furniture, curiosities, one of a kind vintage pieces procured from travels around the world as well as Wearstler’s own design collections. Exclusive pieces of the designer’s collections are available at the illustrious Kelly Wearstler Boutique on the Decorative Home floor at Bergdorf Goodman in New York, and her extensive collections are sold internationally at fine boutiques, premier department stores and Wearstler’s robust online boutique kellywearstler.com.

Wearstler has published four coffee table books: Rhapsody, HUE, Domicilium Decoratus, and Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style, earning her a place on the Los Angeles Times’ bestseller list.

Standout accolades for Wearstler include Architectural Digest’s preeminent Top 100 Architecture & Interior Design list, France AD’s World’s Top Interior Designers, Elle Décor’s A-List, Wallpaper’s Top 20 Designers, Vogue’s Best Dressed list and TIME Style & Design’s elite “Design 100” group of global creatives. Wearstler served as a judge on Bravo’s popular interior design television competition series, “Top Design,” and has penned monthly style advice columns for InStyle, The Huffington Post, The Coveteur and Domaine. Her work and profiles have been featured in Vogue, Elle Décor, Architectural Digest, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Condé Nast Traveler, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, Women’s Wear Daily and The New York Times. International press includes the French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Indian editions of Architectural Digest, Elle Decoration UK, Wallpaper, Vogue Paris, Vogue China, Residence, Belle, Vogue Living, House & Garden and Hong Kong Tatler.